The Crossing

Paulsen, G. (2006). The Crossing. Scholastic Paperbacks.

The Crossing is a great book that depicts the hardships of a young orphan name Manny. He lives in Juarez, Mexico and goes day by day just hoping to survive off the streets. The setting takes place across the heavily guarded Texas border. Manny must compete daily with his bigger and stronger rivals for the coins that American tourists throw off the bridge. Manny must even sometimes pretend to be crippled in order to make enough money to buy him food. Tired of a life of living on the streets and the constant threat of human traffickers, he comes up with a plan to cross the bridge to the U.S. in hopes of living a better and safer life. Unfortunately, his first attempt goes wrong. He meets a soldier name Robert Locke, who struggles with his past and drinks his pain away. He is Manny’s only hope to achieve his dream. In the end the soldier does protect Manny from the human traffickers who wish to take him. He suffers stab wounds and consequently dies. This book is culturally relevant to students with whom I work with. I know my readers can gain much about sharing discussions on some of the issues of immigration and dreaming of a better life in the U.S. I have students that can relate to some of Manny’s experiences in Juarez. I believe the author does a great job at depicting the setting across the Texas border as well as the daily struggle people deal with in Juarez.