Sandy Kaser, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona

Dear Mr. Francisco Jimenez,

I’ve read all of your books and they are all so great! It made me disappointed how some of the people treated you and your family. Like when your girlfriend took you home to meet her parents and they were angry because you were a Mexican.

I liked the part when you asked Roberto if he’d dance with you because you wanted to learn how to dance. And Roberto was afraid that someone would see you dancing together.

I admired how you didn’t care what other people thought of you. You were brave and devoted and kept going even after someone insulted you or put you down.

I also liked how your books were so descriptive, everything stood out in my mind. I could picture the people you described and the places you went in my mind like I’d actually seen them before.

I loved your books. They were all so wonderful.

Sincerely,

Madeline

Dear Mr. Jimenez,

I thought your books were fascinating. I hope I can become something big like you some day. I loved reading your books. I remember when my cousin went to college. I probably felt the way your brothers and sisters felt when you went away to college. I hope someday I can get a good job like you. You are an idol to some people in the world.

I hope you enjoy being a teacher. I hope I can follow my dreams like you did. I would like to be a veterinarian. I would also like to move to Paris. I’m practicing my French. Maybe some day I can get my dream job and house.

See, after becoming a vet I want to travel the world. Or maybe travel the world before becoming a vet. If none of that works out, I will get another job and stay in Tucson, Arizona.

Your friend,

Victoria

Dear Mr. Jimenez,

I enjoyed reading The Circuit, Breaking Through, and Reaching Out with my class. But I have wondered a few things, like whatever happened to your father after he fled to Mexico. And did you have a job after you graduated from college but before you got your doctorate?

Sincerely,

Adrian

Dear Mr. Jimenez,

I have read all three of your books and all of them a re just great! It must have been very hard to have as many siblings as you did. I only have one and she annoys me very much.

The St. Christopher medallion that your father gave you reminds me of Santa Nino De Atocha medallion that was given to me by my third grade teacher while I was in the hospital. I never leave the house without it. I recall that Santa Nino is the saint that saved your brother Trampita. You had to have been really scared then. When I was sick, my sister was devastated. I am alive today because of the Santa Nino.

I admire your persistence in wanting to live at Bonetti ranch. It took a lot of bravery to leave your family and live alone with your brother. Overall, you are very responsible in everything. I would not have been able to do the things you did at such a young age.

Sincerely,

Mirella

Dear Francisco Jimenez,

I like your stories and that is why I am writing to you. I have done some of the same stuff you have. It must have been hard when your house burned down. When my friend’s house burned down, I felt really bad.

The End

Jared

Dear Francisco Jimenez,

Francisco, you are a really talented guy. I read all your books. You had a tough childhood. I did, too. We did not find work. At school I got bullied a lot . . bad grades . . no one liked me. But I found a way. I started to help people for money. I got math books and studied hard and I got help.

I had a friend get shot this year. He died. It has been hard on me. I have his picture on my desk. I think about him all the time.

I liked the way you made it to college, man. Don’t stop writing.

From Angel

To Dr. Francisco Jimenez:

I have read three of your books so far. What I really like is the description. I thought it would be fun to pick cotton and fruit. But from what I have heard, it is something I might not want to do. I thought it would be just like picking soft cloth.

You made college seem very difficult. But I do not know if it has changed over the years.

I still don’t completely comprehend why your father got so sick in a different kind of way. I understand that his back hurt, and that he missed home and all that, but it sort of makes me feel uncomfortable. I don’t know if it is okay to ask, but what happened to him? Did you ever move back with him . . or did any of your family?

It seems to me that overall you had a nice life because you got to experience different places and different styles.

Diego. S.

Dear Francisco,

Our class has read The Circuit, Breaking Through, and Reaching Out. We enjoyed all of them. I connected to the books when your family worked in the cotton fields and the vegetable fields because my family and I go to California a few times a year and we always drive by the fields.

I wish I could meet you and talk with you face to face. We did watch a video of an interview you did. You sound just like your books.

I want you to know that I also keep a word notebook. But I do it to learn Spanish words.

