BREAKING THROUGH

In this sequel to THE CIRCUIT, Francisco Jiménez fictionalizes more of his painful experiences as a Mexican illegal in the United States in the late '50s. Panchito, now 14, lives in fear of the immigration authorities until they find and deport him and his family. When he returns with his "green card," he still faces menial labor, bigotry, and the trials of adolescence. Narrator Robert Ramirez brings Panchito's life into sharp focus, highlighting parent-teenage culture clashes, spirit-crushing days of working before and after school, and desperate attempts to fit in. Ramirez not only provides the perfect voice for the ingenuous Mexican boy, but also invests Panchito with heart and determination. Ramirez's performance underscores the boy's hopeful enthusiasm as he discovers that success is possible through hard work and a good education. S.J.H. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC 03/JAN 04]