The Circuit Graphic Novel

by Francisco Jiménez, Celia Jacobs (Illustrator)

Poignantly told from a young boy’s perspective, this popular and award-winning memoir centered on a Mexican family working California’s fields is now a powerful graphic novel. 

An honest and evocative account of a family’s journey from Mexico to the fields of California—and to a life of backbreaking work and constant household moves—as seen through the eyes of a boy who longs for education and the right to call one place home. A popular choice for community reads, as well as school curricula and curriculum adoptions, Francisco Jiménez’s award-winning memoir, now brought to life in Celia Jacob’s beautiful and resonant artwork, is a powerful story of survival, faith, and hope. 

Genres: Graphic Novels, Memoir, Middle Grade, Nonfiction, Biography, Comics, Childrens

240 pages, Paperback

Published March 12, 2024

About the author

Francisco Jimenez emigrated from Tlaquepaque, Mexico, to California, where he worked for many years in the fields with his family. He received both his master's degree and his Ph.D. from Columbia University and is now chairman of the Modern Languages and Literature Department at Santa Clara University, the setting of much of Reaching Out. He is the award-winning author of The Circuit, Breaking Through, La Mariposa, and his newest memoir, Reaching Out. He lives in Santa Clara, California, with his family.

Author photo courtesy of Santa Clara University.

Reviews

[Haylee Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I finally read this whole memoir after using “Inside Out” as a mentor text in my classroom! So cool that it’s become a graphic novel and the illustrations are beautiful. This is a heartbreaking but also hopeful memoir. Love!

[vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just went back to see when I read the original book this graphic novel is adapted from and it's been 7 years since I read it... what?! I prefer the original The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child, a truly beautiful ode to being a child in a migrant family that is often moving for better opportunities. The beautiful thing about the original and this adaptation is how we view the world through a child's innocent eyes. I think that is Jimenez's goal and it's well-accomplished. These are stories that intertwine but don't follow a neat storyline. I think this also worked better in the original. I'm thinking of the reason for this to be a graphic novel, is it to reach a new audience of children, though it's not in the YA section (the original typically is)? Will elementary children pick up slow-moving, coming-of-age short stories?

[Andrew Eder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t think I’d like this as much as I did while reading it, but when I finished the last story I was really sad that it was over. I wasn’t ready. I think I really grew to love this kid and his story overtime. The stories hit different, some happy, some sad, and some without any closure, and I really liked all of those different elements coexisting in this persons experience.

I liked this so much I looked up reading the actual stories!!

[Scott Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A graphic novel version on Francisco Jimenez's novel memoir about growing up in an migrant family.
This was a great book and broke my heart to read. I am sure that I would enjoy the original novel version even more. I wish people could realize what it takes for food to be put on our tables at a reasonable price. God bless the migrant workers in America! They are a backbone of our society that do not get a fraction of the pay or respect they deserve .

[Diana Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great stories of growing up in a family of migrant workers in California - but many were left unfinished. I would have liked more of a linear plot and stories to be tied up before moving on to the next chapter. Even if the tie-up was "And then we moved and I never saw Mr. again..." The ending is also a big cliff-hanger.

3.5 stars, rounded up

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A MG graphic memoir adapted from the author’s adult memoir released in 1996.
🌾
Francisco Jimenez offers a poignant and vivid portrayal of his family’s arduous journey from Mexico to the labor fields of California. Through the eyes of a young boy who yearns for an education and a permanent home, this narrative captures the relentless toil and frequent relocations that defined their lives.
🍃
The chapters are broken up into individual stories that sometimes don’t get resolved and end a bit abruptly, but the impact this story has will resonate with so many of our migrant worker families and immigrant students. Migrant workers are the backbone of our society who don’t get enough pay or respect they deserve. If you like this one, also read Just Another Story: A Graphic Migration Account.

CW: racism, classism, bullying, immigration issues, harsh working conditions

[McKenzy Hupke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic memoirs continue to be one of my very favorite kinds of graphic novels and this is no different.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of course the original has more detail and is important to read, but I really enjoyed this adaptation. I think it’s an accessible read for students. I wish I could find a Spanish translation of it.

[Yessenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the daughter of a Mexican immigrant, so many of the things discussed in this book are actual stories my dad has told me! He worked on cotton fields and any other job he could find. It’s such a beautiful and heart wrenching story of the lives of many people. I actually got this for my daughter who’s 10. She loved it and told me to try it myself. I’m so glad I did!

[baileys.bookshelf__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does an amazing job bringing the reader in immediately - relating to the internal dialogue that the main protagonist has.

Especially knowing that this is someone’s life story! It really made all of the ending sections that much more powerful!

This book gave me a look into a first hand perspective of being part of a migrant family navigating finding work, school, and just childhood friendships.

