Breaking Through

Francisco #2

by Francisco Jiménez

At the age of fourteen, Francisco Jiménez, together with his older brother Roberto and his mother, are caught by la migra. Forced to leave their home, the entire family travels all night for twenty hours by bus, arriving at the U.S. and Mexican border in Nogales, Arizona. In the months and years that follow, Francisco, his mother and father, and his seven brothers and sister not only struggle to keep their family together, but also face crushing poverty, long hours of labor, and blatant prejudice. How they sustain their hope, their goodheartedness, and tenacity is revealed in this moving sequel to The Circuit. Without bitterness or sentimentality, Francisco Jiménez finishes telling the story of his youth.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography, Spanish Literature, Cultural, Autobiography, Teen

213 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2001

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

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased a classroom set of this book prior to reading it. What relief to find that I did not make a huge and expensive mistake. The story is clear and simply written. The authenticity of the writer's voice is the strength of the story.

What captivated me as a reader was Jimenez' ability to bring honesty to a difficult relationship with his father and a challenging up bringing with such sensitivity to the people who experienced it with him. In particular, I was moved by the way he described his father.

With such subtly and compassion, he shows how his father's hopes are diminished by a system of poverty and discrimination that eat away at his hope. In turn, he takes out his crushing defeat on those he loves the most, his family. Jimenez shows the reader the realities of living in such a space, but he does this without demonizing those who suffer the greatest under its restraints. I respected his ability to bring about these complexities with such humanity.

Jimenez demonstrates a level of trust in his reader. He does not become didactic or ideological in his telling of the story. (Something I have found in many stories that deal with issues of poverty, discrimination and racism.) Instead, he shares his experiences outright. This storytelling style provided me with the space to receive the story without feeling defensive or apologetic. Rather, I felt able to travel through time and space open to share in Jimenez' experiences as a desperate young man.

I longed for and agonized over each success Pancho achieved. I worried. "How long would "this" last?" "At what point would the reality of being an undocumented, migrant, farmhand consume Francisco?" I could only imagine how it must have been for the young Jimenez.

The story is both inspiring and heartbreaking. Jimenez speaks to possibility against all odds. However, despite my sense of joyous celebration felt for Jimenez, I left he story recognizing that his memoir is amazing because it is so uncommon. 15% of migrant workers in the U.S. graduate from high school. Most begin working around the age of 12 and continue to work to help support their families. The majority of those engaged in such work live well below the poverty line. I am not sharing statistics from the 1940s and 50s (the time in which the story takes place). I am sharing statistics from the last two decades.

Jimenez is rare. His determination paid off. In part, due to the support of those around him. I fear, the reader would be engaging in a very different kind of story if even the slightest wind had blown in a different direction.

It is hard not to consider the outcome if he had worked with a different school counselor. What if his father failed to secure a green card for him? What if the family could not find money and he was forced back into the fields full time? His success was tenuous. I have seen first hand how one small shift can change everything.

I did not leave this book with the sense that the "American dream" can be realized if one works hard, prays hard and has hope. I have seen too many people cling to all three, only to live a life much like that of Francisco's father. I left the book wondering about the people Jimenez left behind. I found myself consumed with the fate of his siblings and parents. I then I started to consider those today, who face a similar struggle.

I worry that a reader may leave the book believing that "breaking through" is only a matter of determination. Sadly, I have seen people with extraordinary determination battle against the inhumanity Jimenez and his family faced, only to be crushed by its unforgiving realities. I leave the story questioning how to get more "breaking through".

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first picked up this book because actually my Dad was reading it, and he recommended it to me. He told me the basic summary of it: how a boy was living in CA so many years ago, working jobs to support his family, and not even really thinking about himself. I got interested, so I decided to read this book.


The first time I read the book, my initial reaction was wow. I have read other books about how a child was the hero, unwittingly and a bit too boastful (and predictable), but this is truly from the heart. I mean, I know the situation right now is not exactly the same as it was long ago right now in the United States. Well, not for tweens-beg. teenagers. But, my first reaction was how Francisco handled so much things he had going on for him. I mean, he was working early in the day to late in the afternoon to night to support his family, yet he was going to the library after school to read and do homework, and lastly he was running for class body president, and he won. Also, he was very much liked and popular at his high school and his grades were good, especially his math. He excelled in math. I mean, this is one story that I will forget and will read it again and again to try to be like Francisco. I learned some very important life lessons, and some creative study methods for studying for tests, etc.

