Jesse

by Gary Soto, Robert Ramirez (Narrator)

Two Mexican American brothers hope that junior college will help them escape their heritage of tedious physical labor.

Genres: Young Adult, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Cultural, Family, Teen

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Gary Soto is the author of eleven poetry collections for adults, most notably New and Selected Poems, a 1995 finalist for both the Los Angeles Times Book Award and the National Book Award. His poems have appeared in many literary magazines, including Ploughshares, Michigan Quarterly, Poetry International, and Poetry, which has honored him with the Bess Hokin Prize and the Levinson Award and by featuring him in the interview series Poets in Person. He has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation. For ITVS, he produced the film “The Pool Party,” which received the 1993 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Film Excellence. In 1997, because of his advocacy for reading, he was featured as NBC’s Person-of-the-Week. In 1999, he received the Literature Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, the Author-Illustrator Civil Rights Award from the National Education Association, and the PEN Center West Book Award for Petty Crimes. He divides his time between Berkeley, California and his hometown of Fresno.

Reviews

[Lesly Adame · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Jesse" is a novel about a boy named jesse and his brother Abel living together during Cesar Chavez times.This book also takes place in Frenso,California.He's only 19 years old.He moves out because he's tired of living with his mom(not speaking up for her self) and stepdad(being a jerk).Their dad died when they were little boys in a job inciddent.He now has to worry about community college and farm working at the same time.Him and his brother both work together to get the rent paid off.He meets new people and friends that lead him through different roads/paths and help him experience new things.Everything changes when bad news comes towards the end.His life and everything else is left in question.I would recommend this book to someone else.This book can relate to many people,it gives them a sense of reality.By reality I mean life of a immmigrant/mexican worker during their worst deppression.It gives many good examples of a mexican worker and what they go through. What I dislike about the book is that things dont come out the way you want them to. If somthing good was about to happen to him it had to be ruined somehow.What I do like about the book is that I can relate to it in alot of ways .I also like that I know and believe that what he goes through is true because of some of the events that happen in the story.The message this book tries to tell us is invalid because there's alot of them.Many involve around life and humans interacting with eachother and the basics of life.One theme in this book that really stands out is, "things dont come out the way you want them to." By reading the book you can see what I mean.

[Irving · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book called Jesse by Gary Soto is a good book. The main characters that will pop up in tha book are Jesse, Abel(brother),Glenda,his mom, and Leslie.This story happen in the 1960's, while Cesar Chavez was protesting for the Workers United Union. The settings this book has Fresno, Pismo beach,community college, mom house, their apartment. Somethings that happend in this book are very interesting. First, is they moved out of their mom house into their own apartment. Next, Jesse drops out of highschool an decided to go to college with Abel. Third when it was spring break they decided to go to Pismo Beach to hang out their the entire beach. Finally Abel gets a letter from the military. I personaly think this book is good, not one of Gary Soto best but in the top. I will recommenmd this book to people who like to read a lot or that like Gary Soto books. Next, I like this book because it descrips the past of some of the during the 60's. Also, I like it because I could see Jesse being an artist. On the other hand i think Jesse is good but could of deffenetly use more detail.

[naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read this book when i was a little girl, and i loved it so so much. i will probably reread it again to see if i still like it as much as before 🥲

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the books that the Common Core recommended. I wonder why it comes so highly recommended. It has a lexile score of only 900. the book it would replace for me, Ask Me No Questions, has a lexile of 790. So it is a little higher, but....
This book would be controversial in my school. It talks about sneaking in to buy beer underage. It has scenes about kissing, and talks about girls. My class would be blushing and giggling and I wouldn't be able to contain them. It also has a lot of religion in it. The boy in the book is very religious and feels bad when he does things that are wrong, which is good. The book starts out with this: "I knew God was found in prayer, not in the sudden closing of the hallway door just as you stepped from the bathroom. But when I was a boy with squares of black space instead of baby teeth, when the door closed with a sigh, I though, That's God. God made that happen."
The story tells of two boys in the late sixties or early seventies who leave home and a drunk step father to live on their own in order to go to school and find a better life. They do go to school, and date. The picture painted is bleak, and I'm sure very true. To get money these boys work in the fields on the weekends just to buy the ramen noodles they eat the rest of the week. The older boy gets drafted and has to go to fight in the Vietnam war. The younger boy, Jesse, goes to a couple of rallies/protests for The United Farm Workers, a group trying to gain rights for Mexican migrant workers, and becomes pretty scared when fights break out. He wants to be an artist and draws a picture of farm workers that is good.
I had a hard time understanding all of the words in the book. I needed a guide to read it. Many of the words are Spanish, and even with my years of Spanish classes, I didn't know them. Other words are slang words for things, and I didn't know them either. There isn't a glossary in the back of the book. There would be lots to discuss with the topics introduced in the book, if students could get past the sex, and alcohol scenes.

