Esperanza Rising | Teaching Key Figures

Character Descriptions

This section provides a short description of all the major characters in the book. This can be printed out as a study guide for students, used as a "key" for leading a class discussion, or you can jump to the quiz/homework section to find worksheets that incorporate these descriptions into a variety of question formats.

Characters

Esperanza - This character at first wears hand-sewn dresses but later wears second-hand dresses.

Sixto Ortega - This character is called Papi or Papa and is the epitome of a loving, caring father.

Ramona Ortega - Loving, caring, and proud, this character is a true friend to all. She is tall and elegant and has long, black hair, usually braided in a circle around her forehead.

Abuelita - By the end of the story, this character is frail but travels from Mexico to California to be with family.

Alfonso - This character eventually...
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