Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez (Houghton Mifflin, 2001)

GENRE: Memoir - Latino

HONORS:Booklist Editors’ Choice
An American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults
American Library Association’s Pura Bupré Authors Honor Book Award (among many others!)

REVIEW:Breaking Through is the sequel to The Circuit , Jimenez's memoir about migrating as a child to the U.S. from Mexico. This story continues his experiences as a student who lived during a time of racial ignorance. Jimenez poetically writes about his experiences going to school in the day time, then working at night in the fields and later as a janitor to help support his family. He struggled to learn English and was often inclined to down play his heritage because of his yearning to have a 'normal' adolescence. However, his self-conscious father and deep loyalty to provide for his family did not faze his destiny to succeed.

OPINION: This memoir is a gripping tale and harsh reality of the struggles in the lives of migrants. Francisco Jimenez was able to rise above all the cultural barriers set before him, especially at a time of racial segregation and intolerance. This is a courageous tale that is rich in history, as well as Mexican culture.

IDEAS: Notable to incorporate in curriculum about immigration, California history, or documenting one's own family history.

Buried Onions by Gary Soto (Gale, 2003)

GENRE: Fiction - Latino

HONORS: none

REVIEW: Buried Onions contains a lot of truth about the pressures, poverty, and racial oppression that Latinos and other ethnic groups face on a daily basis. Eddie is a 19-year old who resides in Fresno, California. He has lost a father and every male figure in his family, so he has to make ends meet by performing odd jobs like painting address numbers on curbs in the suburbs. His ultimate goal is to make his way outside of the Fresno ghetto and away from all the crime and violence. Unfortunately, violence still happens to find him when, Angel, a ruthless cholo is on his tail to get revenge. Eddie is still determined not to retreat to the violent streets, so with the help of his best friend and old coach, he is able to find a way out.

OPINION: The themes portrayed in this book highlight the very grim reality of individuals that live in repressed areas. Even though Eddie has the best intentions, he has to overcome the uncontrollable struggles and hardships put before him. Soto is successful at portraying a realistic perspective of young, first and second generation youth.

IDEAS: It is a great book to display and have for a booktalk in a library with a heavily diverse, urban population.