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The Crossing
Manny Bustos is an orphan, scrabbling for survival on the streets of Juáurez, Mexico. He sleeps in a cardboard box and fights with boys bigger and older than him for the coins American tourists through off the bridge between El Paso, Texas, and his town.
Across the border, Sergeant Robert S. Locke, Vietnam vet and Army prefect, searches for a way to drown the cries for help of his dead friends, and finds it in Cutty Sark whiskey. On the night Manny dares the crossing, through the muddy shallows of the Rio Grande, past searchlights and border patrol, in the hopes of a better life, the two meet in an explosive encounter that fills the night with tension and endless possibilities.
Across the border, Sergeant Robert S. Locke, Vietnam vet and Army prefect, searches for a way to drown the cries for help of his dead friends, and finds it in Cutty Sark whiskey. On the night Manny dares the crossing, through the muddy shallows of the Rio Grande, past searchlights and border patrol, in the hopes of a better life, the two meet in an explosive encounter that fills the night with tension and endless possibilities.
128 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
90 people are currently reading
757 people want to read
About the author
Gary Paulsen
408 books3,978 followersGary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
March 24, 2015
I think that I have finally found a book that I like, that can replace another book with a lower lexile score. This book is rated 1150 on the lexile score, and it is easy to read. It's also short, has a boy hero, and follows my theme of You can Make a Difference. So, I'm going to start teaching this book this year. It was recommended by the Gates Common Core committee. I've checked out many of their titles, and this one will work for me. Yeah!! **stop here for spoilers*** In this book 14 year old orphan boy of mixed heritage, he has red hair, wants to improve his life by crossing into the USA to work. Now his life consists of begging for money, always being hungry, fighting off older boys who steal the little money he gets, and running from men who want to kidnap him and sell him as a slave. He meets a sergeant stationed across the border who has troubles of his own. This man is fighting the horrors of fighting in Vietnam; he drinks to keep the 'friends' away from haunting him. He decides to feed the boy, and give him money, and in doing so he helps his own horrors. In the last scene four men come to take Manny to be a slave and he fights all four of them. He is cut badly from their knives, but he kills all four of them. Manny tries to get the man to run with him, so he won't be in trouble, but instead the man hands him his wallet and tells him to run, to go across the border and make a life for himself. The story abruptly ends there. We don't know if either person is safe. We are left to finish the details ourselves. I think that this will be a great discussion in my classes. Also this is a short book, also good since we need to add nonfiction reading to the unit.
Warning-- the man drinks, he goes to bars where ladies who are almost naked dance. This might be offensive to some. It was recommended to 11-13 year olds. Go figure. He doesn't like smoking however.
Warning-- the man drinks, he goes to bars where ladies who are almost naked dance. This might be offensive to some. It was recommended to 11-13 year olds. Go figure. He doesn't like smoking however.
February 13, 2022
No. Pointless.
September 23, 2019
I enjoyed this somewhat sad book about a young, homeless, orphan named Manny who lives in the dangerous streets of Juarez, Mexico, and dreams of crossing into the United States. It was also about an army sergeant who has seen a lot of war and is scarred deeply by it and he comes to Juarez to drink and forget. This was another of my daughter’s assigned reading books. She didn’t enjoy it, but I thought it was good and provided an appreciation for the good life we take for granted.
March 24, 2014
I am going to go against the tide of the overall reviews here and suggest that this was too mature for most youths, and it's too simplistic for older readers.
Manny is an illiterate street urchin in Mexico and he dreams of making it to America where he can get a job, buy a shirt with shiny buttons, and put a roof over his head. He knows he needs some food and money to make it through the crossing. He knows he cannot trust the coyotes to take him, because they sometimes take everyone's money, rape the women, and kill them. But he can't stay in Mexico either because of the hawks, gangs of teens hoodlums who kidnap street kids and sell them to men who like boys.
Now, the first time this hawk matter was referenced in the book, I thought to myself, hmmm, maybe my kid will sorta gloss over that, figuring that it just refers to plain ol' kidnapping, which is of course understood by even the youngest readers to be bad. But this sexual threat keeps coming up, again, and again, and again, AND again, to the point where I started keeping count and I think I noticed five distinct references to it. I don't know what the appropriate age or grade for learning about forced sodomy is, but I'm guessing it's a minimum of 8th grade. The edition I read had no age recommendations anywhere inside or out, and it looks like every other book intended for a 4th grade reading level. The cover's description did not mention the mature content. The picture on the cover of the edition I read depicts a boy about age 10 or less, but definitely not a teenager.
Manny sees a way out with the unlikeliest of saviors, the troubled gringo veteran. Great plan, Paulsen: Tell the unprotected kids of the world that they are safe with a foreign, single man who has waking delusions and self-medicates his visions away!
