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The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child
These independent but intertwined stories follow a migrant family through their circuit, from picking cotton and strawberries to topping carrots - and back again - over a number of years. As it moves from one labor camp to the next, the little family of four grows into ten. Impermanence and poverty define their lives. But with faith, hope, and back-breaking work, the family endures.
134 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 1996
592 people are currently reading
4762 people want to read
About the author
Francisco Jiménez
80 books216 followersFrancisco Jimenez 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 memoir, Reaching Out. He lives in Santa Clara, California, with his family.
Author photo courtesy of Santa Clara University.
Author photo courtesy of Santa Clara University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 953 reviews
August 14, 2020
الدّائرة
The CIRCUIT
ت: أ. د. فرانسيسكو جيمنز
ترجمة: أ. د. صالحة سنقر
منشورات اتحاد الكتّاب العرب/ دمشق
عبارة عن سيرة ذاتيّة للمؤلّف..
جميلة ولطيفة ورشيقة..
وجدت فيها صدى لقوله عليه الصّلاة والسّلام: " فمن رضي فله الرّضى، ومن سخط فله السّخط"
رغم صعوبة عيش الكاتب في مراحل حياته الأولى.. وهجرته مع عائلته من بلاده – المكسيك – هروباً من حياة الفقر والقلّة، ليأتي إلى أمريكا فيكابد مشقة حياة من نوع جديد مختلف..
ومع ذلك لم ألمح أي نوع من تذمّر أو سخط..
فقر.. وتنقّل مستمر.. ومعاناة..
ومع ذلك تصلك هدوء نفسه ورضاها عبر السّطور..
وهذا الرّزق وأنعم به من رزق..
أن يهبك الله تعالى رضى بحياتك.. وصبراً جميلاً عليها.. وحبّ للمثابرة والمتابعة رغم كلّ المشقّات والعقبات..
كنت معه في أوّل يوم في المدرسة عندما كان في الصفّ الأوّل.. وسرح بي خيالي – بعد ما كتب عن معاناته مع اللّغة الجديدة – وقلت في نفسي لا شكّ أنّه سينقطع عن الدّراسة ولن يتابع.. ولكنّه لم يفعل..
أصبح شغوفاً بالعلم والمدرسة أكثر فأكثر.. ولم يذكر لا من قريب ولا من بعيد بغضه للمدرسة وعدم رغبته بالذّهاب رغم بعض المعاناة.. فقد كانت من أولوياته..
شكرت والدها على اهتمامهما بهذه العائلة الصّغيرة وعلى الجو الهادئ المريح الذي كان يشعّ عبر السّطور..
لأجزم أنّ الأسباب الماديّة ليست هي – وحدها – التي تؤمّن هذا السّكن والدّفء العائلي..
فالسّر في الغنى النّفسي والتّصالح مع الذات، ووضع تلك العائلة وسعادتها وهناءة العيش فيها من أولى الأوليات والقرارات..
فيخرج منها أشخاص أسوياء..
تذكرت ابن أخي الصّغير.. كان يشاهد أفلام الكرتون فمرّ لفظ عائلة فأحببت أن أختبر – كعادتي – مدى فهمه للعربيّة الفصحى.. فسألته: ما معنى كلمة عائلة؟ أجاب: لا أعرف.. ثم فكّر برهة ونظر إلى صورة على الحائط تجمعه هو وأخواته مع أمهم وأبيهم.. فأشار إليها وقال لي: يمكن هي!!
أشدت يومها بذكائه وفهمه..
وقلت في نفسي: إذاً فالعائلة شعور يفهمه الشّخص ويسري في كيانه وروحه ليعطيه زخماً معنويّاً وغنى عاطفيّاً..
وهذا ما وجدته في هذه السّيرة الذاتية الصّغيرة..
حزنت معه عندما ضاع دفتر يوميّاته.. وشعرت بشعور الفقد الذي أصابه.. وتذكّرت كيف ضاع منّي – قبل يومين – دفتراً مشابهاً له في قيمته عندي.. فلما ضاق بي الأمر ولم أجده بشتّى الطّرق.. اتصلت بأولاد أخي، لتجيبني إحداهما: هو فوق الخزانة.. قلت في نفسي: وماذا يفعل فوق الخزانة؟!! الحمد لله أنّي سألتها عنه، وإلّا لما كان بمقدور حتّى الجنّي الأزرق أن يجده لي..
ولكن الحمد لله أنّه كان فوق الخزانة ولم يُحرَق كما حصل بدفتر صاحبنا المؤلّف..
تمنّيت لو أضرب أخته الصّغيرة التي أخذت قطعتي النّقود اللتين كان يعتبرهما أغلى كنوزه لتشتري بها علكة سترميها بعد قليل!!
تخيلت شعوره وهو يدخل لبيت لأوّل مرّة.. وهو الذي أمضى حياته متنقّلاً بين الخيم والمستودعات..
ومع كلّ ذلك لم ألحظ أيّ أسى في حديثه..
سعدت بمشواره العلمي، وكيف كان لمعلّميه دور كبير إيجابي في تشجيعه وتطوّر مستواه العلمي..
فالتعليم مسؤوليّة..