*chefs kiss*

One of the top 3 graphic novel memoirs I’ve read.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great adaptation but feels rather disjointed and I'm not sure if it was the same in the book (as that's life) or if it was just for the graphic novelization.

[Arlecia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not to make light, but I look at the supermarket's fruits and vegetables differently now.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ends with an epic cliff hanger, so I’m hoping the sequel is available in graphic novel format.

[Hal Schrieve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rare to find an adaptation of a biography for teens and adults that's directed to children, but the author is a child for the duration of the story-- and this is a really beautifully designed graphic novel. I would add the caveat that like a lot of graphic novels for kids, this one is printed TOO SMALL. This is about publishers rather than artists-- there seems to be an agreement among US publishers that kids won't possibly ever want to read anything printed larger than 8.5x5.5, and I think that' just not true-- and the result is the font is too small to read easily in a lot of these books. Anyway, the color palette here is amazing and effectively used, and I love the mix of highly-researched visual specificity in terms of the habitations the family is living in and the kind of cars and buildings they're interacting with in 1940s california-- really strong sense of place-- and the way flames and butterflies and flowers recur as motifs and are often used to evoke prayer and magic at the point that those things enter the story. Upsetting and also interesting for young readers, this makes a part of American past and present-- the use of child labor to harvest crops in the 20th century and today-- visible. The role of educators in reinforcing or resisting the dehumanization of our protagonist/author is also made really clear, particularly the cooperation of the white teacher in his deportation at the end of the story. A pretty, very informative GN, great for middle school.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was to be their ticket out of poverty. Papa’s eyes sparkled with excitement while his brother was thrilled to be leaving Mexico, it was too much work just to survive there. Roberto wanted what the states had to offer, their cousin had filled their heads with everything that Roberto had dreamt about, he was tired of just surviving. Panchito looked forward to this new adventure.

His parents planned out the trip, all the details finalized. The train ride to California was exciting and uneventful. Their parents knew exactly where to enter the state of California, as the family secretly climbed under a fence undetected. In California, their ride was waiting for them, so things were going according to plan. It was now time to find the camp which would be their new home. A camp which was the home to many and would keep them safe, for now.

I really enjoyed reading this graphic novel as it gave an excellent account of how this young boy’s life was. As this migrant family works, the author shows the reader the struggles that they faced and the relationships that they created. It was interesting how they also viewed the United States. An eye-opening read. The illustrations were nicely down and the text boxes were not too busy. 5 stars

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of a mid-20th C. migrant family from Mexico told through the eyes of Panchito, one of several kids in his family. The struggle was to make money to live and feed the family, not uncommon from the struggle both before and after Panchito’s time. The family moved as one unit, the mother often pregnant or caretaking the young kids while also preparing meals for the men and boys who worked in the fields. The field hands would move with the season or the need for employees depending on what was slightly more lucrative or convenient. Grape pickers, strawberry pickers, cotton pickers, lettuce pickers, all were needed. Along the way, Panchito experienced the uncomfortable existence of being a Spanish only speaker immersed in an English speaking classroom. His education was split between real life experiences and spotty attendance at whatever local public school was available. His transience and language barriers were difficult obstacles to overcome, achieved only through grit and determination, a love of learning, and a supporting cast of guardian angels. The story is literally part of our 7th grade ELA unit on adversity, and I am certain it rings true, particularly for my co-taught block with the EL group. Converted well into a graphic novel with little to no fluff.

[jessica]

i picked this up on a whim at a local library, as i stared into space trying to focus on work. graphic novels have always held a special place in my heart, shaping a lot of my childhood memories. as part of coming of age, though, i somehow moved away from them, and these days, i seem to have trouble processing both the visuals and the words in a graphic novel at the same time -- my eyes don't quite know where to focus.

but the more graphic novels i encounter, the more i realize that reading them is an experience akin to listening to opera or watching ballet. sensorily speaking, a lot is going on, and perhaps the key to appreciation is to recognize and accept that my senses know where to focus on without my conscious interference. to this end, the circuit has one of the most beautiful color palettes, and combined with the softness of its illustrations, my heart aches for the family.

[Agd]

11.12.24. 7+. Southern California in 1950s. Based on 97 memoir.

Francisco's family dreams of escaping poverty of their small Mexican town. So when the opportunity to go 'under the wire' comes along, Francisco's parents and his 3 siblings take it. They sneak into California and being working 'the circuit.' They do seasonal work (strawberries, grapes, cotton, etc.) to just make enough money to get by. Yes, they're trapped in poverty. Yes, they are exploited for their labor. Yes, there are health scares like when Francisco's newborn baby brother nearly dies. But there's also beauty in Fransisco's art. Community in the friendships he makes at the many schools he attends. And hope in the education that may just lift Francisco and his siblings out of poverty. An emotional, sincere read. Highly episodic reads more like collection of short stories.