In an adult context, a mature discussion about problems facing our veterans with PTSD is always welcome. But this book, written in 1987 and referring back to problems originating in the Vietnam conflict, simply comes across as an ABC Movie of the Week from 1973. The troubled veteran stereotype used as a plot prop needs to be retired as much as the limp-wristed coward, the man-hating lesbian, and the undereducated negro have disappeared from books and movies you would even consider entertaining your children with. And this character isn't just a little troubled. No, he has visions of the dead, visions that can only be dispersed by drinking large quantities of hard liquor in Juarez titty bars until he experiences a blackout.
Paulsen did some homework. His description of life south of the border is compelling, and he was using terms like 'coyote' before it became part of our northern national lingo. His description of the utter uselessness of the bullfight was spot-on perfect, speaking as someone who was appalled the first and last time they saw one of those bloody spectacles. There is a half-decent story here, with the dying soldier sacrificing himself for the kid, and managing to give the kid just enough resources to make it to a better place.
But when you add up a couple factors here, the adult content of the sexual threat to the boy, and the not particularly adult treatment of the veteran, this ends up being a book for nobody. Kids need time to be kids, and this book isn't appropriate for its targeted age group.
Manny is an illiterate street urchin in Mexico and he dreams of making it to America where he can get a job, buy a shirt with shiny buttons, and put a roof over his head. He knows he needs some food and money to make it through the crossing. He knows he cannot trust the coyotes to take him, because they sometimes take everyone's money, rape the women, and kill them. But he can't stay in Mexico either because of the hawks, gangs of teens hoodlums who kidnap street kids and sell them to men who like boys.
Now, the first time this hawk matter was referenced in the book, I thought to myself, hmmm, maybe my kid will sorta gloss over that, figuring that it just refers to plain ol' kidnapping, which is of course understood by even the youngest readers to be bad. But this sexual threat keeps coming up, again, and again, and again, AND again, to the point where I started keeping count and I think I noticed five distinct references to it. I don't know what the appropriate age or grade for learning about forced sodomy is, but I'm guessing it's a minimum of 8th grade. The edition I read had no age recommendations anywhere inside or out, and it looks like every other book intended for a 4th grade reading level. The cover's description did not mention the mature content. The picture on the cover of the edition I read depicts a boy about age 10 or less, but definitely not a teenager.
Manny sees a way out with the unlikeliest of saviors, the troubled gringo veteran. Great plan, Paulsen: Tell the unprotected kids of the world that they are safe with a foreign, single man who has waking delusions and self-medicates his visions away!
In an adult context, a mature discussion about problems facing our veterans with PTSD is always welcome. But this book, written in 1987 and referring back to problems originating in the Vietnam conflict, simply comes across as an ABC Movie of the Week from 1973. The troubled veteran stereotype used as a plot prop needs to be retired as much as the limp-wristed coward, the man-hating lesbian, and the undereducated negro have disappeared from books and movies you would even consider entertaining your children with. And this character isn't just a little troubled. No, he has visions of the dead, visions that can only be dispersed by drinking large quantities of hard liquor in Juarez titty bars until he experiences a blackout.
Paulsen did some homework. His description of life south of the border is compelling, and he was using terms like 'coyote' before it became part of our northern national lingo. His description of the utter uselessness of the bullfight was spot-on perfect, speaking as someone who was appalled the first and last time they saw one of those bloody spectacles. There is a half-decent story here, with the dying soldier sacrificing himself for the kid, and managing to give the kid just enough resources to make it to a better place.
But when you add up a couple factors here, the adult content of the sexual threat to the boy, and the not particularly adult treatment of the veteran, this ends up being a book for nobody. Kids need time to be kids, and this book isn't appropriate for its targeted age group.
February 6, 2018
The book "The Crossing" is a very interesting read. It gives a sad but ore realistic story of a boy named Manny Bustos who is struggling throughout his entire life. He competes with the older rivals who want to survive just like him, they will hurt even hurt each other for american tourists coins. All he wants to do is start a new life in the Americas, however it isn't as easy as he thinks it is and he comes across many obstacles in the way of him getting across to El Paso.
I wold highly recommend this book to anyone because it makes you really appreciate what you have and the struggle that others have to go through just to get to our country. On the night that he decided to cross the Rio Grande to pass search lights and the border patrol he comes across a man who can be his ally more than an enemy. He doesn't trust the man because of his experience on the streets and throughout his life dealing with others. It really shows who can be a true ally and true enemy to you. This book is very interesting and will keep you wanting to read it. I really enjoyed the book overall because it showed me that i shouldn’t take everything for granted and how i should be grateful for what I have today.
If anyone would be looking for a book this is it. It’s not too long and it’s nkt too short also it gives a bit of suspense towards the end of the novel which for me is a favorite. However there are some downsides to the book. More of a back story and other events in my opinion would make the make even better than it already is. So in my opinion this is probably one of the BEST books I’ve read so far!