ويجب على المعلّم إن لم يستطع أن يرفع من أمامه، أن لا يكون سبباً لتدميرهم أو قتل مواهبهم وشغفهم للعلم..
أحببت أمّه وأباه..
ورغم أنّ أمّه لم تتوقّف – رغم كل الظروف الصّعبة – عن إنجاب الأطفال.. ولكن مع ذلك كانت على قدر كبير من المسؤوليّة والرعاية لزوجها وأولادها؛ لذلك لم أعلن عليها نقمتي وغضبي (أنا عدوّة المرأة) ههههههه..
يعني نفدت منّي هذه المرّة بأعجوبة..
سيرة ذاتيّة لطيفة وخفيفة ولكن لم أعرف لماذا لم يكملها..
فقد أثار فضولي لأعرف كيف تابع مشواره العلمي.. وماذا حصل معه بعد دخول هيئة ملاحقة اللاجئين..
أعتقد أنّ للكتاب جزءً آخر.. سأسأل عنه السّيد أبو عبادة الذي أعارني هذا الكتاب مشكوراً، لا بل أصرّ عليّ أن آخذه وأقرأه..
اللهمّ اكتب لنا من الأقدار أجملها..
وارزقنا نعمة الامتنان والرّضى..
واختر لنا ما فيه خيرنا ورضاك..
وفاء
ذي الحجّة 1441
آب 2020
The CIRCUIT
ت: أ. د. فرانسيسكو جيمنز
ترجمة: أ. د. صالحة سنقر
منشورات اتحاد الكتّاب العرب/ دمشق
عبارة عن سيرة ذاتيّة للمؤلّف..
جميلة ولطيفة ورشيقة..
وجدت فيها صدى لقوله عليه الصّلاة والسّلام: " فمن رضي فله الرّضى، ومن سخط فله السّخط"
رغم صعوبة عيش الكاتب في مراحل حياته الأولى.. وهجرته مع عائلته من بلاده – المكسيك – هروباً من حياة الفقر والقلّة، ليأتي إلى أمريكا فيكابد مشقة حياة من نوع جديد مختلف..
ومع ذلك لم ألمح أي نوع من تذمّر أو سخط..
فقر.. وتنقّل مستمر.. ومعاناة..
ومع ذلك تصلك هدوء نفسه ورضاها عبر السّطور..
وهذا الرّزق وأنعم به من رزق..
أن يهبك الله تعالى رضى بحياتك.. وصبراً جميلاً عليها.. وحبّ للمثابرة والمتابعة رغم كلّ المشقّات والعقبات..
كنت معه في أوّل يوم في المدرسة عندما كان في الصفّ الأوّل.. وسرح بي خيالي – بعد ما كتب عن معاناته مع اللّغة الجديدة – وقلت في نفسي لا شكّ أنّه سينقطع عن الدّراسة ولن يتابع.. ولكنّه لم يفعل..
أصبح شغوفاً بالعلم والمدرسة أكثر فأكثر.. ولم يذكر لا من قريب ولا من بعيد بغضه للمدرسة وعدم رغبته بالذّهاب رغم بعض المعاناة.. فقد كانت من أولوياته..
شكرت والدها على اهتمامهما بهذه العائلة الصّغيرة وعلى الجو الهادئ المريح الذي كان يشعّ عبر السّطور..
لأجزم أنّ الأسباب الماديّة ليست هي – وحدها – التي تؤمّن هذا السّكن والدّفء العائلي..
فالسّر في الغنى النّفسي والتّصالح مع الذات، ووضع تلك العائلة وسعادتها وهناءة العيش فيها من أولى الأوليات والقرارات..
فيخرج منها أشخاص أسوياء..
تذكرت ابن أخي الصّغير.. كان يشاهد أفلام الكرتون فمرّ لفظ عائلة فأحببت أن أختبر – كعادتي – مدى فهمه للعربيّة الفصحى.. فسألته: ما معنى كلمة عائلة؟ أجاب: لا أعرف.. ثم فكّر برهة ونظر إلى صورة على الحائط تجمعه هو وأخواته مع أمهم وأبيهم.. فأشار إليها وقال لي: يمكن هي!!
أشدت يومها بذكائه وفهمه..
وقلت في نفسي: إذاً فالعائلة شعور يفهمه الشّخص ويسري في كيانه وروحه ليعطيه زخماً معنويّاً وغنى عاطفيّاً..
وهذا ما وجدته في هذه السّيرة الذاتية الصّغيرة..
حزنت معه عندما ضاع دفتر يوميّاته.. وشعرت بشعور الفقد الذي أصابه.. وتذكّرت كيف ضاع منّي – قبل يومين – دفتراً مشابهاً له في قيمته عندي.. فلما ضاق بي الأمر ولم أجده بشتّى الطّرق.. اتصلت بأولاد أخي، لتجيبني إحداهما: هو فوق الخزانة.. قلت في نفسي: وماذا يفعل فوق الخزانة؟!! الحمد لله أنّي سألتها عنه، وإلّا لما كان بمقدور حتّى الجنّي الأزرق أن يجده لي..
ولكن الحمد لله أنّه كان فوق الخزانة ولم يُحرَق كما حصل بدفتر صاحبنا المؤلّف..