I am going to note here some other books I've looked at, but not fully read for the Common Core.
One liked by many Salt Lake teachers was called Across The Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Kristiana Gregory (lexile- 940) I only read parts of this book. I'm sure it's a lovely story. It's told by a girl through her journal. It's a Dear America series, which I think is a great series. I just know that I don't love the book. I have to love it to teach it.
Another that I could write the same thing about is this: The Great Railraod Race by Kristiana Gregory (lexile 970) ditto
I also checked out Jessie De La Cruz by Gary Soto-- This is a nonfiction book that is very interesting about a united farm worker. It looked very boring as I saw it through the eyes of my seventh graders. I want them to like reading. Maybe one chapter as an extra resource would work.
Another title I looked at was The Struggle to be Stong--True Stories by Teens about overcoming tough times. I thought that this book would work with my You can Make a Difference Theme. But, no. This book talks about themes I don't want my class thinking about. Yes, these kids had hard times and they got over them, but kids around here don't have the same issues as these teens. Maybe I'll use one chapter.

So, I'm getting fed up with suggestions from Common Core people. I'm just going to update my own good books by adding non-fiction stories to go with them. Maybe. We'll see. What I need is a fun read right now. I need to stop thinking about school everyday of my summer.

[Jessica Blanco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse is a noval about a young boy and his oldder brother have some strugles. The young boy is named Jesse and his brother name is Abel. Their step father always complained about Jesse's hair. His hair is long even Abel's hair too. They both moved out of their parents home. They both live together they both pay the rent they split it in half. They live in a town named Fresno.Jesse and Abel have a job their job is to cut cotton. That takes your energy away mostly all the time when they go home. They both work really hard for a living. They dont have papers like Americans do. They have hard times because they are mexicans. They both go to a community college. Jesse wants to be a famous artist and Abel want to be a traveler. They made a lot of effort going to a community college. They worked really hard to succsed to go to college. Jesse Is barely 17 years-old imagne a kid at that age goinq to college. They meet a wonderful girl named Glenda she has a baby she is the oweners daughter. She is barely 23 years-old she starts to like Abel but Jesse gets jeauols because Jesse has only him in his life. Everything changed when Jesse's friend Leslie starts to like Glenda. They went to the movies with Abel and Leslie went to the movies with Glenda and Manerra. Jesse got stuck taking care of Larry Glendas baby. After, all that happen Abel a letter..... I would recommend this to someone because people go through this sometimes. I liked how Jesse is very nice and honest. He always helps someone if they need help. The part I didn't like the most was the step-father because he treats them like if they are trash or a toy. He drinks a lot he can't stop drinking for awhile. My opinion this is a great book. I can see that people go through this sometimes and I sometimes can see the feelings they put on the book.

[Theresa Reifon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format/Length: Chapter Book; 166 pages

Theme(s): Change, Courage, Dreams/Hope, Family Love, Family Struggles, Friendship, Inner Struggles, Meeting Challenges, Risks, Sense of Home, Survival, Values, Prejudice