This is my second time reading the book. I have read the prequel, The Circuit. The Circuit is also really good, includes his child life to teenager.

I'm going to read this book again sometime soon, and learn more about his life and how he handled it. The thing that I will take with me forever to the real world now, is his courage and endurance to keep going even at when it's so hard, you want to stop. Don't. Stop. Keep going, and everything will be all right.

[Ali Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book that was assigned to my "z" level reading group this year by my 5th grade teacher. It really made you "think" as in how thankful you should be to have a home, food, nice clothes, schooling, and not having to live in poverty. In this book there are 5 children, that are Mexican's, the main characters name is Franscisco, and he is extremly poor, along with the rest of his family. His father and other brothers work for very little, to nothing. They reminded me a little bit of slaves, becasue they werent really payed and they had to raise cattle and pick crops, and cotton. It really did make me stop taking everything for grantid, we are very lucky to live in a time where most of this is over, but unfortunatly it still does still exist sometimes. This is a great book for any age.

[LARRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

As posted in [http://www.amazon.com]:

I bought *Breaking Through* without realizing that it was a sequel to *The Circuit*. 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. They were soon caught, after a time, and deported back. However, they were able to get papers and return. Despite living in the land of freedom and opportunities, the family has to work hard in order to survive. They worked in strawberry fields, lettuce patches and cleaned buildings.

Francisco is loving school yet struggled to stay on top as he also has to work. His older brother did well in school but worked nearly as much as their often-ill father did. The mother stayed home and took care of the children. However, she often substituted in their work when needed.

*Breaking Through* is a story of a family working together. It's also a story of one finding one's own identity in America. It's also a story of one trying to achieve the American dream.

You'll laugh. You'll cry. If you don't understand the Mexican culture, you'll find yourself puzzled at some things. Coming from a Hispanic family, I found myself nodding and taking strolls in memory lane.

Overall, it's easy reading for a great book.

[Emme · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Through is a good book because it has faith, hope and trust. The setting of the book is in the Great Depression. This family worked in the fields picking crops. They had to move around to find work. This family is trying to get to California to get their jobs back. Their jobs were taken from them when they were sent back to Mexico by immigration officers. The kids have gotten a passport to America, but their parents could not get a passport, so the kids went to America so they could work and earn money. They wanted to send for their parents when they had enough money. in this book the mane cricter is a 16 year old boy named Fansisco Hemenes how has to worc vary hade to ceap his vary poor family aliv. despit heis strugls and wores he exsels in school and was a vary smart doy. but this fasinating boy did not do it on his one he had help from his big brother roberto.

[Naomi Hernandez]

I am a freshman in high school and was required to read this book for my Spanish class. This book was a very realistic description of a life as an immigrant in the United States. It described the difficulties of learning a new language and providing for your family with low paying jobs. My favorite part of the book was when Francisco’s parents went to his high school graduation with him. It was touching because it showed their love for him. I related to Francisco because he had ambitious goals. Francisco wanted to complete high school and college to be successful. I have a goal to complete high school and college with a 4.0 so that I can get a high paying job.

[Valeria Ambriz]

I liked this book and I also read the book before this one that is called "The circuit " they were both good books and I liked what it was about and what Francisco had to pass for when the immigration got him and Roberto and him not knowing English and him studying during he was working it must be really difficult.

[Rachel Distelrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez is about a young boy giving his first person account of being an immigrant into California from Mexico. His family experiences deportation when they fail to give proof for some of their children living in America. Francisco talks about his time in junior high and high school and how he had to work everyday after school and through the weekends to support his family. Francisco is really close with his brother Roberto so he always has someone to work with and talk to. Francisco excels in school and extracurricular activities. During his senior year, he is even named his class President. Francisco struggles with being different in America in comparison to other people around him. In small instances he is the victim of discrimination, in particular when dating a girl and her parents not liking him. He tells everyone he was born in California when really he was born in Mexico, his is too afraid to admit the truth. He is proud of his family, but hates struggling and having to work long hours while maintaining good grades. Francisco ends up getting scholarships to attend college and leaves his family but leaves the reader with a sense of pride he has for his family and the meaning of hard work.

