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Francisco Jiménez

フランシスコ・ヒメネス

Furanshisuko Himenezu

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1943-06-29 （Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico）
Nationality
Mexico, United States
Languages
English, Spanish
Residence History
El Rancho Blanco, Jalisco, Mexico → Bonetti Ranch, Santa Maria, California, USA → Santa Clara, California, USA

Career

Occupations
Writer, Professor
Active Years
1966-
Affiliations
Santa Clara University, The Bilingual Review (co-founder), California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, California Council for the Humanities
Memberships
California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (member, former chair), California Council for the Humanities (former vice chair), WASC (Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities), Santa Clara University Board of Trustees (former member)

Education

Santa Clara University
College of Arts & Sciences (Spanish Studies) / Spanish Studies
Degree: B.A.
Year of Graduation: 1966
Country: United States
Attended on scholarships; became a U.S. citizen during undergraduate studies.
Columbia University
Graduate School (Latin American Literature) / Latin American Literature
Degree: Ph.D.
Country: United States
Attended on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship; earned M.A. and Ph.D. in Latin American Literature.

Awards

John Steinbeck Award
Organization: John Steinbeck Award organization
Result: 受賞
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award
Organization: The Boston Globe / Horn Book
Result: 受賞
Pura Belpré Honor
Organization: Associated with American Library Association
Result: 受賞（Honor）
Parents' Choice Award
Organization: Parents' Choice Foundation
Result: 受賞
Jane Addams Honor Book Award
Organization: Jane Addams Children's Book Award committee
Result: 受賞（Honor）
Tomás Rivera Book Award
Organization: Tomás Rivera Book Award organization
Result: 受賞
Carter G. Woodson Book Award
Organization: Carter G. Woodson Award organization
Result: 受賞
UCSB Luis Leal Award for Distinction in Chicano/Latino Literature
Organization: University of California, Santa Barbara
Result: 受賞
CASE / Carnegie U.S. Professor of the Year
Organization: CASE and the Carnegie Foundation
Result: 受賞（教育功労）

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child

1997 Autobiographical short stories / Young adult

Autobiographical collection documenting childhood as a migrant farm worker, crossing the border, school experiences, and the challenges and resilience of family life.

MigrationMigrant laborEducationFamily
Adaptations
  • [Play (stage)] The Circuit (stage adaptation)
Translations
  • Translated into multiple languages including Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Italian, Persian, and Spanish

Breaking Through

2002 Autobiographical sequel / Young adult

Sequel covering high school years, the struggles of working to support family while pursuing education; portions adapted for stage and short film.

EducationWork and coming of ageSelf-realization
Adaptations
  • [Short film] The Unbroken Sky (2023)
  • [Play (stage)] Breaking Through (stage adaptation)
Translations
  • Translated into Japanese (e.g., Under that Sky), Chinese, and other languages

Reaching Out

2008 Autobiographical sequel

Covers college experiences, community engagement, and personal development.

Higher educationIdentityCommunity

Taking Hold: From Migrant Childhood to Columbia University

2015 Autobiography / Memoir

Memoir focusing on graduate school years and academic journey toward a Ph.D.

EducationAcademic growthOvercoming immigrant challenges

La Mariposa

1998 Children's picture book

Autobiographical picture book about the challenges of not speaking English in first grade.

Language barrierSchool experienceChildhood perspective

Bibliography

  • Senderos fronterizos (2025)
  • The Circuit Graphic Novel (2024)
  • Cajas de Cartón (2023)
  • Pasos firmes: From Migrant Childhood to Columbia University (2022)
  • The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child (1997)
  • La Mariposa (1998)
  • The Christmas Gift/El regalo de Navidad (2000)
  • Breaking Through (2002)
  • Reaching Out (2008)
  • Taking Hold: From Migrant Childhood to Columbia University (2015)

Adaptations

  • The Unbroken Sky (short film, 2023) — adapted from portions of Breaking Through
  • Stage adaptations of The Circuit and Breaking Through (performed by various schools and companies)

Translations of Works

  • Chinese translations (e.g., Little Immigrant's Sky)
  • Japanese translations (e.g., Under that Sky; The Other Side of the Road)
  • Italian translations (Casse di cartone)
  • Spanish editions (Cajas de Cartón, Senderos fronterizos)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Autobiographical realismClear, accessible proseFocus on child/young adult perspectives
Recurring Motifs
Migration and bordersSeasonal labor and povertyTransformation through educationFamily bonds

Legacy

Francisco Jiménez is renowned for autobiographical works based on his experience as a migrant child, significantly impacting U.S. Latino literature and education. His books have been translated and staged internationally and are widely used in educational settings. Scholarships and a school have been established in his and his family's name.

Archives

  • Francisco Jiménez Papers, Santa Clara University

In Popular Culture

  • Short film 'The Unbroken Sky' and stage adaptations (performed including at Edinburgh Fringe)
  • Featured on Univision and Telemundo

Trivia

  • He served as a professor at Santa Clara University and is Professor Emeritus.
  • A school in Santa Maria, California is named the Roberto and Dr. Francisco Jiménez Elementary School in honor of him and his late brother.
  • His four-book series has been included in ALA Booklist's lists of best young adult books.