“I lived in constant fear for ten long years, from the time I was four until I was fourteen years old.” In this opening sentence of Breaking Through , Francisco Jiménez summarizes much of the emotional landscape chronicled in his first novel, The Circuit (University of New Mexico Press, 1997). In this new book, Jiménez picks up his story at age 14. No longer on the migrant circuit, Francisco and his family relish the stability of living in one place. This is threatened when the border patrol finds out that Francisco, his older brother, Roberto, and their mother are in the United States illegally. Rather than separate, the whole family returns to Mexico. When they come again to the United States, it is with the paperwork that means they will no longer have to fear discovery. Francisco and Roberto contribute more and more to the economic support of their family, living by the incredible work ethic their father has modeled. They go to school during the day, working evenings and weekends. At school, Francisco shines with the support of some wonderful teachers, counselors, and friends, who help him toward college and his hope of becoming a teacher. At home, years of constant struggle have taken a physical and emotional toll on their father. His dark moods are exacerbated when Francisco begins to act “American,” taking interest in popular music and talking back. Their mother smoothes things over, holding her family together and encouraging her children’s dreams in this inspiring and compelling work of autobiographical fiction. (Age 12 and older)

In this Pura Belpré Honor-winning memoir, sequel to best-selling The Circuit, Francisco Jimenez tells his timely story about immigrant prejudice, keeping hope alive when there is none and his family's journey to achieving their American dream.



At the age of fourteen, Francisco Jiménez, together with his older brother Roberto and his mother, are caught by la migra. Forced to leave their home in California, the entire family travels all night for twenty hours by bus, arriving at the U.S. and Mexican border in Nogales, Arizona.



In the months and years that follow during the late 1950s-early 1960s, Francisco, his mother and father, and his seven brothers and sister not only struggle to keep their family together, but also face crushing poverty, long hours of labor, and blatant prejudice. How they sustain their hope, their good-heartedness, and tenacity is revealed in this moving, Pura Belpré Honor-winning sequel to The Circuit. Without bitterness or sentimentality, Francisco Jiménez finishes telling the story of his youth.