What do you think?
Rate this book
Cruzando El Pacifico
In this sequel to Taking Sides, Lincoln and his barrio brother Tony Contreras are invited to Japan as exchange students. During their stay, they learn about their own dual identity as Mexican Americans, family closeness, and the universality of hard work.
Library Binding
First published January 1, 1992
31 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Gary Soto
135 books246 followersGary 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 19, 2014
Fourteen-year-old Lincoln (Linc) Mendoza, a Franklin Junior High student of Mexican-American heritage who just finished seventh grade, lives with his mother in a Mission District barrio of San Francisco, CA. During the summer, Linc and his best friend, Tony Contreras, go to Japan as exchange students, and Linc will study shorinji kempo, a Japanese martial art. The boys are staying in Atami, a small farming village about three hours outside Tokyo, Linc with Mr. and Mrs. Ono and their son Mitsuo who is Linc’s age, and Tony with the Inaba family. Linc and Mitsuo become like brothers. How will Lincoln’s kempo studies go? Will he learn anything about Japanese culture? And will he be able to explain to his new friends what it means to be both Mexican and American?
Though it moves along at a slow, leisurely pace with little excitement or adventure, except when Mr. Ono gets bitten by a spider on a camping trip and Lincoln must drive him down the mountain to a hospital, the book has an interesting plot which provides a lot of information about Japanese and Mexican-American culture. There are glossaries in the back which explain both Spanish and Japanese words and phrases. As usual in much modern youth literature, there has to be the requisite broken home. It is said that the marriage between Linc’s dad, a policeman, and mom ended in divorce when the boy was seven and that he hadn’t seen his dad in six years. Linc’s mom was thinking of marrying her boyfriend Roy. However, this is contrasted to the stability and affection between Mr. and Mrs. Ono in their marriage which Linc longingly notices. The boys do show some rebelliousness towards the police during their trip to Tokyo. A number of references to smoking cigarettes and cigars, as Mr. Ono is a smoker, and to drinking beer and sake occur.
Of course, the Onos are Buddhists, so mention is made of some Buddhist religious beliefs and practices. While they are not overemphasized, they are presented in a way that would make multiculturalists happy—they’re Buddhist, Linc is a Catholic, and everyone’s okay. At the same time, it is good to learn true respect and tolerance towards others with different beliefs. As to language, we do find out that “mis nalgas” means “my butt.” One other annoying event is found. When Linc and Mitsuo finally escape from the policemen chasing them in Tokyo, they turn around and yell, “Like h---.” It still amazes me that so many modern authors can write a basically nice story with no cursing or profanity for the most part, that while reading one begins to think that here is a book which can be recommended with hardly any reservations, but then right at the end they seem to feel that they just have to throw in some bad language, usually with the excuse that is it needed to make it sound “realistic.” Otherwise, I would have given this book a good rating instead of just fair.
Though it moves along at a slow, leisurely pace with little excitement or adventure, except when Mr. Ono gets bitten by a spider on a camping trip and Lincoln must drive him down the mountain to a hospital, the book has an interesting plot which provides a lot of information about Japanese and Mexican-American culture. There are glossaries in the back which explain both Spanish and Japanese words and phrases. As usual in much modern youth literature, there has to be the requisite broken home. It is said that the marriage between Linc’s dad, a policeman, and mom ended in divorce when the boy was seven and that he hadn’t seen his dad in six years. Linc’s mom was thinking of marrying her boyfriend Roy. However, this is contrasted to the stability and affection between Mr. and Mrs. Ono in their marriage which Linc longingly notices. The boys do show some rebelliousness towards the police during their trip to Tokyo. A number of references to smoking cigarettes and cigars, as Mr. Ono is a smoker, and to drinking beer and sake occur.