Claire

Dear Francisco Jimenez:

How are you, Francisco? Your Circuit book is kind of like my life right now. I have had to move a lot and I’m kind of poor. But I was able to manage, sort of. It was hard making friends for me. It took me at least four days to make friends. It’s hard for my age. I am only 11 and plus my parents fight sometimes, but not all the time. And I have a little sister that’s two and it is hard on her. So I guess I am saying that you are not the only one who has to deal with this stuff. My dad is going through a depression because my step dad won’t let me see him. What should I do? If you have a suggestion, I hope you will let me know it.

David

Hi!

I admire you for working out in the fields and following your dream ever since you were a little boy. I myself am Mexican, but I was born here in Tucson. I did not have to go through learning English. That must have been hard, but you knew it needed to be done. When your Dad told you that you wouldn’t be a teacher because only rich people went to college, you never let that stop you from your dreams. Thank you. You really inspired me.

Andres

Dear Francisco Jimenez,

In class we have read three of your books. I thought it was unfair that you have to keep moving around and leaving school. I liked how you explained why you got tired of it, but you had to do it. Your family was very important to you.
I can imagine the stories like they are movies in my head; for example, when you house got on fire. I could imagine that and it was tense. I really enjoyed reading your books.

Jaclyn

Dear Francisco Jimenez,

My favorite book was Breaking Through because I thought that was really lucky, going to college. Were your family members shocked about going to college because in your book you said that no one in your family but you went to college.

What was interested to me was that you and your family crossed the border illegally. I was surprised! This is a big issue in Arizona right now. I am glad to got papers.

Elias

Dear Francisco Jimenez,

How do you remember all the events from when you were in school? Did you keep a journal or a diary along the way? I liked how you wrote stories about your childhood when you were anxious and wanted to relax. For most kids, having to write is very stressful.

Was it exhausting to write a book? How long did it take you? It must have been so exciting. Your English probably got better, too.

Sincerely,

Ricky

Dear Francisco Jimenez,

I really enjoyed your books. They are very sad in some parts. But then they show a lot of bravery. I was very happy when you got to become a US citizen. When you got into college, it was very cool that you got a scholarship from your high school teacher. I also think that you had a very exciting life. Maybe it just seems that way because it is in a book. But I thought moving from state to state was exciting, and when you won president and the school election.

Your friend,

Cierra

Dear Mr. Jimenez,

You have a wonderful life! And you write wonderful books! Your books are the best books I have read. I like all the details about your life. Most biographies don’t have so many details. We all hope you make more books for us to read about getting married and your children. It kind of scared me when the baby stopped breathing by the way. But at least he is okay.

Astraea

Dear Francisco Jimenez,

My class read three of your books. I also came here to Tucson, Arizona from Mexico with my mom, my dad, and my older brother. And my brother is trying to get into college right now.

Reaching Out was my favorite of the three books because I like reading about when you went to college and your friends. Our class really enjoyed reading your books. Thank you for taking the time to write them.

Sincerely,

Alexia

Dear Dr. Jimenez,

I thought your books were absolutely fabulous. I kind of connect to the parts about your Catholic faith because I am a little Catholic but mostly protestant. My family is part of the Salvation Army. It is really important to us. Both my parents are captains in the Salvation Army and we do lots of things for the homeless and other things.

My family is also not very rich. I would like to know if you have children yourself and what you named them. Also, when you became a college professor, did you get your mother a nice house? I thought she deserved a nice house.

Your fan,

Amber

Dear Dr. Jimenez,

I think that your books were wonderful! I can’t believe that you went through all of those adventures. I have sort of an idea of how if felt when you got into college because I got into a middle school (I am in fifth grade going into middle school next year) called Dodge Middle School. Lots of people are on a waiting list to go there.

Each of your books taught important lessons. One of them is that I learned to appreciate everything in life very much because nothing is forever.

Sincerely,

Diego

Dear Mr. Jimenez,

You have had a thrilling life judging from your books that you wrote. I like the part in The Circuit where you and your little brother sell goldfish from that pond in the camp. I think that migrant farm workers need more respect. I hope that they are getting that now. We read about the work of Cesar Chavez and we are glad you were a part of that. But for you, you showed us how some people were treated like animals. But look where you are now. That is good where you are now. You have a wife, and children, and a great job.

I do have a couple of questions to ask. How did you feel when you lost your pocket notebook in the fire? Did you make another one, or did you have it all in your head? Maybe you said but I forget. I know that the notebook was very important to you.I also am wondering where all your family members live now and what they are all doing.

Sincerely,

Luis

Dear Francisco Jimenez,

My class and I have read all of your books and I think that your life was really interesting. I like how strong you are, like when your dad was sick, you didn’t give up. You had to still do your homework and still do your job. You kept your focus and you still had respect for your dad.

When you came back from college, I liked how you were taking care of your family. I thought that was really heroic. But one thing I would like to know about is that would you have wanted to stay with your friends that you had in school. I think it is very hard to leave your friends and make new ones. That would be a big challenge.

Your friend, Jesus

Dear Mr. Francisco Jimenez,

I think your books are great! I think they are inspirational because they get me thinking about how great my life is. I am Mexican, like you, and I speak Spanish.

When did you decide to write these books? I have also worked picking in fields. They are my father’s fields. But although I work, I do not have to support my family.

Again, thank you for writing these interesting books. We enjoyed every little story and we write little stories about our lives.

Sincerely,

Jennifer

The letter my class received from Francisco Jimenez –

Dear Ms Kaser and Students,

You cannot imagine how pleased I was to receive your wonderful letters in which you let me know that you enjoyed reading all three of my books. I thoroughly enjoyed reading your comments and sharing them with my family.

Thank you, Ms. Kaser for introducing The Circuit, Breaking Through, and Reaching Out to your students. And thank you, students, for your positive reaction to my books. As you know, these stories are autobiographical. However, the experiences I describe in the book are the experiences of many migrant families of yesterday and today.

Unfortunately, many families in our country, especially in California, continue to harvest our crops at very low wages and to work in the fields under terrible conditions. Their hard and noble work is the foundation of our agricultural economy and their experiences are an important part of the story of our nation.

I am sorry I am unable to answer each and every question you asked but you will find answers for many of them on my web site at www.scu.edu/fjimenez/. Because many of you asked about my family, I have enclosed some up-dated information about my brothers, sister and parents.

Students, you are fortunate to be attending Robins Elementary School and to have a terrific teacher like Ms. Kaser. I wish each of you continued success in your studies. As you now know, my experience has taught me that the best way to realize your dreams whatever they may be, is through education.

And, Ms. Kaser, I thank you for being a teacher. Were it not for the guidance and encouragement that I received from my own teachers, I would not have had the preparation or the courage necessary to pursue my academic aspirations. I have no doubt that you are playing the same crucial role in your students’ lives that my teachers played in mine.

Thank you for your terrific letters and for your interest in my work. I am grateful to all of you.

Sincerely,

Francisco Jimenez
Faye Boyle Professor
Department of Modern Languages and Literatures

Francisco Jimenez, Family Update

1. Father, Francisco: He died of cancer in 1979.
2. Mother, Joaquina: She lived out her life in Santa Maria. After a lengthy and courageous battle with serious health problems, she died peacefully in 2009. She will be deeply missed. Her strong faith and indomitable spirit are the priceless legacy that her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren will forever carry in their hearts.
3. Roberto (Toto): He is retired from the Santa Maria Elementary School District where he served as the Purchasing Supervisor for over 35 years. He and his wife, Darlene, have four grown children; three daughters and a son. Two of their children are elementary school teachers. They are the grandparents to six grandchildren.
4. Francisco (Panchito): He has taught Spanish language and literature at Santa Clara University for 35 years. He and his wife have three grown sons who are all married. He is abuelito to three grandchildren.
5. Jose Francisco (Trampita): He received his teaching credential from Chico State University under the G.I. Bill, and worked for migrant education for a few years. Currently he and his wife run an after school program in Aptos, California. They have two grown children: a son and a daughter.
6. Juan Manuel (Torito): He is a high school teacher in Santa Maria, California. He teaches courses in world history and Chicano history and literature. And, he serves as the varsity basketball coach at Santa Maria High School. He is married and has three grown children: two sons and a daughter.
7. Evangelina (Rorra): She married right after completing high school and is working as an administrative assistant. She has four grown children and lives in Santa Maria.
8. Ruben (Carne Seca): He spent his early career as a State Park Ranger. For the past seven years he has been working as the Director of Maintenance for Allan Hancock Community College in Santa Maria, California. He is married and has three grown children: two daughters and a son.

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• Themes: Francisco Jiménez, Sandy Kaser
• Descriptors: Books & Resources, Student Connections, WOW Currents