تمنّيت لو أضرب أخته الصّغيرة التي أخذت قطعتي النّقود اللتين كان يعتبرهما أغلى كنوزه لتشتري بها علكة سترميها بعد قليل!!
تخيلت شعوره وهو يدخل لبيت لأوّل مرّة.. وهو الذي أمضى حياته متنقّلاً بين الخيم والمستودعات..
ومع كلّ ذلك لم ألحظ أيّ أسى في حديثه..
سعدت بمشواره العلمي، وكيف كان لمعلّميه دور كبير إيجابي في تشجيعه وتطوّر مستواه العلمي..
فالتعليم مسؤوليّة..
ويجب على المعلّم إن لم يستطع أن يرفع من أمامه، أن لا يكون سبباً لتدميرهم أو قتل مواهبهم وشغفهم للعلم..
أحببت أمّه وأباه..
ورغم أنّ أمّه لم تتوقّف – رغم كل الظروف الصّعبة – عن إنجاب الأطفال.. ولكن مع ذلك كانت على قدر كبير من المسؤوليّة والرعاية لزوجها وأولادها؛ لذلك لم أعلن عليها نقمتي وغضبي (أنا عدوّة المرأة) ههههههه..
يعني نفدت منّي هذه المرّة بأعجوبة..
سيرة ذاتيّة لطيفة وخفيفة ولكن لم أعرف لماذا لم يكملها..
فقد أثار فضولي لأعرف كيف تابع مشواره العلمي.. وماذا حصل معه بعد دخول هيئة ملاحقة اللاجئين..
أعتقد أنّ للكتاب جزءً آخر.. سأسأل عنه السّيد أبو عبادة الذي أعارني هذا الكتاب مشكوراً، لا بل أصرّ عليّ أن آخذه وأقرأه..
اللهمّ اكتب لنا من الأقدار أجملها..
وارزقنا نعمة الامتنان والرّضى..
واختر لنا ما فيه خيرنا ورضاك..
وفاء
ذي الحجّة 1441
آب 2020
Read
May 19, 2025I had to read Cajas de Cartón for my Spanish class. It is the first full length novel I’ve read in Spanish and it will most likely be the only one I ever read since this is my last term taking Spanish. Since it’s my first time reading a book in Spanish, I’m choosing not to rate this one.
Cajas de Cartón is repetitive at times, but it does a great job at writing about the undocumented immigrant experience in such a way that both kids and adults will take a lot out of the story. It deals with the highs and the major lows of what being an immigrant in America is like. I found the family in this book to be very endearing and I cared deeply about what happened to them, which made the story really emotional for me and it made the book have a huge impact on me.
Cajas de Cartón is repetitive at times, but it does a great job at writing about the undocumented immigrant experience in such a way that both kids and adults will take a lot out of the story. It deals with the highs and the major lows of what being an immigrant in America is like. I found the family in this book to be very endearing and I cared deeply about what happened to them, which made the story really emotional for me and it made the book have a huge impact on me.
December 5, 2008
Samira lopes
I just finished reading The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez. it’s a fiction book of a young boy named Francisco and his family. The theme of this book is “ sometimes it takes the things that you never expected to get what you want”.
This book is about a seven year old boy named Francisco and his family. Francisco’s Mexican family consists of him, his older brother Roberto, his mother, and father. His family is from El Rancho Blanco and doesn’t have a wealthy life so they immigrate to the united states. They don’t consider it crossing the border they call it la Frontera. They immigrate to the United States to find a better life. Before they could start a better life in the U.S.A they had to work very hard. But it took a while and struggle to brush off who they really were in El Rancho Blanco and start all over in the United Stated.
This book is interesting and very memorable. Immigration is something that goes on everyday and is usually always on the news and for me to read and see how it really is done had me biting my nails. It also made me see that not everyone’s life is easy. My favorite memorable moment was on chapter one when he was describing how they crossed the border. I was nervous myself if anything was going to go wrong. The book was very descriptive, it went right to the point, and if their was any confusion about anything it ended up explaining it in at some point. This affected me a lot because my friends and I sometimes make jokes about immigration and now I have changed my mind. I have realized it happens to people all around us and making a joke out of it isn’t going to make it any better.
I would recommend this book to anyone that speaks or understands Spanish because its easier for them to understand the Spanish parts in the book and to see some of the struggles their ancestors went through. If you liked Belle Teal by Ann M. Martin. Both of these books deal with family struggle and struggling for a better life.
In conclusion I enjoyed reading The circuit and I hope to relate my opinion with someone who has also read this book. it’s an unbelievable book and I enjoyed every part of it. If your family doesn’t have to go through struggles just know theirs others out there that deal with it everyday of their life.
I just finished reading The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez. it’s a fiction book of a young boy named Francisco and his family. The theme of this book is “ sometimes it takes the things that you never expected to get what you want”.
This book is about a seven year old boy named Francisco and his family. Francisco’s Mexican family consists of him, his older brother Roberto, his mother, and father. His family is from El Rancho Blanco and doesn’t have a wealthy life so they immigrate to the united states. They don’t consider it crossing the border they call it la Frontera. They immigrate to the United States to find a better life. Before they could start a better life in the U.S.A they had to work very hard. But it took a while and struggle to brush off who they really were in El Rancho Blanco and start all over in the United Stated.
