In Esperanza Rising, the main character, a wealthy Hispanic teen,

loses her father, her house burns down, and becomes a peasant.

Also, she takes a journey across the border and goes to live on a

workers farm in California.  She learns many life lessons during her

transition. Her friends, Miguel and Isabel, help her along the way. 

But will she keep her friends close during her hard transition, you

will have to find out by reading the book.