This is not a book I would typically read. But I really enjoyed it, and it was an extremely fast read. Francisco is a really likeable character. He works really hard and is able to do well in school. Even though he is faced with adversity due to his circumstances he is able to overcome them with grace. I think many people would enjoy this book because it is really conversational and easy to follow. It has many great life lessons incorporated as well.

I would recommend this book to students from early middle school to late high school. I think it is a book many students could relate to even if they were not Mexican. The main character is a really genuine person and I think many students would like that about him. The book is also really easy and fast and many students would appreciate that. I would recommend the book to students who may be struggling in poverty or working a job on the side to support themselves or their family. Like I previously mentioned, this book is extremely relatable for anyone, and I know many future students would enjoy it.

[Eddy Cach]

Breaking Through
Fansico Jimenez
193
Genre: biography and autobiography
Reading level:5.5

Exposition: this book takes back in the late 50/60 in a labor camp. A child was born in mexico and at a young age he crossed the us boarder with his family. After some time of living in the labor camp he always had anxiety on working with his brother, mother, and father. After a couple of years his mother got pregnant and he had the opportunity to start working. As a child he always thought that work was going to be fun. Now that he is much older he knows he isn’t doing this for fun anymore he is doing this for the better of his family. With little money almost al his clothes were hand-me downs by his older brother.

Conflict: the conflict in his life is going to college. Since he works at a labor camp , they don’t pay much. And college is expensive. His parents cant afford to send him off while there is still work to be done. By work I mean picking fuits in a field. He has a younger sister and four other brothers. He is the second to oldest child in his family. So they need support to stay together.

Climax: after studying hard and working most of the time he found out about scholarships. At first he was confused about people giving free money for school. He starts to talk more and more with his counselor about ways to get into college and get scholarships for the time he will spend there. so he works even harder to help his family and works even harder in school.

Resolution: at the end he gets accepted to Santa Clara university. he got a scholarship for the 4 years he will remain in college. his younger brother made a promise to Fransico on helping out in the fields while he is gone. his mother and father were upset that he was leaving and going somewhere they arent going to be able to visit him. in a little way they alwso were proud on him pushing himself forwards and being able to get more education than anyone in their family. he is the first child in his entire family to be able to go to school after highschool and have it all paid for him.

(for this part i will choose a theme in this book)Resolution: i believe that in this book and The Catcher In The Rye

[Carlos Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

In memoir, Breaking Through, by Francisco Jimenez

This kid named Francisco crossed the border illegally when he was a little kid with all his family., He studied in Santa Clara, but one day when he was in eighth grade the police patrol found him and wanted to kick him out of the country. However, when the police patrol went with his dad, Francisco’s Dad showed the police the Green Card (it’s a card that if you cross the border illegally, Americans can help you to stay in the country) and the police patrol left them alone. Francisco continued with his life, and that was the end of the first book (of three books).

At the star of the second book, Francisco, the protagonist of this book, was in his Freshmen year at Santa Clarita High School. He made a lot of friends and studied really hard. He was also learning a new language, English, and the teachers helped him a lot. He grew as a student and made more relationships. When he was in Junior year, his dad hurt his back and he couldn’t work, so Francisco and his big brother worked to give his family food. When he was in Senior year, he received a scholarship from a college for his grades and he went to college.

I really like this book, because the story teach you is always a solution of a problem and working hard you going to have what you deserve, and also I feel identified with some parts of the book, because I’m studying on U.S and I sometimes across the line and that make me remember the book history, but in this last months I’m Living in Tijuana so I always remember the book history when I going to the school.

I think that if you like to read happy stories, you should read this book because you can learn that if a person starts out with a really bad life, with the passage of time, they can strive in what they want to be in their life. This is a good book to read.

[S10_Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sequel to 'The Circuit,' 'Breaking Through' is the second in three semi-autobiographical installments about the maturation of Francisco Jimenez. The book follows Francisco, or Frankie, from his time in 8th grade through his graduation of high school. And his teenage experience is simultaneously typical and anything but that. He makes friends, performs in the talent show, becomes student body president, and applies and is accepted into college. All common narratives in novels surrounding life during high school.

