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Beyond the Gardens Kindle Edition

by Sandra C. Lopez (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
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At the age of 18, Esperanza Ignacio begins her college years at an upscale Los Angeles art school, where she studies to fulfill her long-term dream in Animation. But she soon learns the truth to the old folktale: “you can take the girl out of the barrio, but you can’t take the barrio out of the girl.” Even though she’s getting financial aid, Esperanza works a part-time job during her break from classes just to make ends meet. Her roommate, Anna, is what she calls a “chicana from Beverly Hills” because of the rich daddy and the new car she got for her quinceañera.

Things get a little confusing for Esperanza when an old friend comes looking for her, hoping to start a meaningful relationship. But is Carlos the right guy for her? She never even considered him to be anything more than a friend since high school. Then comes Jake, a gorgeous mechanic, who shares her passion for books and loves her for who she is. What’s a girl to do?

Strength and determination help pave the way for the future. And, as she approaches her graduation, she is faced with a difficult decision: should she leave Los Angeles and leave behind her family, her home, and everything she’s known? Ever since she was born in the California barrio of Hawaiian Gardens, she’s always had to look over the fence, wondering what she’s been missing. Now she’s taking a flying leap over to see what’s beyond the little barrio. What’s beyond her family, her friends, and her past? What’s beyond the little nothing town, where dreams don’t exist? What’s beyond The Gardens? Is it life, love, a future? The story of Esperanza is finally concluded in this wildly entertaining and heart-warming sequel.
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  1. Print length
    433 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    June 2, 2014
  5. File size
    2584 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is a sequel to Ms Lopez's first book Esperanza: A Latina Story. In book one we meet and observe the poverty, drugs, gangs, domestic abuse that takes place in the ghettos. This story has a different focus. It is filled with love, laughter and amazing characters. We all have a dream it's what we do with it that matters. Mark down the name Sandra Lopez. You will be hearing it frequently in the future." - Readers Favorite


"Sandra Lopez's sequel to Esperanza--Beyond the Gardens-- reacquaints the reader with a compelling character, Esperanza, her barrio past and her college present,as she struggles to get an education and find her identity. A heartwarming storythat young, female teens will enjoy!" --Donna Del Oro - Author of Operation Familia and Hasta La Vista, Baby

"Readers can't help but cheer Esperanza on as she finds out what life is like Beyond the Gardens. Funny, smart, and heartfelt--all that you want in an inspiring story." --Margo Candela - Author of Underneath it all and More than this



"It's not easy to figure out who you want to be, especially if you're a chica from the barrio. With a crazy family and un amigo, who has suddenly decided hewants her, brainy college student, Esperanza, finds herself having to make sometough decisions. In this humorous and sweet novel, Lopez brings us lovable characters we want to root for from page one. Don't miss it!"--Lara Rios -Author of Becoming Latina in 10 Easy Steps



"An emerging Latina voice, Sandra Lopez continues to inspire with her latest work, Beyond the Gardens. Her words are soulful and her images resonate with passion and humor."--Ray Michael Baca -Author of Brotherhood of the Light



"In Beyond the Gardens, Esperanza Ignacio confronts a new world with humor and humility. With peppy dialogue and energetic prose, Sandra C. Lopez brings us a story of a young girl's strength and determination. As candid as it is entertaining, Beyond the Gardens leaves us all with a sense of hope."--T. M. Spooner - Author of The Salvation of La Purísima and Notes from Exile

About the Author

Sandra C. López is one of today's influential Latina authors in Young Adult literature. Her first novel, Esperanza: A Latina Story, was published in March 2008 WHILE she was still in college. Shortly after that, she wrote the follow up title, Beyond the Gardens, starring her inspirational heroine. Now, this young writer is a full graduate of Cal State University Fullerton with a BFA in the arts. She was named as one of "2011 Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch" by Latino Stories.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00KQPXTZW
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 2, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2584 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 433 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1092969799
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

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  1. Sandra C. Lopez

    Sandra C. Lopez

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    Sandra Lopez is considered one of today's influential Latina writers in young adult literature.Her first novel, "Esperanza," a teen fiction novel, was published in March 2008 WHILE she was still in college! "Beyond the Gardens," is the sequel to her engaging and inspirational heroine, Esperanza.

    She travels as much as she can and is currently at work on her next book.

    To find out more about her books, please visit her website at www.sandra-lopez.com

    See more on the author's page
  2. sandra lopez

    sandra lopez

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    Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

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Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
51 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

EB
4.0 out of 5 stars A story with heart
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2020
Verified Purchase
Esperanza has arrived at college, a first-generation college attendee, and one of few college students (if any) emerging from her southern California barrio, Hawaiian Gardens (which was anything *but* the image the name suggests) to tackle higher education.

I'll admit right here I don't usually read young adult novels, and my comments might reflect that. I was, for example, surprised at the length of the novel and thought it could be trimmed with some helpful editing -- some scenes weren't necessary and dialogue too realisic (there are fictional "cheats" more experienced writers employ to simulate real conversation). Some grammar issues and a few marred sentences walked the line between charming and distracting, another reason a good editor could have helped this novel.