Review:
A 17 year old boy named Jesse is unhappy at home living with his mother and alcoholic stepfather. Jesse and his older brother, Abel, decide to move out and live together on their own. They find an apartment to rent. To make money to afford bills and pay for their college tuition, they work weekends as field workers harvesting cotton and fruit. Jesse has dreams of finishing college and becoming an artist; while his brother’s dreams alter when girls come into his life. Besides his dreams, he also has strong faith. This book tells of Jesse’s journey to finding a better life and the obstacles this journey leads him to- prejudice, political tension, the danger of being drafted, and internal struggles. Not only is this journey challenging for Jesse, it is also confusing. I feel this a great story that represents a young man entering adulthood and all the new things that come along with living on your own. I also feel this book embodies a strong sense of hopes and dreams that is truly inspirational. Some of the topics and themes present in this book are 1970s in Fresno, CA, Hispanic and Latin Americans; Farm and Labor Workers; Vietnam War; Prejudice and Tolerance; Family and Social Structures; School Life; Poverty; Moving; Change. There are so many ways that this book can be incorporated into a Literature or Social Studies class. I feel that this would work great as a support alongside a Social Studies chapter/lesson dealing with the Vietnam War or even farm and Labor Workers.

[Justina Ramirez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jesse is a amazing story about a boy that had troubles in the civil rights movement. Jesse is a nice kind boy and has many problems with school and out side of class. In the beginning Jesse has problems with his family and doesn't know what to do with his drunk stepfather. Jesse has a brother named Able that is older then him and wants his life simple, but knows that wont happen. Jesse and Able are farm workers and get payed low money. There is the movement for Cesar Chaves going on and Jesse wants to join in.
In the middle of the story Jesse has problems talking to girls. Jess wants a better life for him and Able and just wants to be a normal kid. Jess works on the weekends with Able and they hich-hike back to the city and send there night in a shack. He also has trouble with his brother not really being there for him. In the middle of the book is very intersting and captures exiting moments.
This book is very intersting and has a lot of emotions. Jess is a nice boy that has a lot of problems bring the Civil Rights Movement, facing his dad, brother, school, and working in the fields. There is a problem, Jesse wants a better life. There is a soulution, he finds himself being on his own and asking God to help him, he finds his way to becoming a better person.

[Bianka Armendariz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jesse by Gary soto was a great book about how mexicans farmers had to go through the roughest times just to get their rights. Jesse was just another of the many people who were always suffering. He was was only 17, and he dropped out of high school so he can begin early in college. Jesse lived with abel, his brother, in a small apartment. They went to the same college together, and they have to work extremely hard in order to be able to take care of themselves. their dad had died when they were very young; they couldn't stand their step father. Their mom had only gotten with him for them to be able to move alog with their lives and be able to have everything they need. abel wants to become an atrist when he is oldder. he wants everything that is best for him. He and his brother struggle to to get enough money, but eventually they are able to. Jesse goes through a lot for such a young man, and at the end ended up living behind the apartment, because Abel had to escape to mexico.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about how immigrant teenagers struggle in their life. how farm workers go om strike in order to get their working condtions better and get paid like they are supposed to.

[Eduardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse is a book written by Gary Soto. The book talks about a boy named Jesse show 19 years old. Jesse used to live with his mom and step father. Eventually Jesse and Jesse's brother Abel move out and get an apartment. While living in the apartment they struggle since they work picking cotton and grapes. They each make around 15 dollars each a day. The apartments rent is around 110 dollars. While living on the apartment Jesse and Abel meet Glenda thee owner of the apartments daughter. Glenda has a small baby named Larry. Jesse also drooped out of high school but continued his education in a comunity college were he takes art lessons. Jesse's dream is to become an artist. In art class Jesse meets Leslie who is a hippie looking guy who eventually becomes Jesse's best friend. The story sill tells much about Jesse's story and so on.

Jesse is a great book that when you read the first page i will want to know what happens next. Its practically a next page adventure. I love this book an how it expresses the feelings of the character its almost like watching a movie.

[Saul Olivas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book jesse is a book that u have to read to understand. The book talks a lot about the kid jesse and what he does. Jesse moves out of his house with his brother and lives in an apartment. His brothers name is Abel who is older then him and goes to college. Jesse also goes to college early. He lives like a farmer he picks grapes and oranges he does a lot and is really hard working but he wants to change some things about the farming life like getting better living conditions and getting paid more money for what they work for because they dont get paid a lot or get good living conditions. Cesar Chavez is mentioned a lot in this book and tells a few things about what he is doing and what he does. Jesse wants to help in this but cant really do much. he meets new friends when he moves out and in college. This book was an ok book i guess i didnt really like it or anything but it seems ok.

