The Circuit
Summary: The firs of three amazing autobiographical novel by Francisco Jimenez, this is a non-fiction account of a family’s journey immigrating from Jalisco, Mexico to California in search of a better life. However, life in the new country turns from bad to worse. Narrated in first person by Francisco or "Panchito", we learn that instead of a life full of possibilities the family encounters hopelessness and broken dreams. Their life consists of survival through family unity and faith. Throughout the novel the reader feels Panchito’s pain of growing up as a child laborer in the fields of California and the struggles of poverty, hunger, injustice and learning English while negotiating with the American education system in the 1940’s.
CLD Students: This book is easily accessible both with language and content for all CLD students. While the story is set in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, students will be able to relate to many of the experiences encountered by the narrator and his family. The struggles of CLD students are the same as represented in the book although they may look differently. While the language used by Jimenez is simple the topics allow for opportunities for rich conversation and writing by CLD students as they analyze personal connections to the text; the idea of justice in the United States and their place in American society.
Related Materials/Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17fi3buAscY
This TEDx talk by Dr. Alvaro Huerta gives background to the causes of migration and an introduction to the Bracero program and migrant farmers; such themes are discussed in the book The Circuit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NfEtO00DSvI
YouTube video: “Fingers to the Bone: Child Farmworkers in the United States”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5QFm0qeAlk
YouTube video: “Invisible America: The Migrant Story” Information about migrant camps and farmers
Available Formats and Languages: English, Spanish, paperback, hardcover, kindle, audio CD
Age Range: 10 years old and up
ISBN: 978-1-4395-6969-6