[Morgan the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a brilliant adaptation of Jiménez's memoir, which I've since gone and read through some of the stories. It follows its source material well, which is also split into stories. Some reviews I read found the stories disjointed, but I felt they read into the next very well while still finding new focuses with young Francisco. It ends as the book does, from what I can tell, leading up to his memoir Breaking Through.
I think this is an excellent story to introduce young readers to how hard migrant workers work to support their families and themselves. I felt it showed these characters in a way that invites compassion and understanding for all people, and it being published for young readers feels important in these times. Wonderful!

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Graphic novel adaptation of Jimenez's first memoir. There isn't really a narrative here. Instead, it's a collection of anecdotes from Jimenez's childhood as a migrant worker. It's a quiet look at a life of the extremely hard working poor. I believe it will appeal to the young target audience, some of whom will recognize themselves or their families in these stories. The art is simplified without being simple, with a vivid color palette. I think that really helps in a book like this. Like a lot of adaptations, it's a little on the wordy side, so the colorful and streamlined art helps keep the eye moving.

[Katie Kaste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Francisco Jimenez grew up on the Circuit of migrant farm workers. They traveled from Southern California up to Northern California with the crops. Each time the children would get comfortable in school, they would move to the next school. Finding teachers here and there who would help them learn English. The children have to move with the family because they don't have other family in the US. This is a common tale where I live. I have worked with many students who are only with us from October to April. It is hard to be attached when you are constantly moving. This is a wonderful graphic novel and I want the second half to come out soon.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of a review of graphic novels to add to our curriculum. This is a poignant story of a migrant family trying their very best to achieve the American Dream, reminiscent of Grapes of Wrath. The original story upon which this graphic novel is based is one of a series and ends on a cliffhanger, so this one does as well. While I really enjoyed the story, I did want some sort of resolution. I think this will make it hard for our students to fully appreciate. That said, it is a hard but hopeful tale enhanced by the visuals, which clearly shows the struggles many families have had to endure in coming to the United States.

[Kayla Zabcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

80%

snapshots of specific poignant memories and events of an illegal immigrant who grew up working the Californian crop fields throughout the 50s. it ended a bit abruptly and without explanation, which may have been intentional to capture the feeling of panic and not knowing he likely felt when immigration picked him up, but an afterword or something letting readers know what happened would've been nice.

this would be a good book for classes to read in schools when learning about memoirs/autobiographies, because it's very relevant, even today

[Erin]

A nice adaptation of an existing memoir. The difficult part of a memoir like this is it's serial nature: the first episode stops an an absolute cliffhanger, and I'm wondering whether there will be graphic novel adaptations for each book in the series.

The tone is understated and straightforward, relating the struggles of his father, the specter of immigration officials, a variety of bullies, and his highs and lows in school. Francisco's story does not ask for sympathy, but it's hard not to feel it among an endless litany of challenges.

[fer_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I really appreciated Jimenez’s attempt to shed light on the life of an immigrant field worker, this memoir felt a bit disjointed. I think many of us can relate to seeing our parents work hard and sacrifice so much to give us a brighter, better future. But, not many, can relate to having to work while still a child in school. I really liked how he showed the good, the bad, and the ugly of growing up in these circumstances. It was raw and honest. And, although, heartbreaking at times, I think it’s a reality that needs to be shared.

4 ⭐️

[Fiore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though Jimenez's family came to California for a better life a great deal of the story reminds me of George Takei's They Call Us Enemy (about life in an Japanese internment camp). The focus of trying to survive, build a family, and even make living in an inhospitable environment welcoming to children. Despite racism and an initial inability to communicate there's something gentle in Francisco's love of language and school. The bright spot that allowed him to see there is more to life.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly excellent graphic novel adaptation about a young boy whose father works in the fields of Central California during the first half of the 20th century. I didn’t realize when I picked this up it was adapted from an earlier text but I’m going to check the stories out now.

The narrative is not contiguous, it’s slices of the author’s life, but I feel like this format works well. The art for this is very well done as well.

[Elly Sloman · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I did not realize this was an adaptation of a memoir until I got to the end, I was not familiar with the source material. This graphic novel tells a heartbreaking yet important story about immigrant workers. This story is just as important to read now than it was when the original was published. The art is expressive and brings life to the text, conveying feelings that words cannot. The ending was ABRUPT. I hope to see future books in the series adapted in the future.

[Liv CG · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
More like a series of vignettes than a typical (graphic) memoir. I thought it was great, very impactful. I’m not sure how it will land with students, who are used to more neat story arcs.
Beautiful illustrations, and I especially loved the unique way English words were portrayed (as incomprehensible, to them).

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic novel adaptation of the author’s first volume in his memoirs. Jimenez grew up in a family of migrant farm workers who followed the crops (the circuit) to find work in California while avoiding immigration officers and attending school only sporadically. It was a hard life and a story that deserves to be told.