From the time he is a young boy, Neftalí hears the call of a mysterious voice. Even when the neighborhood children taunt him, and when his harsh, authoritarian father ridicules him, and when he doubts himself, Neftalí knows he cannot ignore the call. Under the canopy of the lush rain forest, into the fearsome sea, and through the persistent Chilean rain, he listens and he follows. . . Combining elements of magical realism with biography, poetry, literary fiction, and sensorial, transporting illustrations, Pam Muñoz Ryan and Peter Sís take readers on a rare journey of the heart and imagination. PRAISE FOR PAM MUNOZ RYAN: "Told in a lyrical, fairy tale-like style....Ryan fluidly juxtaposes world events with one family's will to survive."--Publishers Weekly, starred review, ESPERANZA RISING "Ryan writes a moving story in clear, poetic language that children will sink into, and the book offers excellent opportunities for discussion and curriculum support." --Booklist, ESPERANZA RISING "Ebullient and tautly structured....With a pacing that moves along at a gallop, this is a skillful execution of a fascinating historical tale."--Publishers Weekly, starred review, RIDING FREEDOM ADDITIONAL AWARDS AND HONORS FOR ESPERANZA RISING: -Willa Cather Award -Americas Award Honor Book -Los Angeles Times Book Prize Finalist -NYPL 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing -Smithsonian Notable Book -Children's Literature Choice List -Notable Books for a Global Society -Jefferson Cup Award - Worthy of note -Judy Goddard AZ Young Adult Author of the Year Award -Judy Lopez Memorial Award AWARDS AND HONORS FOR RIDING FREEDOM: -California Young Reader Medal winner (Intermediate Category) -IRA Teacher's Choice -Parenting Magazine "Reading Magic" Award winner -Recognition of Merit for a First Novel Award - Southern California Council on Literature for Children and Young People