This book is interesting and very memorable. Immigration is something that goes on everyday and is usually always on the news and for me to read and see how it really is done had me biting my nails. It also made me see that not everyone’s life is easy. My favorite memorable moment was on chapter one when he was describing how they crossed the border. I was nervous myself if anything was going to go wrong. The book was very descriptive, it went right to the point, and if their was any confusion about anything it ended up explaining it in at some point. This affected me a lot because my friends and I sometimes make jokes about immigration and now I have changed my mind. I have realized it happens to people all around us and making a joke out of it isn’t going to make it any better.
I would recommend this book to anyone that speaks or understands Spanish because its easier for them to understand the Spanish parts in the book and to see some of the struggles their ancestors went through. If you liked Belle Teal by Ann M. Martin. Both of these books deal with family struggle and struggling for a better life.
In conclusion I enjoyed reading The circuit and I hope to relate my opinion with someone who has also read this book. it’s an unbelievable book and I enjoyed every part of it. If your family doesn’t have to go through struggles just know theirs others out there that deal with it everyday of their life.
February 11, 2018
برای من که هر داستانی که مربوط به کودک کارگر و مهاجر باشه جذابه این کتاب میتونست فوقالعاده باشه چون گویندهی داستانها یک بچهی مکزیکیه که با خانوادهش غیرقانونی از مرز رد شده و تو آمریکا کارگر فصلیه و مدرسهی نصفه و نیمهای میره تا بتونه کار کنه. کتاب در واقع زندگینامهی خود نویسنده است و راستش به نظر من داستانهاش کمی تا قسمتی کلیشهای و آمریکایی شده بود و نتونست من رو خیلی جذب کنه اما در برهوت داستان کودک و نوجوان در مورد کودکان کارگر و مهاجر در ایران کتاب خوبیه که به بچهها هدیه بدیم و به نظرم بچههای افغانستانی/کارگر ممکنه با بعضی از داستان هاش ارتباط برقرار کنن.
October 23, 2021
Full of pathos and moments of joy. Chekov would have approved. I remember watching a documentary about the condition of migrant worker families in the United States that traumatized me as a young boy. I couldn’t believe how difficult their lives were. I think I was about ten years old. I learned a lesson about empathy, a virtue that seems to be lacking in America these days.
September 21, 2017
I've never read anything that was as close to my own family's immigrant experience as this. My father wasn't a migrant farmer, but the work ethic of Panchito's parents is so similar to my dad's. And Panchito's experience going to school and learning English so mirrored my experience that it was almost uncanny. So many things about this book reminded me of being seven and new in this country.
June 21, 2016
This slim volume packs an extraordinary emotional punch. The stories Jimenez relates are autobiographical, depicting the life he and his family led as migrant workers in 1940s California. Told from the perspective of the second son in a strong, loving family, the stories carry the reader through about eight years of working “the circuit.”
What I particularly like about the book is that while Jimenez doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of this life, he doesn’t dwell on the negatives, either. Yes, we suffer with the family when they cannot afford medical care for a seriously ill child, the father is injured on the job, or people take advantage of their circumstances. But what is more memorable to me is the enjoyment in reading about the pleasure of exploring a new setting, of inventing games to play, of laughing with your friends or family, of learning new skills, of achieving goals. I think it is an accurate depiction of how children see the world and their place in it. Jimenez was wise to choose this voice for his stories. I could not help but think of my father, or of cousins who “picked cherries every summer.” I cried, I laughed; I loved this family.
The ending is a kick to the stomach and I sat stunned for a few moments … looking at the last two blank pages and the back cover in disbelief that the book had ended. I know there is a sequel and I will definitely read it.
What I particularly like about the book is that while Jimenez doesn’t sugarcoat the difficulties of this life, he doesn’t dwell on the negatives, either. Yes, we suffer with the family when they cannot afford medical care for a seriously ill child, the father is injured on the job, or people take advantage of their circumstances. But what is more memorable to me is the enjoyment in reading about the pleasure of exploring a new setting, of inventing games to play, of laughing with your friends or family, of learning new skills, of achieving goals. I think it is an accurate depiction of how children see the world and their place in it. Jimenez was wise to choose this voice for his stories. I could not help but think of my father, or of cousins who “picked cherries every summer.” I cried, I laughed; I loved this family.
The ending is a kick to the stomach and I sat stunned for a few moments … looking at the last two blank pages and the back cover in disbelief that the book had ended. I know there is a sequel and I will definitely read it.
October 23, 2013
The Circuit
The Circuit has stories from the life of an immigrant child. It is an autobiographical novel by Francisco Jimenez based in part on his journey from Mexico to the United States of America.
The book is narrated from the child’s point of view and follows the life of young Panchito and his family as they move from one location to another to harvest crops in the United States. This book give me a lot of new words in English. I think the people should be read this book , because the story is very interesting that is really life in 1940.
The Circuit has stories from the life of an immigrant child. It is an autobiographical novel by Francisco Jimenez based in part on his journey from Mexico to the United States of America.