The characters carried this story -- anyone who doesn't care what happens to Esperanza is heartless, and anyone who doesn't root for Jake to win her heart wouldn't know a good guy if he slew a dragon to save her. Esperanza's family, especially her mother, are expertly drawn, coming through as genuine and flawed, which makes them believable.

Though I was tempted to skip through parts of this book, I hung with it. Lopez brings more heart to her story than I've found in most of the books I've read, making this a refreshing, uplifting reading experience.
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DAUNTLESS-SECRETS OF THE ANDES
5.0 out of 5 stars Funny, witty, endearing!
Reviewed in the United States on August 15, 2023
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First off, the mom in this novel is hilarious! She's cleverly developed, as were all the main characters with the majority of them being absolutely charming. The dialogue was snappy, amusing and always engaging. I laughed out loud a number of times...which for me, makes any book purchase worth it!

It's also refreshing to see an author construct the tough life-choices of a young girl coming of age without being grim and monotonous about it. Esperanza (our heroine) is a drama-free zone and remains wonderfully down to earth as she sorts conflicts of her past with her hopes of the future. Born in a neighborhood where only the brightest overcome, she holds to an unrelenting focus that leaves her 'love interests' both frustrated and enamored. She pushes through barriers to triumph in a tough academic world in spite of men, bad teachers, economic hardship, and of course, well-meaning family and friends. She balances it all with empathy, and principles making her one of the most endearing protagonists in YA literature I've seen in a while. She's undeniably ambitious, but forever kind and which is probably why she is named 'Esperanza'.
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Kayla Hicks
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2020
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I felt this book had a good story line. It would be a good read for young adults and teenagers starting college as it helps relate with the feelings of new situations and coming of age stories.

I enjoyed the type of friend ships she had and how the character was able to show her emotions well for the reader.

I would reccomend for young adult, New adult readers.
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A. Abboud
5.0 out of 5 stars A Story of Unexpected Beauty and Integrity
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2020
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Esperanza. Hope. There is life beyond the familiar, beyond the barrios, beyond fear, exhaustion, hard times. Sandra C. Lopez’s Beyond the Gardens is one of the sweetest, most hopeful stories I’ve ever read. It’s simply beautiful.

What’s even more extraordinary is that it rings of reality, too. This isn’t a story about a sexy executive secretary and her billionaire boss finding their happily ever after. It isn’t the story of a tormented celebrity who gets stranded with the girl next door and falls deeply in love. It’s real romance, which isn’t at all about how many ways they can have sex.

Life is never simple. As Esperanza Ignacio pushes herself through her last semesters of college, she meets each challenge head on. She’s not a drama queen. There’s no unnecessary or aggravating angst. But there are enough twists and turns in this book and enough vibrant characters to keep you turning the pages. You want – you desperately want – to see a happy ending.

I’m not going to say anything about the hero in this story. I don’t want to give it away. But read this book. You’ll be so glad you did.

I’ll leave you with a quote that, incidentally, comes at the end of the book.

"She is the flower that keeps on growing from a pot of dirt; and she will continue spreading her beautiful petals no matter how hard the rain pours down on her. She is strength and determination; she is everybody’s hope."

It’s just that beautiful. Don’t miss Beyond the Gardens.
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Amazon Customer
2.0 out of 5 stars Needs Editing
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2021
Verified Purchase
Couldn't get past the grammatical errors. DNF
2 people found this helpful
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DogLover
4.0 out of 5 stars A Cute Story
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2021
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I love the central themes in this book: identity, struggling with what it means to be different, and not changing when it’s clear people expect you to. Esperanza had a lot thrown at her, and she fought her fear and her nature to make everyone happy to decide what was best for her.

Personally, I thought the story line with Carla and Carlos should have ended sooner. They represented the insecurity she felt being a Latina in a non Latin community and when she overcame the blondes insults, it meant way more than that super mean letter.

After reading Single Chicas, this author has grown a lot and I’d love to see her go back and bring her new skills to this story.
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Catherine
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Enjoyable Book!
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2022
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Beyond the Gardens is an intriguing story, especially for young adults and teenagers starting college. The book shares the challenges and successes Esperanza faces as she transitions from life in the barrio to attending art college and finding out who she is in the world.

Sandra Lopez has written an excellent read for young adults and older teens who are starting college or leaving home for the first time.

Well done!
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Top reviews from other countries

AlwaysReading
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 27, 2022
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I thought this was a good coming-of-age drama with shades of romance, which, to me, is part of growing up.

When anyone is thrust into a different lifestyle, it's not easy fitting in. College is particularly hard if you are away from home, have mountains of assignments and trying to make new friends. Was this a good idea, do I want to be here, I miss home, should I go back... questions that must be swirling.

There were themes such as identity, love, the past and the future - how brave are we to move forward? Is it the right choice? I liked those dilemmas and the reasons behind the choices.

The setting was okay, and though I didn't go to an American college, it can't be that must different regarding its alien feeling. It's for a younger age group but I still remember the awkwardness of growing up and 'boys' and so many decisions to make.

The romance side was portrayed in all its 'what're the right choices' and I enjoyed the smidgeon of humour.

Overall, I think many would like this story and could learn from it.
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