Reaching Out [Paperback]

Francisco Jimenez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2009

From the perspective of the young adult he was then, Francisco Jiménez describes the challenges he faced in his efforts to continue his education.
During his college years, the very family solidarity that allowed Francisco to survive as a child is tested. Not only must he leave his family behind when he 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 coped 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, true, and inspiring.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 8 Up—Jiménez, the son of Mexican immigrants, left behind a life of hard work and poverty when he entered Santa Clara University in 1962. Here, he chronicles his college years and introduces people who befriended him as well as those who had prejudices against Mexicans. Throughout his story, the difficulties of his transition from family life to college life are evident. His palpable fear of failure was mitigated by those who helped him recognize his worth and develop and strengthen his character. The book ends as he is bound for graduate school at Columbia University. This sequel to Breaking Through (2001) and The Circuit (1999, both Houghton) again brings to the forefront the daily trials of poor immigrant families. The author poignantly relates his family's struggles and how their teamwork enabled him to attend college. While the book relates his trials and successes, it also tells how his family members overcame their own obstacles. Using the style of a good storyteller, Jiménez gives voice to strong familial bonds with an intensity that is both compelling and honest. The family photographs at the end of the book add a nice touch.—Sharon Morrison, Southeastern Oklahoma State University, Durant, OK
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* Papa’s raging depression intensifies young Jiménez’s personal guilt and conflict in the 1960s: “So now you think you’re better than us because you are going to college!” 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, Jiménez finds friends and mentors in class and at church, discovers the great literature in his native Spanish language, and joins César Chávez in the drive to unionize farm workers. Like his other fictionalized autobiographies, The Circuit (1997) and Breaking Through (2001), this sequel tells Jiménez’s personal story in 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 in college, he tells no one that he was born in Mexico and is not an American citizen. Rooted in the past, Jiménez’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. Never melodramatic or self-important, the spare episodes will draw readers with the quiet daily detail of work, anger, sorrow, and hope. Grades 7-12. --Hazel Rochman --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Graphia; Reprint edition (September 7, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547250304
• ISBN-13: 978-0547250304
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #66,690 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #3 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Hispanic & Latino
  • #21 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Hispanic & Latino
  • #75 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > People of Color

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

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Treasure, August 26, 2008

By 

social scientist "university professor" (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reaching Out (Hardcover)

In Reaching Out, Francisco Jimenez traces his life as a Mexican immigrant child from a migrant farm worker family to his experiences as an undergraduate at Santa Clara University. Along the way, he encounters challenges and tensions as a first generation college student. Francisco shares with his readers how he reached out to a place so far removed from his childhood - Santa Clara University - and how others, particularly Jesuits, reached out to him to support him on this journey,

I truly believe that Reaching Out should be read by all students, particularly first year students. Many students will identify with the story and understand that they too can succeed. Those who come from families far removed from Francisco's background will better understand how to reach out to first generation students. In fact, I highly recommend that faculty read this book so that they may also understand how to reach out to students from backgrounds similar to Francisco's. Although Reaching Out deals with the life of a specific individual, it is truly a universal story.

Just like his other two books, The Circuit and Breaking Through, Reaching Out will be a treasure for generations to come.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Story, July 23, 2009

By 

E. Alvarez - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reaching Out (Hardcover)

Francisco Jimenez does a good job on explaining his College life in Santa Clara. I really enjoyed ready this book I felt that every time that I would start reading this book it would engage me and I wanted to keep reading the book. I think that its a good book for a student to read thats going to College. I like how the book shows the struggles that Jimenez has when he was going to College but had important people in his life that helped him not to give up in College. And because of them he proceeded with his education and became a College Professor. I think that before I read this book I would of liked to read the book about his childhood and I think that now I would like to read all the books that he wrote. Because his book shows you that it doesn't matter were you came from that if you are willing to succeed in your life you can go really far in life. Its a really good book and I would recommend it to anyone but mostly for High School and College students!!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful for inspiring students, November 29, 2009

By 

Nicole "Nicole" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Reaching Out (Paperback)

A touching story that can apply to ANYONE at certain points in their life. A great read for students in middle or high school. I bought a class set for my students and they are loving it!