But, experiencing these events as a Mexican immigrant brings a new dimension to the story. He is deported back to Mexico at the beginning of the book and has to find a way back into America. He spends every waking moment outside of high school working to support his family. Frankie has consistent issues in English class, as it is his second language. But we sympathize and cheer for him because he always perseveres and always seems to have good intentions. It does not matter where Frankie is from, the reader can see that he is a kind boy who deeply cares about his family and the furthering of his education. I may not have made it to college in the same manner, but his anxieties about school and friendship are universal.

This would be great for a middle-schooler or high-schooler getting ready to matriculate toward whatever big step lies ahead. And while I think the descriptions of all characters' ideas and motives became too simplistic at times, not really making everyone as multi-dimensional as they could have been, I thought Frankie was drawn incredibly well and cannot wait to read about his experiences in college.

[Jeff Thomson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was interested in diversifying my reading and learning about a culture that was different than my own. When I picked up Breaking Through, By Francisco Jimenez, I thought I would get just that. I was mistaken, not only did I get a look at a different culture, I also received a glimpse of the other side of American culture. Reading through Francisco's tale had me heartbroken at point, but at other times I was uplifted and encouraged.

Francisco struggles to root himself in a community. This is due to his family looking for work and the fear of being deported. Francisco yearns to be a normal student who studies and works hard for his grades. Helping support his family and the low income they bring in pulls at Francisco's school priorities. This makes it difficult for Francisco to have a social life.

While reading this novel I was impressed by the narration. I felt that I could trust the story being told, and I felt for each situation that Francisco was put into. The way he struggles with the values of his culture and the values of American culture, learning how to type and write in English, and the amount of hours he works shows the dedication of a young boy trying to make it in America. This novel touches on many values such as, family, relationships, religion, and priorities. I feel that this book would be well suited in the classroom, and I feel that my fellow teachers/classmates would enjoy this autobiographical account of a young Mexican boy.

[Nancy Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a young kid who’s name is Francisco Jimenez. He and his brother Roberto go to California to help out their parents with money. They would work really hard but would go have fun on the weekends. Francisco’s dream was to go to college and become a teacher. To reach his goal he tries his best to get scholarships for college.
I really like this book because I love how Francisco doesn’t give up reaching his goal and being successful. Something else I like about this book is that he was always himself and didn’t change for nobody. I love the fact that no matter what his dad told him, he would never give up on his dream. What I didn’t like about this book is that his dad would always tell him stuff like to just work and not worry about school instead of supporting his son. Something else I didn’t like is that the kids thought Francisco couldn’t sing the Elvis song just because he’s Mexican and has an accent.
“I am sure we’ll make it.” Pg.149 I chose this short quote because Francisco and his family were always positive. They never gave up, they would do the best to be together and stay together.

[Angie Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book describes the life of the author growing up as an immigrant from Mexico during the 60's. Although this book is a sequel, I read it by itself and thought it was good as a stand-alone. The author does make references to things that happened in the first book, but only in passing. I admire the author for his perserverance in pursuing his dreams in the face of such insurmountable odds. I also admire his willingness to think of others who could be in the same set of circumstances, no matter the reason, and willingness to help them. I think that this book is a good one to get others, especially students, to think about the plight of the less fortunate and immigrants. A great springboard for discussion about the issues surrounding illegal immigration that we are facing today.

[Danniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

-Breaking Through
-This story Is about a family that emigrates to the United States, and they have to work on the fields.......Panchito and his older brother Roberto have to live by themselves because their parents go back...... to Mexico.......
-At the begining I really liked this book but then the story gets boring......nothing exiting happens in the story........
-This story reminds me of some of my cousins that emigrated to the United States as same as Panchito and his family did..............and when panchito and roberto have to stay by without their parents reminds me of when i went to mexico city to study but I had to live over there by myself and i could only visit my mom one time every year.....

