The Circuit (juvenile memoir)

But out of the graphic trinity the book that most captivated me was The Circuit: written by Francisco Jimenez, adapted by Andrew J. Rostan, and illustrated by Celia Jacobs. I'd read the more traditionally formatted original story quite a few years ago and found myself angered and saddened to see what children in migrant farmer families have to endure. But the experience of reading it in graphic format was so different that it was like reading a whole other book.
Fransisco was the third youngest son in a migrant family. Three younger children were born in the course of the narrative. The family followed a yearly circuit dictated by the seasonal ripening of California crops. Housing was substandard, medical care accessed only in times of emergency. Schooling was haphazard. Finances were always shaky. A week of rain making harvesting impossible meant no money coming in. And when Francisco's father seriously injured his back it was up to one of his sons to take on full time work.
The graphic format with its eloquent blend of words and images makes Francisco's experience accessible to juvenile readers. They can see the whole family, including a fairly new baby, sleeping on their only mattress in a cardboard floored tent. They can see Francisco's confusion and frustration his first time in an elementary school taught solely in English. They can see his grief when a family friend is fired and deported to Mexico. They can really come to care about youngsters like Fransisco…
…This is crucial because although the book is set quite awhile ago sadly migrant worker abuse is still rampant today. Children work out in the fields under abusive conditions. They may not be able to take bathroom breaks or have access to clean water during heat waves. When fields are sprayed they are exposed to toxic chemicals. Young readers and their families can join the fight for migrant rights and help to make a difference.
On a purrrsonal note, the day after the 4th Eugene and I breakfasted at Governors and drove up to camp. On the way we got subs for lunch and supper and stopped at an incredible yard sale where I found 2 pairs of sneakers including high top Vans, two pairs of darling pajamas, Adorable sandals, and a cat shirt and skinny leg jeans—all children sizes—and Eugene found a Harry Potter owl. All that for $21 which Eugene paid $20 of. At camp the weather was purrrfect. I sat on the porch, read, and watched a tiny, adorable red squirrel.
A great big shout out goes out to Eugene and the woman who sold me such amazing merch.
Jules Hathaway