Reaching Out

Gr 7 Up—Francisco Jiménez's third book (2008), a Pura Belpré Honor book, is about his life and struggles as an immigrant and the son of a poor migrant Mexican American family. His other autobiographies—The Circuit (1999) and Breaking Through (2001, all Houghton Mifflin), tells the story of his childhood and teenage years. This book focuses on his time at Santa Clara College in California beginning in 1962, and his journey into a new life after leaving his impoverished family. His transition from a family to an academic setting is a tale filled with a lot of heart as he faces many prejudices along the way. The story is also about his family and the struggles they endured as migrant farm workers. Emilio Delgado narrates in a smooth, mature tone that at times becomes monotone. Purchase where the previous two books are part of the collection.—Katie Llera, Sayreville Middle School, NJ