Of course, the Onos are Buddhists, so mention is made of some Buddhist religious beliefs and practices. While they are not overemphasized, they are presented in a way that would make multiculturalists happy—they’re Buddhist, Linc is a Catholic, and everyone’s okay. At the same time, it is good to learn true respect and tolerance towards others with different beliefs. As to language, we do find out that “mis nalgas” means “my butt.” One other annoying event is found. When Linc and Mitsuo finally escape from the policemen chasing them in Tokyo, they turn around and yell, “Like h---.” It still amazes me that so many modern authors can write a basically nice story with no cursing or profanity for the most part, that while reading one begins to think that here is a book which can be recommended with hardly any reservations, but then right at the end they seem to feel that they just have to throw in some bad language, usually with the excuse that is it needed to make it sound “realistic.” Otherwise, I would have given this book a good rating instead of just fair.
March 22, 2017
After I began reading Pacific Crossing, I read a few reviews of the book. It appears to be popular with the teens but not so popular with adults. By the end of the book, I rather liked it.
It's a different kind of book. You can't use it to teach plot structure but it would be great for chronological order. It's the story of a boy's summer vacation in Japan. There're no real problems to be confronted or anything. There're no antagonists. No one is a hero; no one is a victim. It's just life. I found it charming.
The character doesn't grow much except in ways that I'd expect a young man to grow after experiencing a new culture. I think a lot of my students, especially those interested in Japan or Hispanics, would identify with Lincoln Mendoza.
It's a very multicultural book. Lincoln is growing up in a Hispanic neighborhood in San Francisco. He visits rural Japan--not exotic Tokyo (although he does visit Tokyo briefly). In Japan, he is immersed in gardening and kenpo, a martial art he was studying in San Francisco.
At the end of the book are two dictionaries. One contains Spanish words and vocabulary; the other contains a list of Japanese words and vocabulary. I can see my students learning new words and phrases and driving me crazy with their newfound knowledge.
It's a different kind of book. You can't use it to teach plot structure but it would be great for chronological order. It's the story of a boy's summer vacation in Japan. There're no real problems to be confronted or anything. There're no antagonists. No one is a hero; no one is a victim. It's just life. I found it charming.
The character doesn't grow much except in ways that I'd expect a young man to grow after experiencing a new culture. I think a lot of my students, especially those interested in Japan or Hispanics, would identify with Lincoln Mendoza.
It's a very multicultural book. Lincoln is growing up in a Hispanic neighborhood in San Francisco. He visits rural Japan--not exotic Tokyo (although he does visit Tokyo briefly). In Japan, he is immersed in gardening and kenpo, a martial art he was studying in San Francisco.
At the end of the book are two dictionaries. One contains Spanish words and vocabulary; the other contains a list of Japanese words and vocabulary. I can see my students learning new words and phrases and driving me crazy with their newfound knowledge.
July 13, 2012
If you are merely reading this book for sheer adult entertainment, this is not the novel for you. This is a book written with the teenager in mind. It is quite suited particularly for students who have a desire to travel or for students who have experienced a move to a foreign country. The theme present here is "Stranger in a Strange Land." As an American teacher teaching students in Taiwan, I have found that the students enjoy learning about the protagonist of this story, Lincoln, a Mexican-American living as an exchange student in Japan. The boy experiences homesickness and culture shock before he begins to appreciate the differences between the Mexican-American and Japanese cultures. He also takes an interest in kempo karate.
I begin teaching this book by directing an activity centered around a few questions: "Have you traveled to any other countries? How did you feel?" Or, if they have not, asking, "Which countries would you like to visit? How would you feel at first?" This book also offers a wonderful opportunity to teach vocabulary words, as words in three languages (English, Spanish, and Japanese) can be found in this book. Students will be scrambling to the back index for many words and the dictionary as well! This is a WONDERFUL and effective book to teach to students.
I begin teaching this book by directing an activity centered around a few questions: "Have you traveled to any other countries? How did you feel?" Or, if they have not, asking, "Which countries would you like to visit? How would you feel at first?" This book also offers a wonderful opportunity to teach vocabulary words, as words in three languages (English, Spanish, and Japanese) can be found in this book. Students will be scrambling to the back index for many words and the dictionary as well! This is a WONDERFUL and effective book to teach to students.
January 9, 2020
Easy book, only 126 pages long. Story follows a boy, and his journey to Japan. It's a nice story that explores both Mexican and Japanese cultures, from the viewpoint of a fourteen year old. Overall, intresting story.