[Monica Antillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

In Fresno, CA where the "braceros" work in order to cover basic expenses, a 17 year old boy named Jesse lives with his brother 18 year old brother Abel. They live in a small apartment, and both attend college. Jesse dropped out of high school and decided to attend junior college to get more education and focus more on his future. Their subsistence is still poverty-level. Jesse illustrates class division and the ever-present threat of having the fun years plucked away by the exigencies of war. The story takes place during the early 1970's, where it was hard to make at least 16 dollars a week. From social security, they each receive $90 because of their father’s death. With the $90 they received, they spent on rent, college tuition, and to buy food and clothing. These Mexican-American brothers hope junior college will help them escape their heritage of physical labor. Their struggles are humorous, true to life, and affecting.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, sober, spare. This novel, refreshingly, does not deal with the big plot turns that most YA novels do (will s/he fall in love? how will the suspense of the big game resolve? will the problem or dysfunction lead to trauma or resolution? will the protagonist's parents break up or patch up?). The plot here is daily life, what it's like for 17 year-old Jesse and his 18 year-old brother Abel, poor Mexican-American young men, to live on their own, deal intermittently with their mother and stepfather, scrape by as day laborers, attend junior college. Nixon and The Vietnam War, as well as the farm laborers movement, touch their lives as well. Yeah, there are some girls, incidents at school, and brief moments of pleasure. But, like real life for so many (struggling) people, this is no rise tale. It's a getting-by one.

[Tanya Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was aboutt a guy(Jesse)who is Mexican. They live in Fresno, California. When he was in high school he moved out of his house because he and his stepdad didn't get along. The stepdad would tell him that he needs to cut his hair because it was too long. The stepdad would always tell him bad comments. He and his brother Abel now live in an apartment. They worked at helping Cesar c
Chavez in the farm. They didnt earn that much money.
I think this book is a good book because his life is similar to some Mexicans life now aday. I like books that are like this, so i recomend this book to people that like it to read books like this. Also i would recomend this book to people that like non fiction books. I liked this book because it has so many details. In additionaly because this book caught my attention by the life of Jesse.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The novel jesse written by gary soto is about a boy name jesse. Jesse and his brother Able used to live with his mother and step father after his dad died at his job in a big machine. Jesse and Able moved from there moms house because they did not get along with his drunk step father.jesse and Able moved to an aparment together and they both went to college even though jesse dopped out. This novel took place in fresno,california during the time of Cesar Chavez.My favorite part about this whole story is that i love how Jesse never gave up on any thing he was a hard working person and still went to college even through the hard times he went through.This was a very good book and i recomend it to people that like to read. This book isnt just very interesting but it also gives you great life lessons it teaches you to never give up and always try hard.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the books by Gary Soto, chapter books, poetry and short stories are all about the lives of Mexican-Ameicans, but transfer into stories about all of us. They are about challenges, risk-taking and hope. They show real lives of teens mostly with their own hopes and dreams but finding it tough to transcend the poverty gap. This book, Jesse, tells of 17 year old Jesse, a Mexican-American boy coming of age during the turmoil of the Vietnam War. I loved Jesse's optimism and his. I listened to the audio book read by Robert Rameriz, who was marvelous. Despite Jesse's poverty and family difficulties, he aspires to get an education and become an artist. I especially enjoyed Soto's descriptions (one is 'teeth like Chiclets) and his expert use of dialog. He definitely gets teen speak. This is Soto's first YA novel.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesse is a great book about a teenager who's 17 year old. He's an Mexican-american. The story starts in the parents house but soon Abel and Jesse move out.Jesse and Abel work in the fields picking grapes and cotton. They struggle because they need to pay rent and they go to a community college. Jesse and Abel meet Glenda the apartments owner daughter. Jesse while taking an art class he meets Leslie who eventually becomes his best friend. Jesse and Abel go on a trip to Pesmo beach.

Jesse is a very interesting book. after you read a coupe pages you really get drawn into it. This story may just count the many stories of a lot of Mexican-Americans. and how they want to have a good life.

-Jose Palacios.