The book is narrated from the child’s point of view and follows the life of young Panchito and his family as they move from one location to another to harvest crops in the United States. This book give me a lot of new words in English. I think the people should be read this book , because the story is very interesting that is really life in 1940.
April 12, 2025
This collection of autobiographical short stories was so good that I feel incapable of writing an adequate review. Each story was excellent in every way. Two of the stories especially had an impact on me.
I do not recommend books very often because I know that everyone has unique likes and dislikes, but I can't help but believe that everyone would at least appreciate this collection of heartfelt stories. All of them seem to be especially written to reach people of all ages and backgrounds.
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June 7, 2024: My second reading of this, in Spanish again. As good as ever.
November 9, 2024: Third "reading". Audiobook this time.
April 11, 2025: Fourth reading.
I do not recommend books very often because I know that everyone has unique likes and dislikes, but I can't help but believe that everyone would at least appreciate this collection of heartfelt stories. All of them seem to be especially written to reach people of all ages and backgrounds.
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June 7, 2024: My second reading of this, in Spanish again. As good as ever.
November 9, 2024: Third "reading". Audiobook this time.
April 11, 2025: Fourth reading.
August 28, 2011
This book is an autobiography of a child of migrant farm workers. Francisco Jimenez crosses the border with his family and does his best to adapt as they move from labor camp to labor camp. It traces his time both at school and at home, and ends with a powerful scene in which he is studying the Declaration and Independence when “la migra” comes to his school to pick up him and his older brother, who has finally gotten a job working there as a janitor.
This book would be great for any young adult’s who’s parents or grandparents lived the life of an immigrant, moving from farm to farm in order to make a living. Young adults will learn to appreciate their parents and older adults who had to live the tough life of a migrant worker. The family unit described in the book, is close knit since their life experiences of travel and struggle, create strong bonds. Francisco Jimenez describes many role models in is writings, including the teachers that inspired him as he went to school. This book has themes of migrant workers and family that remind me of the Farmworker’s Daughter: Growing up Mexican American by Rose Castillo Guilbalt. Both of these books would be a great display for Hispanic Heritage Month in September.
This book would be great for any young adult’s who’s parents or grandparents lived the life of an immigrant, moving from farm to farm in order to make a living. Young adults will learn to appreciate their parents and older adults who had to live the tough life of a migrant worker. The family unit described in the book, is close knit since their life experiences of travel and struggle, create strong bonds. Francisco Jimenez describes many role models in is writings, including the teachers that inspired him as he went to school. This book has themes of migrant workers and family that remind me of the Farmworker’s Daughter: Growing up Mexican American by Rose Castillo Guilbalt. Both of these books would be a great display for Hispanic Heritage Month in September.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 17, 2009
I loved this book so much it made me return to Goodreads after a long absence just because I wanted to tell people about it. I don't want to raise expectations too much because maybe not everyone would love it, but I do. It's an autobiographical novel written by Francisco Jimenez who is currently a professor at Santa Clara University but who was born in Mexico and came to California with his family as migrant farm laborers. It is poignant, moving, and eye-opening without being depressing. It affirms the redemptive power of family love and of education and hard-work. It is short and quick to read but ends in a way that will send you immediately back to the library or to amazon.com for the equally great sequel, "Breaking Through" (so just get them both to start out with). I'm heading to the library this afternoon to get the third book, "Reaching Out." I can't wait to get it.
July 22, 2018
Sometimes, on the weekend, I take about 8 books off my shelves that I have never even dipped into at all, sit down with a cup of tea and a blanket, and read the first 15-20 pages of each book. The result: I usually end up with a priority-ordered stack of what I most want to continue reading right now and work my way through the top of that stack until I hit reader's block again for whatever reason. (It's hitting me a lot this year.) This weekend's stack had an unlikely winner: The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child. I read 21 pages in the initial sit-down so that I would be able to finish the third story "Inside Out." I ended up crying because it was so touching. Then I read it out loud to my boyfriend later the same day and cried again. And now we're going to go watch the Mr. Rogers documentary, so I should maybe just carry a box of tissues around this whole weekend because that's the kind of weekend this is turning out to be.
These stories are semi-autobiographical and told in order, starting with the story of crossing the border from Mexico when Francisco was very young and then continuing with stories of migrant labor camps, long hot months in the fields, family dramas, and challenges at various schools as the family moved around, chasing opportunities to work enough to keep the family fed and sheltered. Francisco's parents were fleeing poverty when they crossed into the states, and although these stories make it clear that their life in California was never secure, they did succeed in offering their children a better chance. Francisco Jimenez, once full of dread of having to speak out loud in his English classes, is now a professor in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department at Santa Clara University.
I've just discovered that Jimenez produced four more volumes after this one, continuing this memoir series. I'll be reading them all. Highly recommended for anyone wanting firsthand accounts of the migrant experience.
These stories are semi-autobiographical and told in order, starting with the story of crossing the border from Mexico when Francisco was very young and then continuing with stories of migrant labor camps, long hot months in the fields, family dramas, and challenges at various schools as the family moved around, chasing opportunities to work enough to keep the family fed and sheltered. Francisco's parents were fleeing poverty when they crossed into the states, and although these stories make it clear that their life in California was never secure, they did succeed in offering their children a better chance. Francisco Jimenez, once full of dread of having to speak out loud in his English classes, is now a professor in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department at Santa Clara University.