[Erin Sterling · Rating 3 out of 5]

The (second of three) autobiographical story of Francisco Jimenez about his family crossing the border illegally from Mexico to California when he was 4, getting deported at 14, and returning to California for the end of junior high and high school. The Circuit is about his younger years, this book is about his middle school and high school years, and Reaching Out is about his college years. Set in the 1950s and 1960s. While sometimes the dialogue and writing felt a little stilted and his 14-year-old self a little too perfect, the story was a great story of immigration and struggle and working hard to overcome barriers.

[Hiroko · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sequel of "the Circuit" by Francisco Jimenez.
I was excited to read this book since the first one was really good and make me fascinated so much. And as I expected, the story didn't let me stop reading.

This story will start from the immigration caught Jimenez's family. After that, he struggled to keep up his GPA to obtain a scholarship to get into the college. I was sympathized to him since I am in college, too. Also, the author is sort of encouraged me and felt like giving me a pep talk. I am sure you won't regret reading this book.

[Lawrence Perez · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Breaking Through" by Fransico Jimenez is a great book for all ages. when you read this book you will learn how fortune you are because of how you don't need to work out in the fields when your 12 years old or living alone and do every thing by yourself. I'll recommend this book to anybody who doesn't like reading because this book makes you want to read more and not stop.

[Jocelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion i thought this book was really inspiring. It talked about a story of an immigrant guy and his life. I really like how he achieved something big although he didn't have many chances. I also liked that he wrote it about his self.

[Susan Meissner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this for a literacy program that I volunteer for. Great book about the son of migrant farm workers who, despite the odds against him, rises above the constrains of a life of poverty and hard labor to achieve his goals.

[Dalia Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

i personaly love this book beacuse he talks about his after life how he gita girl freind and other stuff

[Alexis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breaking Through
This story takes place throughout “California in the 1940s, to place to place looking for a job. The main characters of this story are Roberto, mama,papa,Francisco,Trampita,Torito , Ruben,Rorra. The main problem the character faces is that he has no papers so he came to the United States illegal and his family doesn't have much money so he has to work two jobs to support them.

Francisco's family came from Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico to live a better live and leave poverty behind. Francisco went to the school camino junior high in santa maria when he was in social studies one day he heard a knock on the door of his classroom and it was a border patrol officer wearing a green suit and ask him if he was Francisco Jimenez and he said yes . After that the officer took him to his border patrol car and said get inside. Next the officer went to santa maria high school to pick up Roberto his brother. During the ride to Bonitti ranch where his whole family was standing outside their house waiting for them to get there the patrol officer ask Roberto did you know who turned you in , Roberto said no then the officer replied and said it was one of your group that live in the ranch. Finally after they got to the ranch officer search the whole ranch to find if there was more undocumented resident but didn't find none. Later the officer took them to San Luis Obispo, immigration headquarters where they would answer some questions and sign some papers. Next the immigration officer said if they had paper and only their younger brothers did but not Roberto and Francisco,then the officer said they only had 3 days to report to the U.S immigration office in Nogales Arizona. Francisco’s parents were worried because they didn’t want to get separated and not have papers, and sent back to Mexico.

In my opinion about this book is that is a really good and can relate to some people out in the world. The thing i like about this book is that the author explains and discusses well what did this family had to go to without having much money and little job. This book was easy to read because it was on my book reading level. Yes i liked the ending because he went to collage and did something with his live and made his mama proud. My favorite part of the book was that he got a visa and didn't have to go back to Mexico and went to collage. The connections i made with my life where that my family also had to go through some rough times and experiences. The author style of writing was good because he didn't use hard long words to read and it wasn't difficult. For example he used some words like The, never , scared ,hardworking,support,good.

Yes i would recommend this book because it's interesting and relatable. I would rate this book 5 because it grabs the reader's attention really good and doesn't want you to stop reading.

[Edmund · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking Through is an experience driven story, with a tad of fiction, written by Francisco Jiménez. In this fictional autobiography, Jiménez writes about his experience going through his young life as a poor mexican family in The United States. He starts by writing about his experience as an illegal immigrant with only his father and younger siblings having valid credentials. The issue was resolved when the family was reported to the border office to fix the papers. During that time his family was away, his brother and him were off on their own making their own money as strawberry pickers and other minor jobs. This experience of working hard to earn a living was presented throughout the rest of Jiménez’s story. School went relatively well for him, except for english since it was a secondary language. Despite the trouble, with perseverance and encouragement, he was able to excel in that area as well. All the while, he has done things that he thought were not possible such as becoming student body president with other extracurriculars and working a job. It is clear that by the end of this story one message is the rewards of perseverance.