[Heidi Turnquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jesse is a novel about a 17 year old Hispanic boy growing up in Delano, California during Caesar Chavez’s movement. He moves out to live with his older brother Abel and go to community college. He struggles for money and works in the fields, but also wants to support Caesar Chavez’s movement. He struggles with finding love. He is also very religious. Jesse tries to please his family and support his brother even though it is sometimes hard. He also tries to get more involved in La Causa but it usually ends badly. He also tries to help out his friends even though it sometimes goes against his own beliefs.
I would not recommend this book because it does not end very well and it is not what I usually read. I think it does display his struggles well though.

[Becky K · Rating 3 out of 5]

In my regard, the book Jesse by Gary Soto is an okay book. This book is about a seventeen year old boy named Jesse, who decides to drop out of high school, move in with his brother Abel, and try to get a college education to see if it will prevent them from having to work in the fields. I thought this book was a little interesting at certain parts but at others it wasn't. I didn't like this book as much as I thought that I would have because it got a little boring towards the end. The only thing I liked about this book is that it talks about a teenager who wants to put an end to poverty and labor. In conclusion, I thought this book was an okay book other than the fact that it talked about Jesse disliking poverty and labor.

[Misoh Kang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t finish this book but I think this is a nice book because the book tells about the poverty. I also knew by this book that many mexicans in U.S do anything to earn money. The story touched me a lot by the story of Jesse’s family. I would recommend this book to many friends who likes story like poverty, suffer.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent novel with the back drop of the migrant farmer workers' strikes in California.

[Maria Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book Jesse by the author Gary Soto. I’ve read a few books from the author Gary soto I really enjoyed reading his books because some the books I relate to. The book Jesse is a really good book the author described him and tell the story from his point of view and it makes it interesting. He tells the story on how Jesse passes through the most difficult times of his life which happened to be during the Vietnam War. I think that the people who read this book will really enjoy it. It has a lot of life experience that people really have in reality.

The reason why I enjoyed reading this book was because how Jesse has hard times in just his young age. Jesse is Mexican American boy who drops out of school and goes to work as a laborer in a field. Jesse has an older brother named Abel who is drafted into the war. Jesse and Abel's dad passed away when they were little from a work accident. Jesse lives with his mother and his stepfather who is an alcoholic. Because of their stepfather, Abel and Jesse move out of the house, but when Abel is drafted Jesse can’t afford to live on his own and goes to live in the neighbor’s garage. Jesse didn’t get along with his stepfather because he was always arguing and bossing him around. Abel didn't get along with his stepfather because he doesn’t like the idea of Abel having tattoo and long hair because he looks like the guys from the gangs.

If you decide to read this book, you should know that it is a fast and easy read. But it also makes you think and really holds your attention. You learn a little bit about history and you get to a know a character who is really interesting. No matter what you have experienced in life, through reading this book you get to learn about how difficult life can be and what life is like for Mexican Americans.

[Edwin Gutierrez]

The main characters in the novel "Jesse" are Jesse and Abel. it took place in Fresno when Jesse dropped outout of high shool. This book was about Jesse dropping out of high school and going into community college with his brother Abel. They both work in the fields chopping cotton or pickin fruits. Jesse and Abel decided to move out of their moms house because their stepfather drinks alot and they almost never get along. They moved into an apartment that was owned by Glendas mom.Later, Jesse decides he wants to be an artist which this guy named Leslie likes Jesses art. In the story, Jesse was asked to join the Cesar Chavez march. Then, Jesse meets a girl named Minerva. They like each other and they went for a date but the date doesnt go to well and they dont see each other again. They went to a beach were a guy named Robert wants to fight and Jesse gets beat up. Afterwards, Jesse and Abel go to a vacation were they have memories.
I would recomend this book because its a really interesting book. It shows personality and kindness and also leadership on how Jesse was able to do so many things without his parents. It shows how a person will actually go to a march were an important person like Cesar Chavez helped out his people and actually cared.Also because Jesse puts people in front of him in order to help them and he is not selfish at all. What i like about this book is that its really interesting and the characters showed kindness. this book waas a really good life lesson and it showed me how to be independent and also not being selfish and putting other people in front of me to be able to help them.

