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Grapes
Esperanzas father is ambushed by bandits and killed while mending a fence on the farthest reaches of El Rancho de las Rosas. This makes Esperanza very sad, but she learns that she has to cope with it and keep persevering. This is similar to what Selamawi faced In "Of Beetles and Angels" when his brother Tewolde, is killed by a drunk driver. He does not want to continue with his studies, he doesn't want to do anything, but he learned to cope with it and persevere. -
Papayas
Esperanza's Uncle, Tío Luis, inherits the ranch after Esperanza's fathers death. He wants the house as well, so he offers Esperanza's mother, Ramona, a certain sum of money for the house. When Ramona says no, he offers to marry her, that way, because Ramona was respected by many people, people would elect him for governor. When Esperanza's mother refuses because Tío Luis is evil, he threatens Ramona to make life very difficult for her. Sure enough, that night, their house burns down. -
Figs
In the darkness of the night, Esperanza, her mother, Alfonso, their close friend and servant, and his wife and son, Hortensia and Miguel, flee to Zacatecas to catch a train to Los Angeles, where they will live with Alfono's brother's family, and work in the fields. On their journey, Esperanza is forced to lie down in a tight, cramped space, and wear servant's clothes, which she is not used to after living her entire life as a queen. -
Guavas
On the filthy train ride from Zacatecas to Mexicali, Esperanza asks her mother, "Why aren't we travelling in the luxurious dining cars like before?" Her mother replies, "This is all we can afford, and this is what we are, we are no longer queens, Esperanza, we are just like everybody else now?" She now realizes how much her life has changed. -
Cantaloupes
At Mexicali, they pass the border of Mexico into the US. This hits Esperanza with force, as she knows that she will never be able to go back to Mexico, or at least not for a very long time. Later, they meet with Alfonso's brother, Juan, his wife, Hortensia, Their 8 year old girl, Isabel, and two infants. Lupe and Pepe. -
Almonds
During the Almond season, Esperanza starts to get accustomed to the life there, and rather than felling pleasure at invisioning her rich times of the past like she used to when she first arrived, she feels disgust at herself after hearing about how so many other families were barely scraping by. Meanwhile, many of the farmers from the cotton farm are trying to get people to strike with them for better living conditions and wages. This is not good for the farmers at their farm because -
Onions
When Esperanza reaches the camp, she is horrified with the condtions. All five of them have to live in the same, squalid, tiny cabins. In addition, she embarrases herself by not knowing how to clean clothes or sweep. Also, she keeps believing that these living conditions and them working was temporary until her grandmother, Abuelita can come with money. This shows us how much she still believes in the fact that her life can continue as before. -
Plums
Soon, Esperanza was starting to learn how to do her jobs, and she waas finally settling in, when a huge dust storm comes. Esperanza who was near the house, is safe inside, buth the field workers were not so safe. Soon, Esperanza's mother stops eating, and has a fever. Whenthey called the doctor, the doctor said that her mother has Valley Fever, and that she could die. -
Potatoes
Esperanza also starts working in the shed in place of her mother so she could get funds to bring her grandmother to California, becuse she knew it would help her mother feel better. from the start of the book until now, esperanza has evolved a lot. She started off as a little rich princess, whos biggest concern was what dress to wear to becoming someone who worked with older women and took the responsibility of the family. -
Potatoes
Esperanza's mother's condition worsens and they take her to the hospital. Esperanza speculates how when she is stitching a blanket for her mother, she has to create mountains adn valleys. She thinks this is similar to her life, Just as her birthday is coming up her father dies, she finally has gotten to somewhat enjoy her new life and her mother falls sick. This is also similar to what Selamawi felt in "Of Beetles and Angels". Just as he is excelling in his academics, his brother dies. -
Avocados
Valley Fever made Esperanza's mother catch pneumonia, and Esperanza is told that she will not be allowed to see her mother anymore. Meanwhile, Esperanza keeps working and building up funds to bring her grandmother home. -
Asparagus
The strikers are attacking those who continue working. They hid dangerous creatures in the crops to frighten or injure the workers. The strikes were also bad for the people who kept working, because many new workers were willing work for less pay, and if there was a chance that workers might join the strike, then it would be smart to take new workers. In response, the strikers were deported to Mexico, citizens or not. Esperanza felt bad for the them but also angry because she could lose her job. -
Peaches
When Isabel isn't selected to be queen of the class for one day even though she had the best grades in the class because she isnt Mexican, and Miguel loses his job at the railroads to some Americans, Esperanzas anger gets to a boiling point and in a fit of rage, she deeply insults Miguel. The next day Miguel is gone, and he took all the money Esperanza had stored for bringing her Grandmother back. On the bright side, Esperanza's mother recovered. -
Grapes
Miguel returns to the farm and brings alon a special surprise: Esperanza's grandmother. They all celebreted her Birthday together, and Esperanza realizes that life isn't about how rich or poor you are, its about who you have to support you.