I wold highly recommend this book to anyone because it makes you really appreciate what you have and the struggle that others have to go through just to get to our country. On the night that he decided to cross the Rio Grande to pass search lights and the border patrol he comes across a man who can be his ally more than an enemy. He doesn't trust the man because of his experience on the streets and throughout his life dealing with others. It really shows who can be a true ally and true enemy to you. This book is very interesting and will keep you wanting to read it. I really enjoyed the book overall because it showed me that i shouldn’t take everything for granted and how i should be grateful for what I have today.
If anyone would be looking for a book this is it. It’s not too long and it’s nkt too short also it gives a bit of suspense towards the end of the novel which for me is a favorite. However there are some downsides to the book. More of a back story and other events in my opinion would make the make even better than it already is. So in my opinion this is probably one of the BEST books I’ve read so far!
January 15, 2011
Young Manny Bustos is trying to stay alive on the streets. He’s an orphaned, homeless and society is not kind to him. Manny has to rely on begging and pick-pocketing tourist. One day Manny sergeant Robert S. Locke and “befriends” him. Locke is a cold man struggling with the trauma of war but he still treats Manny well. Soon Locke becomes the only one Manny can rely on.
The Crossing teaches us that there will be one person you can rely one. Manny was able to rely on Locke when no one helped him. Just like Manny there will be one person you can rely on and who that person is can surprise. I don’t agree with this lesson. Sometimes you have to rely on only yourself and no one else.
I didn’t like the main character at all. The main character seems like a brat to me. He acts like he’s better than everyone. He annoys me and reminds me of my younger cousin. Manny tricks people by acting innocent so he can get their money. My cousin is also like that. She pretends to be nice to get her way. A side from that, the book was generally boring. It focused too much on describing pointless thing.
October 27, 2012
I actually liked this book, but I am concerned about what age group should read it. Paulsen often writes stories with a political agenda, and though they tell of real circumstances these stories are generally dark and dispairing. He also writes stories for young children. The subject matter in this book is, I feel, for mature readers who can understand the under currents of the sergeant's problems and alcoholism as well as his internal dialogue. There are too many adult issues in this book to inflict it on younger readers. I also take issue with Gary Paulson's interview at the end in which he states he hates the army and had an alcohol problem there himself. A younger audience needs an honest, positive message and something they can relate to. An older audience needs honesty,too, but a more complete and balanced statement to explain the opinion or feeling.
October 16, 2018
For the renouned author of Hatchet, 1987 was apparent a banner vintage year, in which both this and that. With 200 books, I guess many years had many books.
This one is simple: a boy, a man, both trying to escape, in a broken border town.
Masterful character building tells the whole tight story. I specially enjoyed how naturally their thoughts drifted, as the author shared everything with us. “Strange way to put it, he thought, and wondered why so many things in the army were strange and seem to be without meeting. […] Call everything what it wasn’t and change what it was…” (P 70) “He was back to normal lies, and Robert had heard those and done those himself. He had become so good at them now that he could tell normal lies to himself, and while he did not always believe the lies he told himself they often made him pause to be certain he was lying. The boy could tell him nothing about lying.” (P 86)
The troubles and villains don’t satisfy me, but maybe okay for teens, content with this synthetic veneered danger. Few plot surprises, except the exceptional one at the end, that made it great. The people, the bull, even the extras all felt real. The cleverness of how the stories tall is worth the hour or two to digest it.
The border has changed so much since 1987. And Pepsi was still in cans. Sadly 30 years on, not much in Juarez is now better for anyone.
This one is simple: a boy, a man, both trying to escape, in a broken border town.
Masterful character building tells the whole tight story. I specially enjoyed how naturally their thoughts drifted, as the author shared everything with us. “Strange way to put it, he thought, and wondered why so many things in the army were strange and seem to be without meeting. […] Call everything what it wasn’t and change what it was…” (P 70) “He was back to normal lies, and Robert had heard those and done those himself. He had become so good at them now that he could tell normal lies to himself, and while he did not always believe the lies he told himself they often made him pause to be certain he was lying. The boy could tell him nothing about lying.” (P 86)
The troubles and villains don’t satisfy me, but maybe okay for teens, content with this synthetic veneered danger. Few plot surprises, except the exceptional one at the end, that made it great. The people, the bull, even the extras all felt real. The cleverness of how the stories tall is worth the hour or two to digest it.
The border has changed so much since 1987. And Pepsi was still in cans. Sadly 30 years on, not much in Juarez is now better for anyone.