[Dania · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jesse, a 17 year old teenager, just moved out of his house to live with his brother Abel. He attends community college, and works in the fields. He is inspired by Cesar Chavez and tall of the bravery he has. He even goes to a huelga with his friend Leslie because he’s so inspired by him. Jesse faces romance issues, family issues, and issues within himself, but he always tries to look out for his brother. Soon enough Glenda, a neighbor, comes into their lives and Jesse starts to thing Abel might like her. He prays he won’t fall in love with her. Later he gets a girl whose name is Minerva from school. Although he really likes her they do not last more than a first date. Jesse is very faithful and that is one thing that never goes away. He attends church often and tries to get his brother to go although he refuses. He dreams of becoming an artist even though his mom would want him to be something else like an electrician. But despite their disagreements he still cares a lot about her and takes time on Sundays to visit her and his step dad.
I think this book was not one of the best books I’ve read by Gary Soto. I think it was really simple and Jesse seemed like a not very interesting character and didn’t have much going on. I prefer to read books that have characters that have more going on or are out going, and when I read Jesse it wasn’t like that. I would recommend this to anyone who likes to read about what people were doing while Cesar Chavez was having marches and all that was going on. I’d also recommend it to anyone who likes boring characters, and short books

[Alex]

When I first started reading the novel of Jesse, it captured my attention and it made me want to read more.At first in one of the first chapters it tells you about Jesse, Abel, his mom and step dad. Jesse and Abel both go to community college. They dont get along with their mom or step dad. They don't like his step dad because he's drunk half of the time and they dont get along. Abel and Jesse work in the fields picking grapes, cotton or whatever there is to pick up. They live in small apartment with enough space for both of them. They meet a girl named Glenda, and Jesse likes her alot. She's the daughter of the landlady. Shes about 23 and she has a kid. Jesse is more interested in being a a painter when he grows up. Jesse relates alot to Cesar Chavez because as well as Jesse, Cesar worked in the fields when he was young. Jesse was joining all the Cesar Chavez marches so hispanics can have rights. In my opininion I think that this book is great for other young Hispanics because it talks about strugles other Hispanics might have in their lifes.

I would recomend this book to young hispanic teenagers. Its a really good book because it teaches lessons about people that are racist to hispanics.People can learn alot abou this because it helps them see that not everyone has a good life and that life can be hard specially if you are another race.

[Xitlalycontreras]

"Jesse" by gary soto was a very shocking book of a young boy.Jesse had a very difficult and depressing life as a young boy.he had a very drunk step father that would be a pian. Jesse moved out when he was 17 yrs old. he moved in a small apertment with his 19 yr old brother Abel.Abel and "Jesse" by Gary Soto was a very shocking book of a young boy. Jesse had a very difficult and depressing life as a young boy. He had a very drunk step father that would be a pain. Jesse moved out when he was 17 yrs. old. He moved in a small apartment with his 19 yr. old brother Abel.Abel and Jesse worked in the fields and also where in college. Jesse dropped out of high school and went to community college. Jesse was unsure of Cesar Chavez begging able to make a change for farm workers. he sarted top be involved on the right movment for field workers. but during that time he would also worry about Abel.Abel was starting to like Gelda,who liked with her mother next door in the apartment in Frenso.Jesse began to feel jelouse about Abel and Gelda always hanging out toghether. Abel promised Jesse that he would stay way from Gelda.further into the story Jesse and his friend Leslie go to strike with other different farm workers that are fighting for the same cause. Jesse gets so involved that he gets in fights and in art class he draws, paints farm workers in strike yelling huelga.

[Odalys · Rating 1 out of 5]

To escape a home dominated by his alcoholic stepfather, 17-year-old Jesse abruptly leaves his home with his mother and stepfather, high school, and moves into an apartment with his older brother, Abel, and takes classes at Fresno City College. It is 1968, and the brothers not only face the threat of being drafted and the daily grind of their poverty, but they also face being a part of the latino minnority group. Racial and class prejudice limit their employment opportunities to field labor, and they pick melons, oranges, or cotton, depending on the season. The author Gary Soto portrays the poverty of the boys in the scene where Abel and Jesse are hitchhiking to Pismo Beach for their spring break. Stranded for several days along the road, they encounter many hardships together through the night, and they never end up reaching the ocean wich is a big dissapointment. Jesse is artistically gifted and shy around girls; he struggles to communicate with girls, to date, and to succeed both socially and academically in school. Soto makes people realize how difficult the life of a mexican american during this time. I did not like this book because it was plotless. It has nothing exiting that really makesa reader want to keep reading. The story is bland and has nothong that I found memorable. I would not reccomend this book to anyone because it's so boring.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Characterization:
The characters in the book are Jesse, Abel, Glenda, and Leslie. Jesse is the main character in the book. Jesse went from a teenage boy who didn't know how to live in the world to a grown up man who can live by himself. Jesse made good decisions that helped him get to where he is now.

