The Circuit

The Circuit -stories from the life of a migrant child by Francisco Jimenez. New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press. 134 pages.
ISBN-13: 978-0-8263-1797-1

Franciso's papa announces that the family is going to make a long trip across la frontera to California from their home in Mexico. California held the promise promise of a life away from poverty. Thus begins Francisco's autobiographical stories about migrating with his family between farms for to find the next harvesting job.

From a simple and authentic child's perspective, Franciso describes crossing the border, arriving at different farms to ask for work, living in tents and sheds, and packing and travelling to different farms. He explains the physical effects of the back-breaking and exhausting work.

Attending school for the first time in California, Franciso is not allowed to speak Spanish and doesn't understand any English. Although his efforts to listen and understand gave him headaches, he enjoyed learning. When his family would need to move during the year, he would be disappointed at missing school. Often, he wouldn't be able to begin school until November, when he was not needed in the fields.

The love among the Jimenez family is apparent throughout the stories, as is their never-ending religious faith. Love and faith seem to sustain the family through their many migrations, living conditions, poverty and difficult work.

The book is simple and authentic, written in vignettes that provide a view of the life of a migrant child and his family. It's a nice book for students 9 to 12 years old.

Read an interview with the author.
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