November 15, 2015
Gary Paulsen did a nice job on the plot of this book but he coud've made the point of it clearer. There are a few parts of this book that some children shoudn't read because it shows many of the bad sides of life. It coudve been more positive. I also believe he coud've done a better job on the ending of this book. There were also many good parts of this book such as the build up to the main events. He did a great job on showing the main character, Manny's backround. He also did good on expressing his poverty and his view on it. Although his charater developement wasn't too good, he still had great traits the whole time. For example, he was extremely determined to make the crossing to America and didn't thnk about what could go wrong. He didn't let what other people said about his idea of the crossing stop him. He really wanted to live a better life out of poverty and this goal of his is well expressed throughout the entire book. Over all, There was a little more good things about this book than bad things. I would reccomend this book to anyone who likes books about adventure and suspense.
April 1, 2012
Heavy with meaning. Brilliantly crafted.
On the Mexico side of the border town Juarez, fourteen-year old Manny has one wish: cross the river. Hunger, border patrol, violently competitive beggarboys, and men in pointy-toed boots who hunt people as much for profit as for pleasure demand a lifestyle of absolute lies. Just to survive.
Seargent Robert S. Locke comes from the other side regularly to systematically liquor-drown haunting truths of his own past. Robert the soldier runs on autopilot. Robert the man stays numb as possible.
Until
the two meet. Robert the man emerges just twice, once for a bull, and once again for Manny.
Though not as violently explicit as Paulsen's NightJohn, the generically phrased references to men who buy small red-haired boys (among other vices mentioned) will raise questions in young readers. Parental/teacher guidance strongly recommended.
On the Mexico side of the border town Juarez, fourteen-year old Manny has one wish: cross the river. Hunger, border patrol, violently competitive beggarboys, and men in pointy-toed boots who hunt people as much for profit as for pleasure demand a lifestyle of absolute lies. Just to survive.
Seargent Robert S. Locke comes from the other side regularly to systematically liquor-drown haunting truths of his own past. Robert the soldier runs on autopilot. Robert the man stays numb as possible.
Until
the two meet. Robert the man emerges just twice, once for a bull, and once again for Manny.
Though not as violently explicit as Paulsen's NightJohn, the generically phrased references to men who buy small red-haired boys (among other vices mentioned) will raise questions in young readers. Parental/teacher guidance strongly recommended.
April 6, 2012
This is a good book for anyone who wants to see what happens for real. Outside of the United States. This is a very interesting book because it has the stories of two people. A soldier on duty on a border fort between Texas and Mexico. The other character is a poor young Mexican boy. Who is a orphan and dreams of crossing the border for a better life. There is a picture of the bridge on the front because that is the bridge because other children would be down there screaming and tourist to throw down money to them. Than at one part of the book both of the characters meet. Than the book gets way better. I also like the writing style of this author because he does well as being the two characters. Switching back and forth between charcters was a great feature. You should really try out this book.
January 7, 2015
My first Paulsen book. I liked it. Simple language for much heavier issues. Not a read for my 5th grader but still a valuable book for humans to read when ready to read about alcohol intake and mind numbing methods to retreat from military horrors. His subject matter and treatment were balanced. I like the simplicity of it. The point is not buried. The story is brief yet fills me with new ideas about poverty, survival, kindness and alcoholism. I don't need a long book for a snapshot of the Mexican border and what all could be happening there or for military veterans and their thoughts on coping. It takes place in several encounters but overall a short book. The book does it's job, moving me to consider outside experiences.
May 19, 2011
In The Crossing, young Manny longs for a better life. On the streets for many years, he has learned to survive by begging for money and food. Running alongside Manny's story is that of Lt. Locke, a complex character who is drinking in order to forget memories that torment him. For me, the story felt forced, and I didn't quite connect with the relationship between Manny and Locke, I think it could've used more development by the author. Manny's difficult life on the streets is realistically portrayed, but in the end, I found the overall story to be lacking.
April 18, 2015
The crossing is a great book geared towards young adults. I enjoyed reading this book and think everyone should pick it up for a quick read. It is about a young boy in Mexico that lives on the streets and fends for himself. He dreams to cross the border in hopes of making a life for himself in the US. He meets a US soldier that is drinking his days away in an attempt to escape from his own pain. They form a small friendship. Read it to see for yourself.
September 27, 2011
It was good esp. if you want to learn about imagrents.
April 4, 2025
it was ok.
(3/5)⭐️🛤️
(3/5)⭐️🛤️
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June 4, 2021I read “The Crossing” by Gary Paulsen in a traditional paper book copy. I chose this book because in 6th grade someone read this book and they said it was an interesting book. That is why I chose this book for this book review! The genre of this book is fiction. The main character is not only one person! The story switches different points of view. It switches between Manny, an orphan, and Robert Luke who is a sergeant. The setting of this book is Mexico.
