Breaking Through (Edition 001)

I enjoyed reading this book because it took place not too long ago and the boy was around my age. I could not believe that he had to work to help support his family. I thought it was interesting because whatever money I get, my parents let me keep for myself, but everything he had was given to his parents.

I would suggest reading this book because it shows the struggles of people on the other side of my country only a few decades ago. I would have never known what it was like there if I had not read this book.


Stunning Conclusion   February 21, 2002
7 out of 10 found this review helpful

The cliffhanger at the end of the Circuit is resolved in this amazing book. Francisco Jimenez's story of growing up poor and Mexican in the 1950s tells a powerful story. I highly recommend this book for all readers, young and old.


Excellent sequel   August 11, 2001
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

"Breaking Through" is an excellent follow-up for those of us hungering for more after "The Circuit." It follows Francisco Jimenez's life through high school. Francisco Jimenez goes deeper into depth about all that he faced, including his relationships with his parents. He accurately portrays the challenges so many parents and teens, especially Latinos, face in dealing with issues of love, understanding, and personal struggles that affect their relationships.I think teenagers will especially enjoy and connect with this book. It will inspire and motivate many. Teachers, use it in your classrooms - especially middle and high school!


My review of Breaking Through   January 24, 2006
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

My review of Breaking Through

This award-winning book is very interesting and adventure-packed!!! This book is about a family that escapes Mexico illegally. When they get to America, a couple of months pass and the Boarder Patrol find them. I recommend this book because it teaches people about how poor people live or how they kind of live.
This book's theme is courage. It shows courage when Francisco's father was really sick. Or when Francisco had not to be scared about being in the U.S. illegally. Also when Trampita was outside all night. And finally when Roberto's parents had to go back to Mexico. And that is how the book Breaking Through is full of courage.
The characters in this book are Mama, Papa, Roberto, Francisco, and Trampita. Roberto is the first of the children to get married. Francisco gets a job to help out his family. Trampita is Francisco's oldest littlest brother. Mama stays home and cleans there house. The characters, these things that happen in this book actually happened to them.
The setting of this book is in Mexico and the United States. They have to keep switching countries. Francisco has to keep switching and missing schools. Also the land is very dry and humid. And they didn't like sneaking into America.
This book is great for teaching people about love and caring for the whole family. I would recommend this book 5 out of 5 stars. This shows love, compassion, hard times and caring for their whole family. And not to forget about anyone that's in their family. And it teaches other people about how poor people live.






breaking through   January 26, 2006
4 out of 8 found this review helpful

I recommend this novel Breaking Through because it is a good novel. It has excellent word choice. The characters in the novel are believable the setting are believable. The setting is good it is not great because the setting is a little foggy because the people are move a little fast. The novel has a good starting and ending.
This novel is about a family who goes to the United States legally. And how a family is split up along the way. Only two brothers get to go to the United States first they go to live in a barracks. Then they get another house it is a small house then about a year later the rest of the filmily arrive.
There are 4 main charters in the novel Breaking Trough. There are 4 main characters in the novel. The first charter is the mother. The mother soothes the father when he gets angry. The father is mean because he works all day long by then he is cranky and takes aspirin a lot more then he does usually. Then there is roboto. He is the oldest brother of the two brothers the final brother is panchito he is the younger brother.
The settings in this book are in order a barracks, a small house and then a hospital. They live in a barracks then they live in a small house. In the small house roboto and panchito had separated rooms. Until the rest of the family moved in then roboto and panchito moves in and then they share the room together. The mom and dad shared roboto's room.
I would recommend this book to a middle school or high school student. Because there are some very hard Spanish words and other just hard words. Or if you are a very good reader then this book is for you. If you do not like reading about a family's adventures this book is not for you. If you are a REALLY good reader in elementary school this book would be for you. This book is for u if you like to read about a family adventure