Breaking Through

The second in a trilogy of memoirs from Francisco Jimenez, this focuses on California high school for Panchito, whose family brought him into the USA illegally in the middle of the 20th century, and who returned with a green card after the family was deported.

The initial portion of the book focuses on eighth grade, when the author and his fifteen year old brother lived alone picking crops and as janitors, while going to school and feeding themselves, while his parents and younger siblings stayed behind for a few more months in Mexico. I found myself surprised that anyone thought this was a good idea and not just a chance to get attention from the authorities, but apparently it was not a big deal that a couple teenagers lived alone in a show more barracks without drinking water for months on end, had jobs under the age of 16, and all the rest. I'm inclined to chalk that up to different times more than anything, but even that is quite a cultural difference.

I loved and I am worried by how many caring adults intervened in his life to guide him to the future he was able to get, and by how much is serendipity. I'm sure that a lot of that is in the narrative that Jiménez understands and tells about himself -- but even so, there is an awful lot of helping and noticing and guiding, everything from the idea that this kid who wants to be a teacher should be immediately switched to academic college prep classes rather than vocational classes, to the Spanish teacher coming to visit his parents so they could have a conversation about college, to his senior counselor calling in a favor with someone in admissions at Santa Clara University to allow Jiménez to be considered after the deadline, which he let pass because his family needed his wages just to stay afloat.

For me, this is primarily a powerful story of what caring adults can do to facilitate kids dreaming bigger and achieving their goals, and how much patience and attention are needed for success to even have a chance. show less

These books are so well written. The stories tug at your heart and being with Panchito as he grows up has been a learning experience. I love practicing my Spanish by accompanying him on his journey as a little kid migrating to this country in the 40's.

4.5****

This autobiographical novel is the sequel to Jimenez’s striking first work, chronicling his family’s life as migrant workers in late 1940s California. The novel picks up where The Circuit left off and focuses on Frankie’s junior high and high school years. A bright child, he worked to help support his family and worked doubly hard at his studies with the dream of becoming a teacher.

It is a story about perseverance and determination, about the cruel realities of poverty in this land of plenty, about the value of a good education, and about opportunity extended by those who recognized something special in a child.

Jimenez doesn’t call these books memoirs, though they rely heavily on his own experiences. He must rely on show more sketchy memories of his youth, and obviously had to create dialogue that, while true to the essence of what was occurring in the story cannot possibly be completely accurate; and so he calls his works fiction. The novels are written so that they are accessible for the middle-school student, but have sufficient depth to be enjoyed by adults. show less

This sequel to the author's original book The Circuit outlines the true life story of Jimenez and his immigrant family. At the age of 14, just when things were looking better, his family was caught by immigration authorities and sent back to Mexico.

Through sheer tenacity, they passed required tests and were allowed back into the states. Continuing to live in grinding, never ending, gritty poverty, the family worked together to find a way to survive.

Very intelligent, bright, and determined, Francisco excelled at school. Through his hard work and dedication, he graduated from high school, and with the help of excellent teachers/mentors who cared, was able to apply and receive scholarship for college.

He went on to receive both his masters show more degree and his Ph D from Columbia University. The book cover states he is the Fay Boyle Professor of Modern Language and Literature, and director of the ethnic studies program at Santa Clara University.

I couldn't help but route for this young man! Never giving up, always determined, eyes of the prize, he is a shining example of success. show less

Writer/ Professor Francisco Jiménez writes about his teenage years living in a labor camp, facing deportation, and wanting to excel in high school. From picking carrots to thinning lettuce, and working custodial jobs, Jiménez succeeds in school, becomes student body president, and teaches himself to dance. He must help his family of 6 by working after his father becomes ill and depressed. He remembers in sharp detail employers, teachers, and guidance counselors who helped him along the way.

Personal response:

This book (by one of my favorite CA authors)is a fictionalized account of his college years as an illegal immigrant who has overcome a hard childhood and been accepted at a prestigous university. His struggles with money and acceptance while worrying about his father's failing health and his family's financial problems make it difficult for him, but the story ends with a graduation celebration and his leaving for New York with a fellowship at Columbia. Photos are included.

Cirriculum/programming connections:

This timely work ought certainly to be included in a reading list or display of books covering border issues, young people overcoming struggles to acheive academic goals, or Latino Profiles of success.

I think this is a great book to learn about immigrant culture and how hard it is to come to a new country. I think many of my students could benefit from seeing what their parents went though to bring them here.