Structure

"Breaking Through" is a non-fiction collection comprised of anecdotes by the author about his life as a Mexican immigrant. The beginning of the book is about when he, his brother, and his mother were illegal, but a majority of the memoir is about his life in America as an adolescent.

The anecdotes are short. Some segue into each other, others do not. The anecdotes are in chronological order, beginning when Francisco was a child all the way through young adulthood when he leaves for college. The author notes that he wanted to convey what life was like for him as he tried to break through barriers during adolescence that other children and young adults may have experienced, as well. There is usually a life lesson learned in each story.

Perspective

"Breaking Through" is written in the first person. Francisco Jimenez is a Mexican immigrant, along with his...