In the book “The Crossing” by Gary Paulsen many shocking things happened. However before we get into all of that, you need to get to know more about this book. Manny is a 14 year old boy who is an orphan. He doesn't know who his mother and father are. She wants to go to America to get a better life for himself. if he doesn't cross to America he will either get s or die of hunger. Manny was a red headed boy. The Sergeant is in Mexico at the time. He is American. Manny is planning to go to America. he gets some food and stores it for later. As he tries to say goodbye to the people he knows something happens. Manny has enemies. The enemies want to kidnap him and sell him in return for money. These are one of the reasons why he wants to go to America. The enemies see that he is going somewhere, they grab him by the hair and tell him that he's not going to go anywhere and he's staying in Mexico. They steal all the food and money he had with him too. The Sergeant has a very bad alcohol addiction. Manny sees him drunk. He thinks that maybe he can either ask for money or steal money from him to get to America. He tries a move but the Sergeant is too fast. He lets him go. That's when they first met!
The ending was very sad and emotional for readers. A few days later they both went to a very fancy restaurant and ate a whole ton. Manny was very surprised. After all, he did try to steal his wallet when they first met. They helped each other in many ways. Manny asks him if he can help him get to America. He says yes! However the bully showed up again. They told the Sergeant to leave immediately or else something would happen. He didn't leave.The bullies got a knife out. They stab the Sergeant. He tells Manny to get his wallet and run away to America. At the end the Sergeant most likely died. As you can see this was a very emotional ending.
I would recommend this book to people who like action. I think this book is non-binary. I would recommend any gender to read this. I think this book is very appropriate for 7th graders. It gives a lot of information about people who are not as lucky as us. It tells us the struggles they have to go through. It shows us their side of the story. I honestly think if you like action books you should read this. It would be up to you. However I do think you should read this.
I think I did all normal job reading over the course of this marking period. Yes, I do think I should read more often. For me I feel like I like books about mystery and all that stuff. since this is the last marking. I would like to do better next year. Overall I would like to improve my reading skills. Although they did improve this year a lot.
In the book “The Crossing” by Gary Paulsen many shocking things happened. However before we get into all of that, you need to get to know more about this book. Manny is a 14 year old boy who is an orphan. He doesn't know who his mother and father are. She wants to go to America to get a better life for himself. if he doesn't cross to America he will either get s or die of hunger. Manny was a red headed boy. The Sergeant is in Mexico at the time. He is American. Manny is planning to go to America. he gets some food and stores it for later. As he tries to say goodbye to the people he knows something happens. Manny has enemies. The enemies want to kidnap him and sell him in return for money. These are one of the reasons why he wants to go to America. The enemies see that he is going somewhere, they grab him by the hair and tell him that he's not going to go anywhere and he's staying in Mexico. They steal all the food and money he had with him too. The Sergeant has a very bad alcohol addiction. Manny sees him drunk. He thinks that maybe he can either ask for money or steal money from him to get to America. He tries a move but the Sergeant is too fast. He lets him go. That's when they first met!
The ending was very sad and emotional for readers. A few days later they both went to a very fancy restaurant and ate a whole ton. Manny was very surprised. After all, he did try to steal his wallet when they first met. They helped each other in many ways. Manny asks him if he can help him get to America. He says yes! However the bully showed up again. They told the Sergeant to leave immediately or else something would happen. He didn't leave.The bullies got a knife out. They stab the Sergeant. He tells Manny to get his wallet and run away to America. At the end the Sergeant most likely died. As you can see this was a very emotional ending.
I would recommend this book to people who like action. I think this book is non-binary. I would recommend any gender to read this. I think this book is very appropriate for 7th graders. It gives a lot of information about people who are not as lucky as us. It tells us the struggles they have to go through. It shows us their side of the story. I honestly think if you like action books you should read this. It would be up to you. However I do think you should read this.
I think I did all normal job reading over the course of this marking period. Yes, I do think I should read more often. For me I feel like I like books about mystery and all that stuff. since this is the last marking. I would like to do better next year. Overall I would like to improve my reading skills. Although they did improve this year a lot.
May 8, 2017
Gary Paulsen, the well known, critically acclaimed novelist has done it again. I haven’t read many of his books, but the books of his that I have read are always worth it. This one follows suit, and is a definite quick read that you’ll love just as I did. As fourteen year old Manny, an orphan living on the streets of Juarez, Mexico fights to live everyday. He realizes that there is another world -- a new beginning on the other side… of the crossing. One day venturing near the Rio Grande in an attempt to enter America, he meets and old, stone cold man. This man is Sergeant Robert S. Locke, and he’s struggling through life as well. He is scarred by countless brutal battles in the war, and can’t live a day without remembering what gave up and the people he lost back then. Although Locke is as cold as they come, he finds relief in Manny, and they team up for one singular goal: to get to the other side.