I've just discovered that Jimenez produced four more volumes after this one, continuing this memoir series. I'll be reading them all. Highly recommended for anyone wanting firsthand accounts of the migrant experience.
December 23, 2020
No estoy acostumbrada a leer ni escribir en Español, pero este libro igual se me hizo fácil (porque el español es mi primera lengua). Este libro se trata de historias de la juventud de Francisco Jiménez. Francisco Jiménez es el hijo de immigrantes Mexícanos. Su familia cruzo la frontera cuando él era muy joven. Antes de cruzar la frontera, él escuchaba a su familia hablar del Norte. Como muchos inmigrantes, su familia cruzo al Norte para encontrar una vida mejor. Por mucha de su juventud, después de cruzar la frontera, su familia se mudaba de ciudad a ciudad en California. En Cajas de Cartón , Jiménez escribe de cómo esto afecto su juventud.
Me intereso mucho este libro. Siempre es interesante aprender de las vidas de otras personas. Y obvio, me intereso mucho la historia de Jiménez porque yo también soy hija de inmigrantes Mexicanos. Y aunque no fuera, es importante leer historias de otras personas.
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I’m not used to reading or writing in Spanish, but this book was still fairly easy (cus it is my first language). This book is about Francisco Jiménez’s childhood and young adulthood. He was the child of Mexican immigrants. His family crossed the border when he was very young. Before crossing the border, he often heard his family talking about the Unites States. Like many immigrants, Jiménez’s family crossed the border in hoped to find a better life. For much of his childhood, after crossing the border, his family moved from city to city in California. In Cajas de Cartón , Jiménez described how this affected him.
This book interested me a lot. It is always interesting to learn about other people’s lives. Obviously, it also interested me a lot because I am a child of Mexican immigrants. And even if I wasn’t, it is still important to read about other people’s stories.
Me intereso mucho este libro. Siempre es interesante aprender de las vidas de otras personas. Y obvio, me intereso mucho la historia de Jiménez porque yo también soy hija de inmigrantes Mexicanos. Y aunque no fuera, es importante leer historias de otras personas.
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I’m not used to reading or writing in Spanish, but this book was still fairly easy (cus it is my first language). This book is about Francisco Jiménez’s childhood and young adulthood. He was the child of Mexican immigrants. His family crossed the border when he was very young. Before crossing the border, he often heard his family talking about the Unites States. Like many immigrants, Jiménez’s family crossed the border in hoped to find a better life. For much of his childhood, after crossing the border, his family moved from city to city in California. In Cajas de Cartón , Jiménez described how this affected him.
This book interested me a lot. It is always interesting to learn about other people’s lives. Obviously, it also interested me a lot because I am a child of Mexican immigrants. And even if I wasn’t, it is still important to read about other people’s stories.
February 10, 2016
All in all, it was okay, but the ending was depressing.
November 6, 2023
Empezaré diciendo que creo que no fue el momento idóneo para este libro en particular. Las primeras 70 páginas las leí con mucho interés pero gradualmente éste fue bajando hasta simplemente querer acabarlo.
¿Es bueno? Si, creo que es una bella lectura para hacer al menos una vez en la vida. Está lleno de mensajes como resilencia y familia que nos enriquece como personas. Además nos retrata la vida de una persona en particular y las dificultades que enfrentó para conseguir sus metas.
Algo que debería aclarar es que este libro si es autobiográfico pero no es en formato continuo per se. Son diferentes micro relatos, o recuerdos, que están hilados por el proceso migratorio y de adaptación del autor. Algunos son más interesantes que otros.
¿Te lo recomendaría? Pues si y más si buscas, o te interesa, leer sobre casos de migración.
¿Es bueno? Si, creo que es una bella lectura para hacer al menos una vez en la vida. Está lleno de mensajes como resilencia y familia que nos enriquece como personas. Además nos retrata la vida de una persona en particular y las dificultades que enfrentó para conseguir sus metas.
Algo que debería aclarar es que este libro si es autobiográfico pero no es en formato continuo per se. Son diferentes micro relatos, o recuerdos, que están hilados por el proceso migratorio y de adaptación del autor. Algunos son más interesantes que otros.
¿Te lo recomendaría? Pues si y más si buscas, o te interesa, leer sobre casos de migración.
December 10, 2020
This is definitely one of my favorite books. It's the second time I've read it for school (the first school we didn't get to finish it but the second school we did and it was WONDERFUL). All the chapters are like different stories, each meaningful and filled with love and hardships. I can't wait to read it again.
February 20, 2019
it was a good book
August 24, 2017
This is a lovely collection of bitter sweet stories about the experiences of a family of Mexican Migrant workers in California.
August 28, 2024
Very short memoir of a child's experience as a migrant worker. He was actually a worker. He would not begin school until November because he had to pick whatever crop was in season. What a hard life he was born into. Book number 2 is on my list.
January 2, 2025
My students are gonna be PISSED at the last chapter- I cannot wait to read this with them just to get to that moment.