September 29, 2015
Do you like books that talk mostly about a personal life of a person? If yes then this book would be for you. The genre of this book is realistic fiction. I really like this book because to me it is interesting because of all of the things happening like,SPOILER ALERT,when Lincoln goes to Japan in a plane because the school gave him to another school for a little while.
This takes place in Japan and the time of the book is current time so present. Lincoln wanted to be in the club which is called shorinji kempo, but it was real hard, so then he practiced and then he got better at it. The conflict of the story is person vs group because Lincoln has to fight his way in order to be in club because it has to do something with karate. The lesson that is learned in this book is overcoming obstacles, because Lincoln never gives up.
The major event that changed the character was when he went to Japan and saw his new family because when he was there he wanted to work and be polite so that they can know that he is a good worker. The passage helps show how the character is by showing that he is polite to the family that he is with.
I was surprised when the person that owns the club said that Lincoln was strong and that he was perfect for that club.My favorite part was when Lincoln was in a showering place and you had to be 18 and older to go to the game center in the same place so he sneaked there and played until he was forced out.
I would rate this book five stars because to me it was very interesting. I recommend this book to people that like to read books about peoples life like diary of a wimpy kid. So if you are a person that likes to read books about people lives then this book would be for you.
This takes place in Japan and the time of the book is current time so present. Lincoln wanted to be in the club which is called shorinji kempo, but it was real hard, so then he practiced and then he got better at it. The conflict of the story is person vs group because Lincoln has to fight his way in order to be in club because it has to do something with karate. The lesson that is learned in this book is overcoming obstacles, because Lincoln never gives up.
The major event that changed the character was when he went to Japan and saw his new family because when he was there he wanted to work and be polite so that they can know that he is a good worker. The passage helps show how the character is by showing that he is polite to the family that he is with.
I was surprised when the person that owns the club said that Lincoln was strong and that he was perfect for that club.My favorite part was when Lincoln was in a showering place and you had to be 18 and older to go to the game center in the same place so he sneaked there and played until he was forced out.
I would rate this book five stars because to me it was very interesting. I recommend this book to people that like to read books about peoples life like diary of a wimpy kid. So if you are a person that likes to read books about people lives then this book would be for you.
September 29, 2010
This book made me think about a time that i have to go to a place to find intervene and to learn about my mistake and more.I always read this book at home,at school and in football game.I liked how the author started the book by saying "He looked to his right and saw the sun rising.I realy liked this book because it used some characters from the last book TAKING SIDES its nice to know that best friend would tavel around the world together.I got angry when the book ended i thought something more interesting was going to happen but i guess i have to wait untill the next book.I liked how the author made characted lincoln mendoza so athletic like me.If i was the author of this book i would use more climax and more details that will make this book a five stars.I gave this book four stars because i didnt liked how the author did on page 78 it got me mad.After i finish this book it got to me why cant life have a happy endind like in book.Then it came to me their is happy endind you just have to make a happy ending.Like my great reading teacher told me uyou just have to believe and boy i did believe.I would love read another book by GARY SOTO i think he is a author that can explain things right.Hope to read the next book after this one
July 12, 2012
Because he takes lessons in Kempo, one of the Japanese arts, Lincoln and his friend Tony are given the opportunity to be exchange students to Japan for six weeks, to live with a family and to learn as much about the culture as possible. I love Gary Soto's books, and found this one in an audio book which was read well by Robert Ramirez. Soto wrote a good story, but it seemed a little brief to me. The exciting scenes, easy to spot, were just not long enough, seemed abrupt in their endings. Yet, the characters and the adventures were fun and even harrowing sometimes. Lincoln became close to his Japanese family; they treated him with such welcome into their home, were patient with him, and even at first found it alarming that he wanted to help, in the fields, or with other chores. Lincoln's character seems like the usual bored young teen when Soto first introduced him in his home in San Francisco, but he grew a bit on this trip, learning that making good choices was better than the other way. The ending was satisfying, the parts of the culture shared were fine, but I have no way to tell if this seems like stereotyping or not.