Jiménez had originally struggled with english and literature; it was only class in which he had failing grades. However. after working on the skill, with the encouragement of his teacher, he did fairly well. He wrote an reaction to this paper, “She must have liked what I wrote because she gave me a good grade. My success made me happy, but, this time the grade seemed less important than what I had learned from reading the book.” He had found that “the grade seemed less important” even though he had just passed a paper. The actual reward from working on this skill was happiness, and, apparently, an important message in the book that he really understood. These rewards are from perseverance, in other words, it is exceeding to get something better.

The book was very interesting although this genre is typically not regarded as popular. The interesting part is due to the dialogue and experiences which seem detailed. The author says in his notes that “when I could not remember the exact words of some conversations, I created dialogue, and added description to capture my impressions and reactions to particular events and experiences.” This is what made a majority of the story interesting to read. If it was a standard autobiography, it would not have been as interesting as it had been. The fictional aspect of the book kept me captivated into reading more of Francisco Jiménez’s life, overall making a good read.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book in Spanish; a high school Spanish IV class was reading it, and I became very interested in it, as their substitute teacher. I continued to read Senderos Fronterizos by Francisco Jiménez, on my own at home. After reading the first few chapters, I became so intrigued with the story, I wanted to read it faster, so finished it in English.
This is the true story of a young boy's journey from the poverty of his life in Mexico to a much better life in the USA. After reading the English version, I saw that I had misinterpreted some of the plot, but still I had the main ideas.
Francisco (nicknamed Panchito) and his family illegally crossed the border by digging a hole under the fence into the USA. His father practiced a "story line" with his family to try to protect them from being deported. After the family emigrated to the United States, they worked in the fields as migrant workers.
This story line was very personal to me. Growing up in Tipp City Ohio, I remember many “Panchitos” coming to my school for a few months every fall. Their families worked in the tomato fields of our Tipp City Canning factory doing migrant work. Our church hosted some of the families—taking care of their infants so both parents could pick tomatoes.
In this true story, Panchito and his older brother Roberto had to live by themselves when their parents went back to Mexico. He tells about his experiences in junior high and high school and his working everyday after school and through the weekends to support his family. Panchito is close with his brother Roberto, whom he works with and talks together with throughout the book. He struggles with being different in America. He feels he is the victim of discrimination, in particular by a girl’s parents. They did not like their daughter dating this “popular Mexican kid.”
It’s very much a touching success story. Though he has to struggle and work long hours to maintain good grades, Panchito excels in school and extracurricular activities. During his senior year, he is named his class President. Later he earns scholarships to attend college. He has a good work ethic, and should be a role model for others, leaving the reader with the sense of pride he has for his family and the meaning of hard work.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Breaking Through has many life lessons (not giving up being of of them) and it's the type of book where you want to keep reading to see what's going to happen next. It has an acceptable reading level where it's not too hard where you would have to read the same paragraph five times or too easy where you find the book boring, it's just right. I really enjoyed reading Breaking Through and when I finished the book I began to appreciate my way of living more. Throughout the book I would constantly think to myself “if Francisco with such low resources and a lot on his planet, could finish high school with a great GPA I could do as well as he did because I don't have it as hard.” I was truly inspired by Francisco overcoming obstacles one after another. I am positive Breaking Through is a book that inspires many and opens eyes to those who think so badly of immigrants.
Jimenez’s word choice really brings lots of vitality to the book and the way he describes his mother and father made me feel like I’ve known him my whole life. Jimenez’s ability to make me feel what he felt is amazing. His capability to describe the life of a person who is undocumented and not only his story, but his family's story as well. When I first began to read the book I was really intrigued because he starts his book by talking to the reader. Usually others would start there book with a question or a quote, but Jimenez brings the book to life with the descriptive words he chooses.

