Esperanza Rising has so much nonfiction to include in the novel study. In this, students will read about, analyze, and discuss the historical droughts, storms, and Valley Fever.After the family has arrived in California and started working on the farms, a dust storm hits, and Mama gets sick with Valley Fever.This activity will lead students to read some information about Valley Fever, watch some videos from the news, watch first-hand accounts of people who have had the sickness, and answer quest