October 15, 2021
Oh, so good. It's a semi-autobiographical collection of short stories in chronological order of a migrant child's experience in the California harvest circuit. I remembered reading the short story, The Circuit ages ago from some Literature anthology and its ending lingered in my memory. When I found two copies of this short story collection in my own high school library, I thought I'd read it before I weed it, as it's not been checked out in the past 15 years.. It was easy to fall into, and I was taken back in time and to a place I remember from childhood.
Reading this, I could not help but tear up at some point in every≥ story, usually the poignant endings. What touching and heartbreaking vignettes, so well crafted, my heart putty in Francisco's hands. Loved, loved, loved. Consider as examples for personal narrative, a supplement to your Esperanza Rising, The Grapes of Wrath or The Four Winds unit, or pair the last story with a close read of the beginning of the Declaration of Independence. I want to share this so badly with someone that I'm going to read it again aloud to my husband.
I'm eager to read the sequels, and this is a perfect example of why circulation statistics shouldn't always determine weeding decisions. This book will not age, and if our kids, teens, and tweens aren't checking it out now, it does not mean that it won't be the perfect treasure for someone to stumble upon in the library in the future; funny, this story is as relevant right now as it was in '97, right here in New York as much as it is in California, and I can't be sure that life has changed much or at all for Mexicans seeking a life and a living in a safer country since the early 1940's. There's no reason not to pick this up right now, anyone, and I don't think you'd regret it.
P.S. For anyone who needs an advisory for animal suffering, I recommend skipping "Death Forgiven." It was a powerful story but not worth the trauma it caused me. Every other story is gold.
Reading this, I could not help but tear up at some point in every≥ story, usually the poignant endings. What touching and heartbreaking vignettes, so well crafted, my heart putty in Francisco's hands. Loved, loved, loved. Consider as examples for personal narrative, a supplement to your Esperanza Rising, The Grapes of Wrath or The Four Winds unit, or pair the last story with a close read of the beginning of the Declaration of Independence. I want to share this so badly with someone that I'm going to read it again aloud to my husband.
I'm eager to read the sequels, and this is a perfect example of why circulation statistics shouldn't always determine weeding decisions. This book will not age, and if our kids, teens, and tweens aren't checking it out now, it does not mean that it won't be the perfect treasure for someone to stumble upon in the library in the future; funny, this story is as relevant right now as it was in '97, right here in New York as much as it is in California, and I can't be sure that life has changed much or at all for Mexicans seeking a life and a living in a safer country since the early 1940's. There's no reason not to pick this up right now, anyone, and I don't think you'd regret it.
P.S. For anyone who needs an advisory for animal suffering, I recommend skipping "Death Forgiven." It was a powerful story but not worth the trauma it caused me. Every other story is gold.
July 31, 2013
After being hounded by a few students to read this book, I have finally taken it upon myself to do so.
I understand fully why so many of my ESL/ELL students made the recommendation. First, Jimenez speaks to the reality of going to school as a non-native language speaker. The fear, the frustration, the sense of incompetence. While Francisco was from Mexico, his story spoke to my students from all over the world.
Further, his dance with poverty and endless cycle of looking for work and safe shelter resonates with many of my refugee students. This story is not unique to pre-Chavez migrant farm workers. This story is all around us today. It is the story of the migrant family living in their car, parked in the underground parking lot at your local grocer.
It is the story of the mother who is making minimum wage at the fast food store in town. She must find a way to feed her five children with her "living wage".
In the end, as I read this story that takes place in the late 40's and early 50's of rural California, I recognized my own backyard in each chapter. I think this is what captivated my students and motivated them to encourage me to read the story.
I only wish that we were all as resilient as Jimenez. His is the story of a little boy who had something built within, a something that kept him from giving into the relentless poverty and discrimination. I dare say that this "something" is a rare gem. Far too often the child who grows up in these conditions chases depression, self medicating and a perpetual sense of hopelessness.
While we have come a ways since Jimenez' youth, we still have a long road to travel before we end stories like his. I feel like we simply can't work fast enough to find a way.
I understand fully why so many of my ESL/ELL students made the recommendation. First, Jimenez speaks to the reality of going to school as a non-native language speaker. The fear, the frustration, the sense of incompetence. While Francisco was from Mexico, his story spoke to my students from all over the world.
Further, his dance with poverty and endless cycle of looking for work and safe shelter resonates with many of my refugee students. This story is not unique to pre-Chavez migrant farm workers. This story is all around us today. It is the story of the migrant family living in their car, parked in the underground parking lot at your local grocer.
It is the story of the mother who is making minimum wage at the fast food store in town. She must find a way to feed her five children with her "living wage".
In the end, as I read this story that takes place in the late 40's and early 50's of rural California, I recognized my own backyard in each chapter. I think this is what captivated my students and motivated them to encourage me to read the story.
I only wish that we were all as resilient as Jimenez. His is the story of a little boy who had something built within, a something that kept him from giving into the relentless poverty and discrimination. I dare say that this "something" is a rare gem. Far too often the child who grows up in these conditions chases depression, self medicating and a perpetual sense of hopelessness.
While we have come a ways since Jimenez' youth, we still have a long road to travel before we end stories like his. I feel like we simply can't work fast enough to find a way.
