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A work of art all students should read. My students were begging to read this book after reading Jimenez's first book The Circuit. My 8th graders loved the story and can't get enough of Panchito and his family.
This autobiographical account relates the struggles the family encountered during Jimenez's early years in school. Would the family be deported or would they be allowed to stay in the U.S. I am an ESL teacher who works with 7th and 8th grade, primarily male, Latino and Hmong students. Everytime Francisco would start to feel "at home" in a school, the crop would be harvested and they would have to move to the next farm, hence the name The Circuit. He shows that hard work and determination lead to success. The older children and the parents picked fruit, vegetables, and cotton. My students were anxious to find out what happened next.
The books have spawned a multitude of conversations that have bonded us together. We first read The Circuit which told about Francisco Jimenez's family's first years as migrant farm workers in the United States. To find out we then read the second book, Breaking Through, which we are about half way through now and we're still enjoying every chapter. The family moved according to the agricultural schedule in California. The story ends when La Migra comes to pick up Francisco and his older brother at school. The kids can relate to Jimenez's life and he is a role model to them. Personally I think everyone who is interested in immigration questions should read these books.
This book gave me a real insight as to how our migrant children really live. Thank You.
Despite living in the land of freedom and opportunities, the family has to work hard in order to survive. It's also a story of one finding one's own identity in America. However, they were able to get papers and return. They were soon caught, after a time, and deported back. I bought *Breaking Through* without realizing that it was a sequel to *The Circuit*. Coming from a Hispanic family, I found myself nodding and taking strolls in memory lane. However, she often substituted in their work when needed.*Breaking Through* is a story of a family working together. The mother stayed home and took care of the children.
You'll cry. Francisco is loving school yet struggled to stay on top as he also has to work. Nonetheless, you aren't lost if you start with *Breaking Through* I loved this memoir because it was one of the best portrayal of a migrant family.This memoir chronicled the life of Francisco Jimenez from the time that him and his family entered America from Mexico to his entrance into college.The Jimenez family saved up some money and entered into Mexico illegally. It's also a story of one trying to achieve the American dream.You'll laugh. They worked in strawberry fields, lettuce patches and cleaned buildings. His older brother did well in school but worked nearly as much as their often-ill father did. If you don't understand the Mexican culture, you'll find yourself puzzled at some things. Overall, it's easy reading for a great book.
Why is it a sad book. No one to help them, and struggled to keep food on the table.There also was a very good setting. There are many different places. Like school, fields, gas company, Twitchel and Twitchel. The obstacles are not easy for Francisco and his family. He works and goes to school, also trying to keep his grades up.
This book is a good book because of the Theme, believable charters, and a nice setting.The theme is, heart breaking. It's heart breaking since a boy and his family have to face many difficult obstacles. Book Review on Breaking Through Hi, this book Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez is a sad book. Also nice believable charters that do things that you could relate to. They where confused because they didn't have money. The setting took place in many different places. So if you like heart breaking novels then this is the book for you.
So the whole family except mom and the youngest ones have to work.Besides the heart breaking theme there are nice believable charters. A boy named Francisco struggles through life trying to keep his family together. So that means that the family is all over the places.So this book has a great theme. They have to pay bills but they don't have any money. The charters sometimes where confused. Wonderful setting that makes you feel like your there watching it all happing. The End
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