I myself loved this book. It was an easy read, and for the most part, kept my attention throughout the entire story. I struggle with keeping my attention on books, but I had no issue with flipping to the next page on this one! Although, the beginning of the book seems a bit disorienting and can distract from what is happening. It also felt like it was a bit rushed. There is a lot that happens in the couple of days or 100 pages. This book could benefit greatly if it were more elaborate and detailed in some areas. But as far as complaints go, those are my only two. You can expect the story to go by fast since it is only 100 pages; I finished it in a day. The ending was by far the best part, and for as short of a time you have to get to know the two, you become attached to the characters very easily. This book would best suit someone looking for a quick read. You may be a busy person who doesn’t have time to sit down for two hours and read. That’s the reason this book was right for me, anyways. You won’t have trouble focusing, and before you know it, you’ll be upset that there isn’t any more pages to flip. I won’t spoil it, but it is definitely worth the read!
I myself loved this book. It was an easy read, and for the most part, kept my attention throughout the entire story. I struggle with keeping my attention on books, but I had no issue with flipping to the next page on this one! Although, the beginning of the book seems a bit disorienting and can distract from what is happening. It also felt like it was a bit rushed. There is a lot that happens in the couple of days or 100 pages. This book could benefit greatly if it were more elaborate and detailed in some areas. But as far as complaints go, those are my only two. You can expect the story to go by fast since it is only 100 pages; I finished it in a day. The ending was by far the best part, and for as short of a time you have to get to know the two, you become attached to the characters very easily. This book would best suit someone looking for a quick read. You may be a busy person who doesn’t have time to sit down for two hours and read. That’s the reason this book was right for me, anyways. You won’t have trouble focusing, and before you know it, you’ll be upset that there isn’t any more pages to flip. I won’t spoil it, but it is definitely worth the read!
September 28, 2018
The crossing is about a fourteen year old orphan named Manny Bustos who lives on the streets of Mexico. Manny is poor and wants to jump the border to the United States to find work and make a better life for himself. His way of making money is begging and catching the coins the tourists throw off the bridge. Manny meets a Sergeant named Robert S Locke, they later become friends. Both Manny and the Sergeant have problems and this gives them a friendship.
The book is very sad and would of been better if it had a more positive ending. I would read the book again simply because the book didn’t take long to read and the story was long for its size. The book shows the bad of some parts of the world and certain problems that people deal with. The crossing shows a bad part of Mexico and shows the lives of the people that live there. Although this book is good it contains a good amount of adult content. Therefore should not be read by younger kids.
I recommend this book to someone who wants a quick read. I would rate it 5/5 and read it again. This book does contain content that isn't ideal for a younger reader. It definitely has a dark theme going with it. I think the bad things mentioned in the book give it more of a reality check to the story. Read this book if you wanna learn some of the struggles in Mexico.
The book is very sad and would of been better if it had a more positive ending. I would read the book again simply because the book didn’t take long to read and the story was long for its size. The book shows the bad of some parts of the world and certain problems that people deal with. The crossing shows a bad part of Mexico and shows the lives of the people that live there. Although this book is good it contains a good amount of adult content. Therefore should not be read by younger kids.
I recommend this book to someone who wants a quick read. I would rate it 5/5 and read it again. This book does contain content that isn't ideal for a younger reader. It definitely has a dark theme going with it. I think the bad things mentioned in the book give it more of a reality check to the story. Read this book if you wanna learn some of the struggles in Mexico.
April 13, 2021
The English department at my middle school is considering teaching this book in eighth grade next year. I was tasked with reading it and reporting back my insights to the them.
Most people know Gary Paulsen from The Hatchet and the subsequent novels in the series. He’s like Hemingway for kids. He writes realistic fiction that romanticizes ruggedness, violence, and survival. The Crossing is a 1987 novella by Paulsen (very much in the same style) about an alcoholic U.S. Army sergeant and a young Mexican refugee. Their paths cross in Juarez. In a way, they both are trying to save each other.
There’s not a lot of character development here. Both protagonists are pretty flat. The plot is pretty simple. No spoilers but it was quite obvious where the book was going thanks to the heavy-handed symbolism.
I’m glad that my school wants to teach a book with non-white, non-American characters that highlights the struggles of refugees, but the problem is that this book is a textbook example of the white messiah complex. The haunted white man is the only salvation for a (mostly) passive Mexican boy.
Possible red flags for young readers (and I’m thinking of parents of my students who are easily offended): descriptions of a strip club, alcoholism (a LOT of alcoholism), suggestions of homosexual pedophilia, and a lot of violence.
Most people know Gary Paulsen from The Hatchet and the subsequent novels in the series. He’s like Hemingway for kids. He writes realistic fiction that romanticizes ruggedness, violence, and survival. The Crossing is a 1987 novella by Paulsen (very much in the same style) about an alcoholic U.S. Army sergeant and a young Mexican refugee. Their paths cross in Juarez. In a way, they both are trying to save each other.
There’s not a lot of character development here. Both protagonists are pretty flat. The plot is pretty simple. No spoilers but it was quite obvious where the book was going thanks to the heavy-handed symbolism.
I’m glad that my school wants to teach a book with non-white, non-American characters that highlights the struggles of refugees, but the problem is that this book is a textbook example of the white messiah complex. The haunted white man is the only salvation for a (mostly) passive Mexican boy.
Possible red flags for young readers (and I’m thinking of parents of my students who are easily offended): descriptions of a strip club, alcoholism (a LOT of alcoholism), suggestions of homosexual pedophilia, and a lot of violence.
May 30, 2018
I thought this book was interesting but some of the wording could have been a bit better but otherwise that the story had me hook, not right away but after the first few chapters, it had me captivated. I really enjoyed how much Manny had tried to cross with such ambition and yet struggled at the same time. The sergeant seemed so...lost...but he had a good reason. Being in so many wars and so many died, the only thing I don't agree with is how he substituted the pain with alcohol yet I do suppose he didn't have a care. It made me so confused as to how he helped Manny even though he knew that Manny was a lier just to survive. I guess Robert didn't want another...dead? Then again, the sergeant is probably always too drunk to even notice if he is even in reality and that it all just might be a dream. Maybe...he wanted to die for somebody that was in need of help because he wanted to serve his responsibilities just like his many friends did for hundreds...
September 20, 2022
Finished reading The Crossing by Gary Paulsen. He's a prolific author that writes in a number of ways.
Many of his works are coming of age stories.
This one seems to be, but it is not. You'll meet a young boy, a street urchin (one step...) and it seems like you'll follow him through his trials, but you don't. You'll see his life, you'll hear his desire, you may even think the book is about him.
No.
The alcoholic marine stops. He hears him...as he heard so many others. So...the little boy wants me to ask. Just like all the others...all the others lying against the green...the ones I could not help...they all wanted me to ask. They all wanted me to ask: "What do you want me to do?"
This time he asked the question and did not abandon his duty.
We have a duty to others (to help others) because of who we are. Not because of who they are, or because some authority demands it, but because of who we are.
Many of his works are coming of age stories.
This one seems to be, but it is not. You'll meet a young boy, a street urchin (one step...) and it seems like you'll follow him through his trials, but you don't. You'll see his life, you'll hear his desire, you may even think the book is about him.
No.
The alcoholic marine stops. He hears him...as he heard so many others. So...the little boy wants me to ask. Just like all the others...all the others lying against the green...the ones I could not help...they all wanted me to ask. They all wanted me to ask: "What do you want me to do?"
This time he asked the question and did not abandon his duty.
We have a duty to others (to help others) because of who we are. Not because of who they are, or because some authority demands it, but because of who we are.
September 20, 2022
Finished reading The Crossing by Gary Paulsen. He's a prolific author that writes in a number of ways.
Many of his works are coming of age stories.
This one seems to be, but it is not. You'll meet a young boy, a street urchin (one step...) and it seems like you'll follow him through his trials, but you don't. You'll see his life, you'll hear his desire, you may even think the book is about him.
No.
The alcoholic marine stops. He hears him...as he heard so many others. So...the little boy wants me to ask. Just like all the others...all the others lying against the green...the ones I could not help...they all wanted me to ask. They all wanted me to ask: "What do you want me to do?"
This time he asked the question and did not abandon his duty.
We have a duty to others (to help others) because of who we are. Not because of who they are, or because some authority demands it, but because of who we are.
Many of his works are coming of age stories.
This one seems to be, but it is not. You'll meet a young boy, a street urchin (one step...) and it seems like you'll follow him through his trials, but you don't. You'll see his life, you'll hear his desire, you may even think the book is about him.
No.
The alcoholic marine stops. He hears him...as he heard so many others. So...the little boy wants me to ask. Just like all the others...all the others lying against the green...the ones I could not help...they all wanted me to ask. They all wanted me to ask: "What do you want me to do?"
This time he asked the question and did not abandon his duty.
We have a duty to others (to help others) because of who we are. Not because of who they are, or because some authority demands it, but because of who we are.
March 6, 2019
This felt like Paulsen was channeling Hemingway here. This is one of his shorter books that might seem like it should be for younger readers, but it's definitely not. This is straight up YA. It's a story of a boy in Juarez, Mexico hoping to illegally cross into the United States and an alcoholic soldier haunted by his past. Their two lives unexpectedly intertwine through chance encounters in a gritty and dangerous border town. It's one of Paulsen's books that I'd never gotten around to reading before now, but with the current debate surrounding immigration policy, I decided now was as good a time as any. It wasn't what I expected, but for the right reader, I can see the appeal. It certainly paints a rather bleak picture for the protagonist, the boy from Juarez. The ending is certainly nontraditional. I don't think this one will be found in my elementary library any time soon.