September 26, 2011
I read this for my class on Boys and Literacy. I plan to pair this non-fiction book with the fiction book, Crossing the Wire, by Will Hobbs, that I recently read. This book, Circuit, is a small book of short stories from the life of a migrant child in the late 1940s and early 1950s. The stories are interesting and very eye opening. This migrant child eventually grew up to be a professor of modern languages at Santa Clara University, but his early years as the child of illegal migrant farm workers was filled with poverty, deprivation and discrimination. My next read will be the sequel to this, a book called Breaking Through. Everyone who thinks he or she is an expert on the problem of illegal immigration and what should be done about it needs to read and contemplate this book and and others like Crossing the Wire and the Tortilla Curtain. It reminds me of the famous quote by Atticus Finch in the classic To Kill a Mockingbird (a book I dearly love) when he said that you never really know someone until you walk around in his shoes. Books like this one allow us to walk in the shoes of those individuals who come to this country out of poverty and desparation and do our most menial work for sub-standard pay, all while living in fear of being sent back to conditions so bad we can barely imagine them. Very thought provoking.
November 18, 2015
The book "The Circuit", is a really good book about a migrant child who comes to the USA illegally, and is now facing the troubles as an immigrant.This is a book with many short stories.I personally think that this book is really sad and the ending is...from my opinion really strong and powerful.This book is mostly kind of "challenging", because it has a lot of challenging words in spanish and I did have to search up some words on google to find its meaning (LOL).I would recommend this book to anybody who likes short story books and a book with very little spanish words.Once again, I totally loved this book and I hope you will also.
January 7, 2012
My 11 year old son is reading this in school. He has been very moved by the stories of a Mexican family's illegal entry into the United States and the life they faced as migrant workers. Francisco, the younger son in the family, is the narrator of the story and his young eyes gave me a much keener appreciation for the difficulties of migrant life. A book like this could easily have become saccharine and manipulative. Jimenez's book was not, and I was glad that my son's teachers brought a book of this emotional and political depth to my son's class.
December 26, 2014
This book would be one of my favorites in my bookshelf.
I enjoyed and thrilled reading this story.
Panchito illegally crossed the border between America and Mexico with his parents and 2 brothers. They struggled making money and surviving with the big family working at the several crop fields. This story was sort of making me think about the education is one of the ways to make a change in our lives. Gladly I now study in college and have an opportunity to obtain my thrived future hopefully. Anyhow, I will look forward to reading the sequel of his biography.
I enjoyed and thrilled reading this story.
Panchito illegally crossed the border between America and Mexico with his parents and 2 brothers. They struggled making money and surviving with the big family working at the several crop fields. This story was sort of making me think about the education is one of the ways to make a change in our lives. Gladly I now study in college and have an opportunity to obtain my thrived future hopefully. Anyhow, I will look forward to reading the sequel of his biography.
October 11, 2018
This children’s book follows the narrative arc of the Grapes of Wrath fairly closely and I read it as a potential supporting read for younger high school students. From that perspective, the narrative becomes a bit too focused on the young protagonist’s personal life. The second half focused more on his sister stealing his coin collection to buy gum or who is allowed to join the neighbourhood boys in a game of kick the can.
The perspective of the undocumented farm worker is important and I like that the text is more accessible than Steinbeck’s text but it is certainly no substitution.
The perspective of the undocumented farm worker is important and I like that the text is more accessible than Steinbeck’s text but it is certainly no substitution.
October 24, 2024
"The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child" by Francisco Jiménez is a powerful and emotional read, especially as a 20-year-old student who’s had the privilege of stability. The book tells the story of Francisco, a young boy from a Mexican migrant family, and the hardships they face working on farms across California. What struck me most was how different Francisco's childhood was from mine—constantly moving, working long hours in the fields, and struggling with language barriers, all while trying to pursue an education.
As a student, it made me appreciate how much I’ve taken my education for granted. Francisco's drive to learn, even when his family’s life is filled with uncertainty, is inspiring. His determination, despite all odds, shows the power of persistence, and his love for learning makes you realize how much potential people have, even when they don’t have the resources or opportunities we often take as a given.
The book also beautifully captures the strength of family and the immigrant experience in America. Francisco's family's sacrifices and their close bonds give a raw emotional depth to the story, showing that even in the hardest times, their hope and resilience shine through.
"The Circuit" is not just a story about struggle, but about hope and perseverance. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges many immigrants face and the value of education and family. The book made me reflect on how fortunate I am and how much I should appreciate the opportunities I have.
As a student, it made me appreciate how much I’ve taken my education for granted. Francisco's drive to learn, even when his family’s life is filled with uncertainty, is inspiring. His determination, despite all odds, shows the power of persistence, and his love for learning makes you realize how much potential people have, even when they don’t have the resources or opportunities we often take as a given.
The book also beautifully captures the strength of family and the immigrant experience in America. Francisco's family's sacrifices and their close bonds give a raw emotional depth to the story, showing that even in the hardest times, their hope and resilience shine through.
"The Circuit" is not just a story about struggle, but about hope and perseverance. It’s a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges many immigrants face and the value of education and family. The book made me reflect on how fortunate I am and how much I should appreciate the opportunities I have.
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