Had a hard time with this one. Is everything our fault? ( )

This book painted a very realistic picture of what it would be like to try to cross the border into the United States. Victor Flores is a believable character, a somewhat cautious teenager who is compelled to make it to el Norte to work and provide for his family back in Mexico. I feel I have a better understanding of the challenges faced by Mexicans who embark upon this journey, as well as an idea of what a border town must be like. Descriptions of the deserts Victor crosses make me want to visit the southwestern part of the U.S. again; it has been some time since I have traveled there.

Curricular connections: Middle level students could use Crossing the Wire to spark conversation about and research regarding immigration issues and troubles in border towns. Living in Montana, we are rather removed from these situations. A study about how many Mexicans enter the U.S. illegally, the causes for them to want to leave Mexico in the first place, and what it takes for them to become legal U.S. citizens would be very educational for students (and for me)! ( )

Fifteen-year-old Victor Flores travels north in a desperate attempt to cross the Arizona border and find work in the United States to support his family in central Mexico.

This is a moving story and puts you into the feet of all young people coming into the U.S. hoping to support their struggling family. ( )

Victor Flores leads a desperately hard life with his family in a Mexican village. His father died several years before in an accident while working construction across the border. Victor struggles to support his family and be the man of the house but no matter how hard he works, it becomes impossible to make ends meet. He decides to go acrosst he border, like his dad used to do, and work to send money home to his mother and siblings.

The story of Victor puts a human element into the contemporary issues of illegal imimigration today without taking a political stand. All sides are touched on and provides readers with realistic material that is sure to inspire deep thinking about the issue. A great read for young readers who are learning about the world we live in today. ( )