May 17, 2010
14 year old Mexican American Lincoln Mendoza and his friend Tony are going to do a foreign exchange program to Japan. Lincoln becomes friends with his host family and learns about life in a different country and kempo, a kind of martial arts.
This book was geared towards a younger audience of boys (11-13). It was a fairly easy read, and had a simple story. The only thing that people might not like about reading Pacific Crossing is that you have to flip back and forth between a Spanish and Japanese glossary of terms. To be honest I did not like this book very much. I thought that the plot was very simple, and the story had no real climax. I did not understand the point of having the kempo in the book because it did not make the story progress at all. I felt like it was a kind of filler. All of the relationships were also very simple, and I never felt like I really connected with any of the characters.
This book was geared towards a younger audience of boys (11-13). It was a fairly easy read, and had a simple story. The only thing that people might not like about reading Pacific Crossing is that you have to flip back and forth between a Spanish and Japanese glossary of terms. To be honest I did not like this book very much. I thought that the plot was very simple, and the story had no real climax. I did not understand the point of having the kempo in the book because it did not make the story progress at all. I felt like it was a kind of filler. All of the relationships were also very simple, and I never felt like I really connected with any of the characters.
June 15, 2018
Pacific Crossing gives the reader a glimpse into two worlds, as 14-year-old Lincoln Mendoza narrates his experience as a Mexican-American kid traveling for a foreign exchange program in Japan. Although Soto includes interesting, unique cultural experiences (Lincoln practices a martial art called kempo) and an onslaught of late 80’s slang, the story felt choppy and undeveloped at times. Many events felt random and out of the blue, with little connecting theme.
However, the book is not without merit. Lincoln is both likable and introspective. He worries about his single mother back in San Francisco and works hard to help his new Japanese family. But other characters are hard to connect with and some events feel forced (especially a scene in which they discuss Hiroshima).
If you’re looking for a quick read, with a lot of action, the little realistic fiction is a fair choice.
However, the book is not without merit. Lincoln is both likable and introspective. He worries about his single mother back in San Francisco and works hard to help his new Japanese family. But other characters are hard to connect with and some events feel forced (especially a scene in which they discuss Hiroshima).
If you’re looking for a quick read, with a lot of action, the little realistic fiction is a fair choice.
January 22, 2020
Pacific Crossing focuses on the life of Lincoln Mendoza as he leaves his mom behind in San Fransico as he and his good friend, his teammate, his "barrio brother" Tony Contreraz travel on a school-sponsored trip to Tokyo. Personally, I believe the book was very intriguing, it had me interested throughout the entire story. It was inspiring compared to other books I have read, I really admired Lincoln's work ethic as he learned the martial art of Shorinji Kempo all while finding time to help his new family in Tokyo. Essentially, I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in books about adventure or anyone who is in disbelief that they can do anything they set their mind to, regardless of where they are born.
December 24, 2025
I chose to read this book because, first of all, it was short and would help me with my reading goal. Secondly, it is set in Japan; having lived in Japan, it held some interest. I found the story to be authentic to what I know about Japan. For example, Mr. Ono seems to constantly be smoking; for whatever reason, a large majority of Japanese men smoke. A lot.
Anyway, back to the book. This was intended for a young teenage audience, and I think it hits the mark. It is a good introduction to a culture unfamiliar to many young people. Japan and Japanese culture are, of course, the primary focus, but the book also talks quite a bit about Mexican American culture.
Anyway, back to the book. This was intended for a young teenage audience, and I think it hits the mark. It is a good introduction to a culture unfamiliar to many young people. Japan and Japanese culture are, of course, the primary focus, but the book also talks quite a bit about Mexican American culture.
June 3, 2015
Because fourteen-year-old Lincoln Mendoza and his best friend Tony have an interest in martial arts, they are chosen to be exchange
Students in Japan for the summer. The family Lincoln stays with has a son his age, Mitsuo, and the two become good friends. In between
Adventures Lincoln and Mitsuo’s family learn about each other and their cultures.
