Breaking Through

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 in California, 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 during the late 1950s-early 1960s, 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 good-heartedness, and tenacity is revealed in this moving, Pura Belpré Honor-winning sequel to The Circuit. Without bitterness or sentimentality, Francisco Jiménez finishes telling the story of his youth.

How does a boy who spends his days in the fields dare to dream of a life in the classroom?
Based on a True Story: Experience the author’s real-life journey as a teenager navigating two cultures and fighting for his future in 1950s California.The Immigrant Experience: A heartfelt and honest look at the challenges of deportation, the struggle to keep a family together, and the reality of facing poverty and prejudice.The Importance of Education: Follow Francisco’s unwavering determination to get an education, even when it means missing months of school to work in the fields alongside his family.A Story of Perseverance: Discover a tale of hope and tenacity, showing how one family sustained their spirit without bitterness in the face of incredible hardship.