[Sebastian L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Senderos Fronterizos, by Francisco Jimenez, is a book that deals with his family living in United States, that immigrated to our country illegally. This is the sequel to the first book, Cajas de Carton. While the first book deals with his struggles of growing up as an immigrant, Senderos Fronterizos deals with his family being separated at the border, and the struggle of living alone with his brother.Because this book is written in his point of view, we get an increased feeling of attachment with him. The book feels very personal, in a good way.

[Joshua Ruiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the young age of fourteen, Francisco Jiménez, and his family, are caught by la migra and are deported back to Mexico. Having to leave California, his family struggles for the future life of their children. Finally after gaining there citizenship, Frankie and his older brother are split up from the rest of the family in order to support them. Getting jobs and an education is a full plate for these two young men as they begin to grow and build their "American Dreams" for themselves and their family. Poverty, long work hours, and judgment cause the family obstacles along their journey.
I enjoyed this book very much, gives a realist view of the time era and immigration. Also, the common every day life of the main character, Frankie, can relate to the common high school student. Although there is really no real supporting characters, more of a autobiography, it all revolves around his life. Overall, this novel was interesting and impactful. "As we approached the Santa Maria Bridge, I remembered the pain I felt in my chest every time we crossed this bridge, at the end of every summer. But this time I felt excitement, not pain ... After so many years, I was still moving" (193). This quotes shows how change was always painful for him and his family, be he has finally achieved his goal. A Break Through towards the next step of his life.

[Miguel]

This book is very interesting because dialog the sacrifices that immigrants make for a better life
and shows that working hard your dreams can be fulfilled.
the story begins in a family of immigrants from guadalajara who came to the united estates
and they lived in a very poor neighborhood in the united estates and when the children go out of the school
they net to go to work to help the family and one day the family was deport to mexico
and when they return to the united states with papers one one of the children fulfills his dream
of going to the college and help his family to have a better life.


my opinion of the book is very interesting because dialog the sacrifices that the immigrants make to have
a better life in the united estates and to make your dreams come true.


my favorite part of the book is whe the children fulfills his dream of going to collage
and help his family to have a better live in the united estates.


I recommend this book to the immigrants people because this book teaches to never giup in live working
hard your dreams come tru.


this book is not inappropriate because speech of the sacrifices of the immigrants people.

[Andrew Mannino · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the novel "Breaking Through" by Franciso Jimenez, A young boy Franciso and his family are on US soil illegally. At the age of 14 his family gets caught by la migra and is deported back across the boarder to Mexico. After obtaining thier visa cards they come back to Caifornia legal citizens. Fransico and his older brother Robert go off to work in Santa Clara ton provide an extra income for his family. They come back together after about a year apart from eachother.They spend as much time as they can before Franciso goes off to college.
I agreed with the stuggle he was going through in highschool because alot of it is the same things for me. Another thing I enjoyed was him helping his family with the money problem because that shows that he tries to do as much as he can for his family. The things in the novel that didnt appeal to me were when he got deported back to Mexico. Also having to be split apart from his family." Ilived in constant fear for ten long years,from the time I was four until I was fourteen years old."(Pg1) This quote shows that Franciso lives in fear of being caught.

[Sarah Bruno · Rating 3 out of 5]

Senderos Fronterizos era un libro increíble que recomiendo a estudiantes de secundaria. Este libro se trata de un trabajador agrícola llamado Panchito. Por la primera vez en su vida Panchito no necesita mudar para pizcar puede vivir en Santa Maria en el Rancho Bonetti. Uno de sus mayores sueños para su futuro es escapar su vida de ser un trabajador agrícola y ser un maestro, pero no va a ser facil Panchito necesita trabajar dia y noche y su familia necesita dinero. Este historia verdadera va a ayudar a comprender como nuestro economia funciono y como alguien como Panchito tenía que hacer para ir a un universidad. La meta que Panchito quería(ser un maestro)me hiso pensar en el párrafo que acabo de escribir que se trata de cómo ser exitoso. Yo pienso que Panchito tenía todos los elementos que escribía en mi párrafo, estímulo,(pienso que Panchito tenis estímulo más en sí mismo de en otras personas) perseverancia, y mantener su ojo en el premio y mucho mas y yo admirar que el tenga esos elementos con todo que estaba pasando en su vida. En conclusión, quiero decir que recomiendo este libro a niños de grados de secundaria y que leen este libro fantástico.