Students in Japan for the summer. The family Lincoln stays with has a son his age, Mitsuo, and the two become good friends. In between
Adventures Lincoln and Mitsuo’s family learn about each other and their cultures.
June 3, 2018
A very uplifting story about a Mexican American getting the chance to go to Japan and spend the summer. I think the way the author teaches the reader about Japanese culture is very interesting and fulfilling. You would like this book if you like a book about friendship and learning about different cultures. I think the theme is friendship through any culture is possible.
May 22, 2015
Listened to the audio. Jacob rates 4 stars, Ellie and mom 3 stars
March 6, 2020
I read the book pacific Crossing by Gary Soto. It is a realistic fiction book. The story is about two boys that live in San Francisco during the 1980s. They joined a school program that allows them to spend the summer with a family in Japan. Life in Japan is very different from their life in the United States. The main character is Lincoln. Lincoln spends his time in Japan practicing martial arts. He gets very good at it and before he gets home he wins a tournament in Japan. Lincoln eats strange food and learns how to work hard. He will miss his Japanese family when he returns home. His Japanese family told him that they are going to visit his place next time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 12, 2023
If this book is trying to introduce you into the Japanese culture, it is doing it in a very poorly way. There are barely descriptions of the places, just a few phrases in Japanese and literally nothing happen in the story. Which it’s a shame, i think with a better execution this would have been very educational.
December 31, 2024
This was a good book to use for my reading group.
I was able to supplement with more knowledge about the Japanese culture, although I did not like that he thought of himself as a Mexican... While that is his heritage, he is an American. Him being from California but not claiming his American nature confused my students.
I was able to supplement with more knowledge about the Japanese culture, although I did not like that he thought of himself as a Mexican... While that is his heritage, he is an American. Him being from California but not claiming his American nature confused my students.
January 5, 2019
the worst book ever
November 19, 2019
it is a good book for everyone
February 19, 2020
This is a good book.
May 14, 2008
I picked this up as a timekiller at work today. With respect to Mr. Soto, who is a talented writer and promoter of Chicano lit, it was pretty forgettable. It's one of those shiny happy multicultural stories with 70s slang but excessive references to Hammer. Back in 92 (when I read stacks of these heartwarming PC tales) a cross-cultural book about kids from backgrounds neither white nor black filled a big need, but that's sort of the sum of the plot. From what I can tell, any coming of age took place in the previous story. If you take anything from this sequel it will be how to say things like "Hey carnal, let's shake hands raza style and then go practice kempo at the dojo. I sure miss those frijoles in the barrio, but these nigirimeshi are heavy, ese." (This isn't QUITE a direct quote, but it's close, and it's easy to make your own cultural exchange madlibs from the glossary in the back.)
July 23, 2009
A young Mexican-American youth travels to Japan to spend the summer with a Japanese family in a cultural exchange program. Not much drama, and not much character development (our character doesn't spend much time thinking about the differences in the cultures and trying to grow from understanding the differences). As a result, the book tends to be a bit shallow.
January 28, 2014
I didn't find this book very good. It lacked detail, was short, and had a boring plot line. The only reason I chose to read this book was because the cover looked interesting, and it was a disappointment. Wasn't a great book. Wouldn't recommend it.
June 24, 2019
Uno de los libros que leí durante mi infancia y que encontré en la biblioteca de mi pueblo, quizá esa es la razón de mi aprecio por él. Simple (quizá un poco abrupto y superficial), anecdótico, multicultural, inocente.
November 16, 2015
I believe this book was really great. Who would ever have thought to write book about a middle school kid who went from good to life, then bad to life, then back to good. From a boy who knew virtually nothing about
June 4, 2008
This book gave me book reports every year from sixth grade to high school.
August 18, 2008
good reading for young adults... love the way soto uses tex-mex/spanglish...
April 30, 2010
I'm a Gary Soto fan and have read several of his other books but this one just didn't hold my attention.
October 19, 2009
this book is very interesting but at some points it gets alittle boring
February 15, 2012
I think this is a good and interesting book i would suggest this book to anyone who likes a good story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews