From the perspective of the young adult he once was, Francisco Jimenez describes the challenges he faces when continuing his education. During his college years, the very family solidarity that allows Francisco to survive as a child is tested. Not only must he leave his family when his goes to Santa Clara University, but while Francisco is there, his father abandons the family and returns to Mexico. This is the story of how Francisco copes with poverty, with his guilt over leaving his family financially strapped, with his self-doubt about succeeding academically, and with separation. Once again, his telling is honest and true—and inspiring.
Mas alla de mi Reaching Out Spanish Edition (El Circuito)
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Grade 8 Up–In this touching memoir, the author relates how he and his family illegally immigrated to the United States and were later returned to Mexico. Not giving up, he and his older brother came back again, followed by their family; several years later they were granted legal residence. Through much sacrifice from all members of the family, Jiménez attended university, where he met people who encouraged him to go beyond an undergraduate degree. Despite facing financial, health, and other issues, the author shows what he was able to accomplish with the unity and undivided love of his family. Photographs add warmth to the book by putting faces to the characters for whom readers develop deep appreciation. A testament to a strong faith in God and in JiménezâÇÖs talent, written in a relaxed manner, this is a most uplifting read.–Narda McCarthy, Para Los Niños Consultant, Weston, FL
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Review
"This sequel to The Circuit (1997) and Breaking Through (2001), which covered Mexican-born Jimenez's childhood, takes Francisco through his college years at the University of Santa Clara. After long years working in California fields and living in labor camps, Francisco is the first in his family to attend college, and this volume is a tribute to all first-generation college students and the many people who made a difference in Francisco's own life. As he says to his family at graduation, "We all did it." It's a bettersweet story, though, as Francisco frequently feels guilty at the sacrifices made on his behalf, and even as he heads to Columbia University for graduate studies on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship, he yearns for stability in his life and a place to call home. While the first two volumes felt as though they were collections of autobiographical short stories, this is a more linear and straightforward autobiographical novel, simply and eloquently told. An inspiring account of a remarkable journey." (Hazel Rochman, Booklist, starred review; August 1,2008 )
*"So now you think you're better than us because you are going to college!" Papa's raging depression intensifies young Jimenez's personal guilt and conflict in the 1960s. He is the first in his Mexican American migrant family to attend college in California. While at home, the family struggles with backbreaking work and lives without indoor plumbing; in college, Jimenez finds friends and mentors in class and at church, discovers the great literture in his native Spanish language, and joins Cesar Chavez in the drive to unionize farm workers. Like his landmark books The Circuit (1997) and Breaking Through (2001), this sequel tells his personal story in clear, simple, self-contained chapters that join together in a stirring narrative. As he works many jobs to send something home, he is haunted by memories of his childhood spent laboring in the fields and cleaning offices, and in college, he tells no one that he was bon in Mexico and is not an American citizen. Rooted in the past, Jimenez's story is also about the continuing struggle to make it in America, not only for immigrant kids but also for those in poor families who struggle to break free. Never melodramatic or self-important, the spare episodes will draw readers with the quiet daily detail of work, anger, sorrow, and hope." (Hazel Rochman, Booklist, starred review; August 1,2008 )
*"So now you think you're better than us because you are going to college!" Papa's raging depression intensifies young Jimenez's personal guilt and conflict in the 1960s. He is the first in his Mexican American migrant family to attend college in California. While at home, the family struggles with backbreaking work and lives without indoor plumbing; in college, Jimenez finds friends and mentors in class and at church, discovers the great literture in his native Spanish language, and joins Cesar Chavez in the drive to unionize farm workers. Like his landmark books The Circuit (1997) and Breaking Through (2001), this sequel tells his personal story in clear, simple, self-contained chapters that join together in a stirring narrative. As he works many jobs to send something home, he is haunted by memories of his childhood spent laboring in the fields and cleaning offices, and in college, he tells no one that he was bon in Mexico and is not an American citizen. Rooted in the past, Jimenez's story is also about the continuing struggle to make it in America, not only for immigrant kids but also for those in poor families who struggle to break free. Never melodramatic or self-important, the spare episodes will draw readers with the quiet daily detail of work, anger, sorrow, and hope." (Hazel Rochman, Booklist, starred review; August 1,2008 )
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More About the Author
Francisco Jiménez emigrated from Tlaquepaque, Mexico, to California, where he worked for many years in the fields with his family. He received both his master's degree and his Ph.D. from Columbia University and is now chairman of the Modern Languages and Literature Department at Santa Clara University, the setting of much of Reaching Out. He is the award-winning author of The Circuit, Breaking Through, La Mariposa, and his newest novel, Reaching Out. He lives in Santa Clara, California, with his family
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great 3rd Book,
A Kid's Review
This review is from: Mas alla de mi Reaching Out Spanish Edition (Paperback)
This is the 3rd book in a series about the true life of the author which starts after high school graduation. The first book started out with the author as a young boy. He and his family face incredible challenges in life's struggles through poverty, hunger, weather extremes, finding shelter, education, bullies, immigration, work ethics, and faith in God. After reading the first book, the students in my Spanish class all wanted to continue reading the next 2 books. Francisco Jimenez shares his family's stories about overcoming more than their share of negative situations. His life growing up was blessed because he had a mother who believed in him and encouraged him, but even with that positive influence, his life is a real miracle about overcoming odds stacked against him.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Autobiography Part 2,
By
This review is from: Mas alla de mi Reaching Out Spanish Edition (Paperback)
I have read all three of the professor's books in their Spanish-language versions, and I have read each several times. As someone trying to learn Spanish, I find these books to be most useful. The vocabulary is practical, consisting of everyday words; the style and narrative are direct; the ideas and sentiments comprehensible and familiar. This book is a continuation of an autobiography that begins with the professor's previous book -- Senderos fronterizos. In that book, Professor Jiménez describes his family's illegal entry into the U.S. and the difficult years of poverty in California, where his family labored as agricultural workers. In Senderos, we watch the family struggle to make ends meet. We watch Francisco and his older brother Roberto struggle to put themselves through high school. It's the sort of immigrant story that every American can understand and enjoy. Francisco and his siblings adapt to their new environment (while the father does not), and Francisco wins admission to university. In this second volume of the story, Francisco leaves his family in Santa Maria and goes to college. The reader admires Francisco's love of family and determination to educate himself. I can't believe that he didn't kiss Laura before he put her on the train to San Carlos. Maybe he did and just won't tell us. I suspect that we might see a third installment to this story. If the professor writes it, I will certainly buy and read it.
At the moment, I am rereading Más allá, looking up all the words that I didn't know and let pass on the first reading. As a resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, I derive an added pleasure from reading this book -- that of recognizing many of the places described in the story. A very pleasurable read. Highly recommended for intermediate learners. All right, here it is on page 210: "Me estiré y le di un beso. Oímos el silbido del tren." So Laura gets her kiss, after all. Now I'm happy.
5.0 out of 5 stars
super,
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This review is from: Mas alla de mi Reaching Out Spanish Edition (Paperback)
Great reading and you learn a lot from this book. Buy it!!!!!!!!!!!Service provide was super and the book came in great conditions. Thank you.
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