Plot summary:
In the book Jesse and his brother move into an apartment by themselves because they are trying to get away from there alcoholic step father. Jesse drops out of high school and applies to a local college. His dream is to be an artist.Jessie was 17 when he moved out. The boys met this girl named Glenda who is the daughter of the woman who owns the apartment building. The boys and Glenda form a great friendship. The friendship helped Jessie, his brother, and Glenda through tough times they experienced.


Recommendation:
I would recommend this book to young adult readers because it educates them what life is as a young worker. It also provides understanding on how to stand up for whats right and to help others.I give it a 4 out of 5 star rating. The book had great points but was not as interesting as the writer believed it would be.

Personal Response:
I liked the book "Jesse" by Gary Soto it was very fun to read. The book shows what it was like to be a teenager at that time.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set during the time of Nixon’s presidency, seventeen-year-old Jessie leaves high school a year early and enrolls in community college with his eighteen-year-old brother. The two brothers have a job working in cotton fields which affords them a small apartment. As they struggle to get by, Jesse rallies for improved pay and working conditions for farm workers. Jesse studies art and hopes to become a successful artist one day. He does not want to end up being a laborer for the rest of his life like the majority of Mexican-Americans.
Jesse seemed like an interesting choice from the description on the back cover; however, I was slightly disappointed. It was very slow paced; there wasn’t much that happened throughout the story and the ending was somewhat depressing. Jessie’s brother gets drafted in the war and Jesse seems to lose hope for a better life. I like how the last pages of the book lists questions that could be used for discussion. I think the pages should have footnotes translating the Spanish words and phrases used throughout the book. I took Spanish in high school and college, so I could understand most of it, but it could be a turn off for those who are not familiar with the language.

[Fiddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse is a book by Gary Soto.Jesse is 19 years old in this book. He used to live with his mother and stepfather, eventually things didnt work out and Abel and Jesse decided to move out of the house.They decided to drop out of high school and go to a college, eventually the setting takes place in Fresno,California. Abel and Jesse also get an apartment, they work in a difficult job by picking cotton earning about 15 dollars.They have to pay 110 bucks to stay in thae apartment and the landlords daughter name is Glenda and has a baby named Larry.

This book is really entertaining because its a book that has like real situations that normally happens to teenagers, theres a scence the happens where Jesse and Raul go to a school dance and they go to a place and they have beers and 2 girls with them and they get beat up by 2 guys. Jesse had to defend himself so he decided to punch the other guy and so the guy started to bear hug him and Jesse pulled on his ears. This book is also interisting because it also has life problems, like when Jesse and Abel decide to move away from their parents house they get a job and they go picking cotton and they can't pay the rent because the money they earn isn't enough.

[Nicole Florez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel "Jesse" is about a Mexican-American teenager named Jesse who is trying to go after his dream of becoming an artist. This story takes place in Fresno, California. At the beginning of the novel, Jesse moves out of his parents' house with his brother Abel because, they couldn’t stand living with their drunken step farther. Abel & Jesse both have jobs while attending community college. Jesse wanted to attend the Cesar Chavez March so that he could fight for better working environments for himself & other fellow workers. Alot of things got in the way of Jesse's dream but he never gave up on what he wanted to do. For example, they both didn't want a letter in their mail that would make one of them go away. Overall I really enjoyed this book. I would recommend this book to someone else because it was a good reading & parts of it was like reality which made me even more hooked on the novel. What I didn’t like about this book is that even though Jesse worked hard he didn’t get to where he wanted to in life .The message in this novel is trying to say; “things aren’t always going to come out how they’re supposed to.” After you read this book you can see how hard it is to accomplish something really important to you.