Rating: 
Summary: The Pope vs The Circuit
Review: If you want to forget your troubles and focus on someone else's, then read this book "The Circuit" by Francisco Jimenez. If you are looking for a book which is entertaining, enlightening, informative, inspirational, or even slightly interesting, look elsewhere. I would give this book a two out of ten for interest, five out of ten for content, and ten out of ten for realism, and I can safely say I will not read this book again.The story is about Francisco Jimenez, whose parents sneak across the border with him into California in the hopes of a better life. While his parents work at various farms around the country, Francisco struggles with life as a poor illiterate Latino child growing up in America. Hardly the plot for much excitement or adventure. I honestly believe a biography about the Pope written by an eighty year old blind priest would be more interesting. This book was alright in context, but it completely lacked sense of exploration or depth. I would say this book is best for a young child, someone still amused by Powderpuff girls and Pokemon, but not someone looking for an entertaining, enlightening, informative, or inspirational autobiography. If I am going to read a book about someone else's life, I would hope it would be something I can relate to, which is exciting, insightful, and most importantly, being interesting enough to be worthy of my time. This book however, was not. (...)
Rating: 
Summary: This book is a "must read."
Review: The short stories in this collection bear
compelling witness to the strength and
vitality of the human spirit under the most
inhumane circumstances. This inspiring
tribute to the humanity of poor migrant
workers tells the right story at the right
time in this country, when immigrants,
documented or not, are shamelessly
scapegoated by politicians of every stripe. The powerful impact of these deceptively
simple stories may be credited to their
autobiographical character, the purity of
the prose, and the strength of the images. In reading this book you will experience the
untapped wealth of humanity that works our
fields, sews our clothes, waits our tables.
You will also be completely engaged by twelve
wonderful stories. For me, Dr. Jimenez' "Christmas Gift" tops
O. Henry's "Gift of the Magi" for the best
Christmas story ever -- and it's the perfect
size for a stocking stuffer! Steve Privett,S.J.[SPrivett@mailer.scu.edu] Santa Clara, California
Rating:
Summary: A captivating view of migrant life from a child's eyes
Review: This is a book that is suitable for all ages. Jimenez manages to describe his childhood in a manner that captivates the reader. I could not put the book down once I began reading. Do not think that just because these events happened long ago,that migrant families do not experience some of the same horrors today, for they do. I teach ESL to adult migrant workers and after reading this book I have an even greater respect for these hard working individuals. The farms and ranches of California could not exist as they do today without migrants who do the back breaking work in the fields. Most evenings at class my students (both men and women) come in directly from the fields, their eyes bloodshot, their hands rough and calloused, their backs bowed over. But they come eager to learn English so they can get a better job, or so they can help their children have a better education. An admirable people and Jimenez's book provides insight into their difficult working and living conditions.
Rating: 
Summary: Awards for The Circuit
Review: Winner of the 1997 John and Patricia Beatty Award from the California Library Association. Winner of the 1997 Americas Award.
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