December 14, 2023
Fourteen-year-old Manny Bustos has had enough of living on the streets of Juarez, and has decided to cross the river to Texas. After his first failed attempt, he strikes up an unlikely friendship with an army sergeant trying to escape the ghosts of Vietnam. For the first time, Manny finds someone he can trust, and the sergeant finds a reason to live.
I read this book in a day. It is brief, written in a simple but beautiful style. Paulsen is a master of voice. The point of view alternates between Manny and Robert. Both are flawed but highly sympathetic, and their cautious, gentle relationship was the crux of the story, bringing unexpected healing to both of them. I really enjoyed this book. The one negative for me was the abrupt, open-ended conclusion, but that is common in Paulsen's novels.
I read this book in a day. It is brief, written in a simple but beautiful style. Paulsen is a master of voice. The point of view alternates between Manny and Robert. Both are flawed but highly sympathetic, and their cautious, gentle relationship was the crux of the story, bringing unexpected healing to both of them. I really enjoyed this book. The one negative for me was the abrupt, open-ended conclusion, but that is common in Paulsen's novels.
October 23, 2025
The Crossing by Gary Paulsen turned out not to be the book I expected to read but I found it worthwhile reading regardless. I thought the book would focus on 14 year old Manny’s crossing the Rio Grande into the United States and his attempts to escape the Border Patrol and forge a new life in a new and strange land. Instead the book alternated between Manny barely surviving in a Mexican border city and the tale of Robert, aU.S. army sergeant trying to hold himself together as he suffers from severe PTSD. The lives of Manny and Robert intersect in an unexpected way.
The Crossing is notable for Paulsen’s gripping prose, and the author’s refusal to sugarcoat the harsh reality of Manny’s life, including the sexual predators who hunt him. The book is difficult to read at times and reminds me of Hemingway in its depiction of characters showing grace under pressure.
Recommended.
The Crossing is notable for Paulsen’s gripping prose, and the author’s refusal to sugarcoat the harsh reality of Manny’s life, including the sexual predators who hunt him. The book is difficult to read at times and reminds me of Hemingway in its depiction of characters showing grace under pressure.
Recommended.
January 8, 2019
In my opinion, The Crossing by Gary Paulsen was a very interesting book that really showed the true conflict between the two main characters. The author makes you feel sympathy for the children struggling to survive on their own in Mexico. Manny Bustos is a 14 year old orphan boy who was abandoned from his parents at such a young age. Later in the book, Manny later finds a sergeant in the back of an alley, who was vomiting away all the drinks he had that night. The main story plot revolves around each of these characters. Manny dreamed of crossing the bridge into another town that has many opportunities for him to move forward in his life and later on gets help from the sergeant to attempt the crossing. Overall, this book was very well written and composed.
February 6, 2021
Chance meetings with grand meaning imperceptible at the day, hour, or minute level prod readers to contemplate bravery and generosity. Robert is fascinating, rigid vice keeping his mind from imploding. The street experiences nurture Manny's resourcefulness and innocent vulgarity. I fret about the book's tomorrow - the how and if. Reading fiction cultivates empathy, yet empathy doesn't respond to the how and if at scale. I want to know more about the socioeconomic solutions that reduce reliance on the luck of "gold-in-the-gutter" people, like Robert, meeting motivated, impoverished people like Manny.
May 25, 2021
the crossing is a very good book it is a little intense but is worth reading. If you don't like reading long books then this is the book for you. It gives you a little glimpse on what is was like for people living in Mexico espeshily if they were poor and did not have much money. Manny is very poor he has no parents and no money he spends most of his time begging and asking for money. Till one day he meets Sargent Locke who will change his life forever. There is a part that is violent that dose describe it but is is worth the read. There are some dry parts but just hang in there it will be worth it in the end.
September 6, 2021
Synopsis: The Crossing by Gary Paulsen is a short novel that follows a street-savvy young orphan's desperate attempt to leave the tough streets of Juarez, Mexico for the more peaceful and promising streets of El Paso, Texas. Concurrently, the novel develops the story of a U.S. Army Sergeant suffering from PTSD, as a result of his service in Vietnam. The path of these unlikey compatriots eventually cross in this exciting and suspenseful story of human survival.
Themes/Curriculum Connections: Immigration; PTSD; Vietnam War veterans; coming of age; orphans.
Age/Grade Recommendation: Middle to early high school
Themes/Curriculum Connections: Immigration; PTSD; Vietnam War veterans; coming of age; orphans.
Age/Grade Recommendation: Middle to early high school
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