Breaking Through

Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez
Date of Publication: August 27, 2011
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

               Breaking Through, written by Francisco Jimenez, is a first person innocent story that talks about the difficulties and struggles that Francisco and his family faced over the years. The Jimenez family was hoping that once they have migrated from Mexico into the United States, they would be able to earn more money and have a better living, although they migrated into the United States illegally by crossing the border. Few years later, they were arrested by the border patrol and escorted back to Mexico. Once they have received proper documentation to migrate, to go back to their home in California. Over the months Francisco has been absent from school and is now struggle in each and every one of his classes. Francisco's Papa is now experiencing back pain and would have mood swings.

               No matter how many jobs each of the family members has, the money that they earn is not enough to suffice the family. Once Francisco's brother, Roberto, has gotten married and moved away, the family's financial problems has increased. Not only Francisco has to worry about his family problems, but also college too. During Francisco's high school life, he has been working hard in to pass each class and in return he gets exceptional good grades. Francisco was told of the many scholarships he could obtain due to his good grades and the financial aid that he could sign up for. Few months have passed and he received a letter telling him that he is now enrolled into the University of Santa Clara. After graduation, Francisco begins his journey and heads out to his new year in college.

Quote: "But when I said I was Mexican there was dead silence" (Jimenez 107).

Reaction: In this quote it tells the readers about the discrimination and racism that comes out of Roberto's girlfriend, Susan's, family when he pays them a house visit. The moment that Roberto tells Susan's parents that he was Mexican, their conversation afterwards got uncomfortable and less friendly. After Roberto stated his nationality, Susan's parents opposed them of going out together, but both Susan and Roberto did not agree with their decision. Susan's Papa even tried to bribe her to stop going out with Roberto by promising that he would buy a car for her. Even though her parents disagreed about having them dating each other, they still kept going out and even kept it as a secret from Susan's parents. It was not long before they were discovered by Susan's Papa. In opinion I thought that Susan's parent should not oppose who she is dating even if they are Mexican or any other nationality and also it limits her freedom of choosing who to date.

The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter: Falling Leaves

Falling Leaves by Adeline Yen Mah

Date of Publication: April, 1999

Publisher:  Crown Publishing Group

Falling Leaves, written by Adeline Yen Mah, is a first person innocent eye story talking about her family history and the experience that she had to go through in the Yen family. Through time Adeline had to face the abuse of her family members, including her sibling, Niang, her stepmother, and her father. The life of the Yen's family has changed dramatically after moving to Shanghai. Adeline was enrolled as a boarder by Niang to the St. Joseph due to the bad influence she got from Aunt Baba. As time passes everyone starts getting older such as Ye Ye who soon developed diabetes and Adeline who has developed pneumonia.

After attending St. Joseph, Adeline soon head toward England in order to study abroad. During the times when Adeline was away, Niang announced to all the family member that their sister, Susan, was officially disowned. As time passes again, Adeline's father develops an illness and later on dies and Adeline gets married to a guy named, Bob, and had kids. When Adeline's father dies, Niang tried to prevent the family from reading his will. 2 years after the death of their father, Niang also gets sick and dies.

Quotes: "A desolation swept over me more intense than any I had ever know" (Mah 63).

Reaction: This quote tells the readers that Adeline would often feel devastated due to the abuse of her siblings and her stepmother, Niang. This quote describes her feelings when PLT, her ducking, was killed by Jack, their dog. This quote is important since it tells the treatment that Adeline receives from her father and how she always has to endure it. The author, Adeline, writes this novel though the eyes of a child and memories. Adeline might hae felt devastated since PLT was killed and there were so many other ducklings that they could have used in the house, but her siblings just had to use hers. In my opinion, I thought that it was too much abuse for Adeline to handle from her family members since she was only at a young age.