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A review by sarahfretz
Crossing the Wire by Will Hobbs
4.0
Name: Sarah Fretz
Citation: Hobbs, W. (2006). Crossing the wire. New York: HarperCollins.
Genre: Adventure
Award:
Format: Hardcover
Selection: School Library Journal, 2006
Review:
Living in a poor, rural area of Mexico, Victor and his best friend Rico work hard bring money and food to their struggling families. Rico confides in Victor that he has been sent money to hire a “coyote” to take him to the United States. Scared for his friend, Victor stays silent but soon realizes that with no hope in Mexican agriculture and in order to better provide for his family, he may have to follow in Rico’s steps. However, with coyote prices so high, Victor is unsure how to make the trip.
Knowing his family comes first, he makes the grueling decision to attempt to cross the border, alone. The book takes you on Victor’s adventurous journey through the desert, through tunnels, on trains and in cars and in the woods. The reader travels in a fast-pace as Victor faces danger (and the authorities), meets others in the same situation, and tries desperately to get to a place that he truly believes can save his family. As he eventually reunites with Rico, the young men face these dangers together and make startling decisions in the end.
The descriptions of the area, the ever-present danger, and the anticipation put the reader right in Victor’s shoes as he makes the dangerous decision to cross the border. The page-turning, exciting story is reminiscent of the many daily journeys we hear about so often as people attempt to come to the United States.
Highly recommended.
Citation: Hobbs, W. (2006). Crossing the wire. New York: HarperCollins.
Genre: Adventure
Award:
Format: Hardcover
Selection: School Library Journal, 2006
Review:
Living in a poor, rural area of Mexico, Victor and his best friend Rico work hard bring money and food to their struggling families. Rico confides in Victor that he has been sent money to hire a “coyote” to take him to the United States. Scared for his friend, Victor stays silent but soon realizes that with no hope in Mexican agriculture and in order to better provide for his family, he may have to follow in Rico’s steps. However, with coyote prices so high, Victor is unsure how to make the trip.
Knowing his family comes first, he makes the grueling decision to attempt to cross the border, alone. The book takes you on Victor’s adventurous journey through the desert, through tunnels, on trains and in cars and in the woods. The reader travels in a fast-pace as Victor faces danger (and the authorities), meets others in the same situation, and tries desperately to get to a place that he truly believes can save his family. As he eventually reunites with Rico, the young men face these dangers together and make startling decisions in the end.
The descriptions of the area, the ever-present danger, and the anticipation put the reader right in Victor’s shoes as he makes the dangerous decision to cross the border. The page-turning, exciting story is reminiscent of the many daily journeys we hear about so often as people attempt to come to the United States.
Highly recommended.