Jimenez, F. (2008). Reaching Out. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company. 196 pages, $16.
In this sequel to Breaking Through and The Circuit, Francisco Jimenez tells us about his journey as he attended college at Santa Clara University. What trials and tribulations did he face? Was he able to overcome them and succeed?
Francisco Jimenez tells us about his college years at Santa Clara Universtiy. It was difficult for him to be so far away from his family and knowing that he couldn't readily help them if they needed it. But he was loyal to his family, and during breaks between semesters, he went back home to Bonetti Ranch where his migrant family lived to help them financially and emotionally. During the semesters, he explains how it was difficult for him. He wanted to do well and get good grades to make himself and his family proud. He found a good friend in his roommmate, Smokey Murphy. Francisco always tried his best on his assignments, often putting off a social life to complete an assignment. If he didn't do well on his term papers or assignments, he discovered that his professors offered help or advice, either in improving his work or with feeling comfortable with who he is. They also encouraged him to join student groups and work on campus to build connections, get help for his school work, and feel comfortable being a part of the campus community. Francisco was often hesitant about reaching out to people and nervous about trying new things, but the people he talked to wanted him to succeed and do well for himself, so he took their advice and found that it was to his advantage to ask for help and reach out to other people. It was through his hard work, determination, and dedication that he was able to finish college, build connections and networks (both personal and business) with people, and further his education. He met people who were willing to help him, and he took their help, but he didn't want to take it for granted. He wanted to make sure he didn't disappoint the people who helped him, so he always did his best so that they would see that he was good for what they gave him; he deserved it, and they made a good choice by helping him. Francisco also knew that he wanted to do the same for others, so he set his mind to pay back the people who helped him by doing his best always and by helping others. His hard work, determination, and dedication helped him earn a fellowship that would enable him to attend graduate school with the objective of becoming a professor. He had always known that he wanted to become a teachers and help students like himself, but this opportunity would help him reach his goals and help others.
The title, Reaching Out, refers to Francisco realizing that he needed help and having the courage to ask for it. Francisco learned that he didn't have to be on his own and figure things out for himself. He learned that there were people who were there for him, at home, at work, and at school, who wanted him to succeed and would help him reach his goals. He knew he would have to work hard to reach them, but he realized that he didn't have to do it alone.
I chose this book because I have The Circuit and Breaking Through, which tell about his early life, so I thought it was only natural that I read to find out about Francisco's college career. I also read the book because Francisco's previous books had reminded me about my grandpa and how he used to be a migrant worker. He also did what he could to give his family a better life than what he had, so Francisco, in a way, reminded me of my grandpa. I enjoyed reading Francisco's books and rooted for him to get good grades, make good friends, build connections, and reach his goals, and through his hard work, and help from others, he did.
Reaching Out won Honor for the Pura Belpre Award. Visit
http://www.scu.edu/cas/modernlanguages/facultystaff/jimenezhomepage.cfm to learn more about Francisco Jimenez and other children's books he has written such as La Mariposa and The Christmas Gift/El Regalo de Navidad.
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