The Circuit

By: Francisco Jiménez

Narrated by: Adrian Vargas

Length: 2 hrs and 58 mins

Publisher's summary

Francisco Jiménez writes of his childhood growing up in an immigrant Mexican family. His narrative is simple, as from a child's point of view, but that same simplicity packs the power of a highly skilled storyteller.

Beautifully and authentically rendered by actor and playwright Adrian Vargas, these twelve stories tell of the almost unendurable journey most migrant campesinos undertake to find the "American Dream." The recording concludes with an afterword recorded by the author. The Circuit is also available in Spanish as Cajas de Cartón.

©1997 Francisco Jimé (P)2001 Audio Bookshelf

Critic reviews

An excellent listen, in English OR en español!

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Circuit?
The fire that destroyed the familiy's first real house (as opposed to the makeshift shacks and tents usually provided by the farmer-employers).

Have you listened to any of Adrian Vargas’s other performances before? How does this one compare?
I also listened to the version in Spanish, and it was equally wonderful.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
I think a film SHOULD be made of this fine collection of well-structured vignettes: the tag line could be, 'an updated, and livelier, Grapes of Wrath'.

Any additional comments?

Perspective and pace

Excellent audio book! I love the way this book is accessible to kids (ages 9 and up) and adults. Jimenez has a wonderful pace to his descriptions of living conditions and the constant need for the family to find work. I think this should be a must read for anyone who wants a perspective on the life of migrant farm workers in California.

The childhood life of A migrant farm worker

This is the autobiographical story of the life of a child in a Mexican migrant farm worker family. The author tried to write a story which would be accessible to both children and adults. It is the story of a hard-working family faces most of the problems of a migrant family but the boy who is the narrator of the story very positively wins out over the problems until the man in the green uniform from the border patrol comes into his eighth-grade classroom and take him away.

helpful story, but good not great

helpful story, but good not great - I don't regret reading it, but I wish it had been a bit more engaging

Beautifully written

This book tugged at my heart. My grandparents were migrant workers and I am Mexican American second generation. My father would tell my brother and I to appreciate going to school because there are children who don’t have that privilege. This book made me think twice about complaining about things in my life that by comparison seem so insignificant. Thank you Francisco for bringing these stories to life.

A tutors review

loved the story but do not like how the chapters to match with actual book.

This spoke to my soul.

I now have to read everything this author has written. it's wonderful. A must read for everyone.

As an aspiring English teacher...

...in California, and also one who is white and doesn’t speak Spanish, this book was convicting. It is a call to be a teacher that works to help, encourage, support, and most importantly, connect with all children–including those who are striving to learn English and attain literacy in the English language. After all, learning a new language is something to be admired. It’s not a deficiency. It’s inspiring. This book has inspired me to learn Spanish so that I may be as effective as I can in connecting with such students. Give it a read/listen and allow it to touch your heart.

A new point of view!

Such an intriguing story. Migrants gave a lot to worry about. My son loved it!

Short Stories Masterpiece

I was not aware of this book was a compilation of short stories when I purchased it. The stories are well written and told through the eyes of an immigrant child. The stories describe how a family that moves from Mexico to the United States deal with a number of challenges. It is a great book for middle school students and adults alike.