Lauran Burnham’s Reviews > The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child > Status Update

“To Have and To Hold” explores the idea that having something does not equate a tangible holding of that object. Two of Panchito’s favorite things—his penny collection and his librito—were lost. One to his little sister’s acquisition of gumballs and the other to a house fire. His mother taught him that in the end he had family and the contents of his notebook in his mind and heart.

In “Learning the Game,” Francisco juxtaposes a recurring game of kick-the-can with a bully named Carlos with work in a field with Gabriel who is bullied by a contratista. He is not learning a literal game, but he is learning how to be a man in reality–standing up for those who are weaker and mistreated.

“The Circuit” is not only a story about the circuit of arriving and leaving for the work in the fields, but it is a circuit of gained and lost opportunities for Francisco in his education. He dreads the leaving but makes the most of it when he arrives at his new location. However, this particular trip on the circuit is a little heartbreaking for the young boy who had hoped to learn the trumpet.

In “Cotton Sack,” Francisco wants to prove that he is old enough and capable enough to have his own cotton sack. However, his dad tells him no, so when they are trying to find more cotton fields to pick in between the first harvest and la bola, he goes to pick cotton with his father and Roberto in a field one cold day. Thinking this is his chance, he goes before his father and learns that he isn’t ready.

In “Death Forgiven,” the family pet, a parrot, dies from the father trying to make the bird stop shrieking. There seems to be no profound resolution other than the bird died, was buried, and mourned for two weeks until the family moved to find more work, but the title then points that Francisco did find a way to forgive his father for killing his beloved parrot.

“Christmas Gift”/ Francisco learns that they are broke, but he still hopes for a ball. There is such a contrast between what expected for a family to celebrate Christmas, wrap presents, and receive presents and what really happens. There is sadness and tears, which makes Mamá’s present from Papá that much sadder: a handkerchief. Such an ominous foreshadowing of the hardship that they still will have to live through.

“El Angel de Oro” is a goldfish that Francisco watches frequently through his neighbor’s window. In this story, he meets a boy named Miguelito who for a day is his friend until Miguelito’s family leaves without saying goodbye to Francisco. The story then switches focus to the gray fish that are located in the creek behind the house. The goldfish seems to be analogous to Miguelito, and the gray fish are Francisco.

“Miracle in Tent City” is a little longer than the previous short stories, and the story takes place over a year when Torito is sick. Religious beliefs and superstitions are showcased throughout his story. I would like to know more about Doña María’s reason for using raw eggs as a cure for whatever ailed Torito. An article from Santa Maria Times states that his illness was Scarlet Fever.

“Inside Out” has a lot of symbolism and an analogy between Francisco and the caterpillar. It is also interesting to see how teachers thought they should teach English Language Learners during that period.

“Soledad” is a short chapter in the book. “Soledad” can mean solitude or loneliness, and the tone mostly matches the connotation of loneliness. However, the tone isn’t as negative when he tries to teach himself to pick cotton. One cannot help but wonder about him leaving his baby brother alone then, which adds another layer of soledad.