Crossing, The: Bring-It-All-Together Book: Amazon.ca: Gina Erickson M.A., Kelli C. Foster Ph.D., Gifford Russell: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

Paulsen's latest novel is as ugly as a bad dream. Unfortunately, it's not a dream, but a potent expression of the brutal realities of a bridge that joins the golden highways of "el norte" (the U.S.) and the mud streets of neighboring Mexico. Young Manny wants to cross the bridge to the land of dreams and opportunity. Sargeant Locke, in turn, crosses the border from Fort Bliss, Tex., for a night in Juarez. There he drinks himself into a "brain dead" state to keep the ghosts of departed friends from coming to visit. Somewhere between misery and ugliness these two meet; both of them, on the periphery of normal living, are joined in a fateful, violent act that provides one with life and hope, and the other the chance to give, without giving up. Paulsen overburdens young readers with the harsh facts of a grown-up's perspective. But any work by such a proficient writer, who invokes a powerful sense of the tragic in readers young and old, is welcomewelcome indeed. A Richard Jackson Book. Ages 11-13.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 8-12 Manny is a small Mexican street boy in Juarez, an orphan who survives by using his wits and his speed against other desperate boys, against the evil street men who would kill or sell him, against starvation and death. Manny has only one chance to survive, and that means crossing the river into the United States, an incredibly dangerous undertaking for a small boy alone. Robert is a sergeant in the Army. His whole life consists of being a good officer during the day and surviving his haunted nights by drinking himself into oblivion. Robert is haunted by dead friends, gruesomely killed in war. Manny and Robert meet when the sergeant is being sick behind a bar and Manny tries to lift his wallet. Manny doesn't succeed, but this is the beginning of a relationship, brief and brutal, which leads to the sergeant's death and Manny's chance for survival. (Readers may question what language is being spoken, as it is made clear that Robert speaks no Spanish and Manny knows only enough English to hold a ``limited conversation.'' However, it shouldn't matter, as the two have little verbal communication.) Paulsen creates a stark, moving portrait of Mexican poverty and street life, of the desperation facing those who attempt ``the crossing.'' Like the relationship between Robert and Manny, this book is brief and brutal but ends on a note of hope. The short length and simple writing style should give this book special appeal for high-school students who are reluctant readers. Rosie Peasley, Sylvan Union Sch . Dist . , Modesto, Calif.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Customer Reviews

19 Reviews

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4.2 out of 5 stars (19 customer reviews)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books for junior high students, May 5 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Crossing (Paperback)

As a homeschooling parent, I used this book several years ago in teaching literature to my daughter. My sons are now 7 and I will be sure they read it as well. Beyond the basic story, there are many social and psychological themes to explore within the book. Manny's daily life consists of scounging for food and shelter and avoiding the many other poverty-sticken people who would eagerly use and abuse him for their own gain. Does poverty necessarily create at atmosphere of lack of respect for others? Despite the grinding struggle to survive, Manny constantly dreams of a better life. When he shares his dream with Maria, she tells Manny, "You have nothing. You will never have anything." Have many people in poverty grown to accept their fate in life and given up trying for something better? Why do people who have no hope of anything better try to discourage those who do? What is it that makes some continue to strive and others complacent about their lot in life? The sergeant is a whole psychological study in himself. Why must he keep people at a distance? There is very little conversation between the sergeant and Manny, just a few small acts of kindness the sergeant offers. Why does he offer this to Manny? Is this as close as he can ever be to anyone? Why? Is it his war experiences or his drinking that is responsible for his lack of ability to get close to people? Would experiencing the same things the sergeant experienced make most people end up like him? Why does he make the ultimate sacrifice to protect Manny? What happens to Manny after the book? Will his struggles really be over? I've read several of Paulsen's books and enjoyed all of them, but The Crossing seems to offer so much insight into the world of poverty. Truly a masterpiece for the young adolescent.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A good book about struggling and trying to overcome it, Nov 17 2000

By

jasenao (Dothan, Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Crossing (Paperback)

"The Crossing" is a great book about a Mexican boy named Manny who will do anything to try and make the crossing from Mexico into the United States so he can get him a job and maybe even buy some stuff for himself. Gary Paulsen seems to tell a realistic story of how a beggar's life is because all through the book, it tells about Manny's ideas of how to get money or food from people and how he thinks he should beg. But Manny is fourteen now and he wants to try and make the crossing to start a life for himself. Manny meets a Sergeant named Robert Locke, who Manny sees as somebody different. Manny must find a way to make the crossing over the border without being caught.

"The Crossing," like most Gary Paulsen books, is a good story. It's about struggling and how to overcome the struggle and survive. It doesn't ever get boring and you'll want to read on the whole time until you finish the book. I recommend anybody to read "The Crossing."

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Crossing is a great book. Gary Paulsen astonished me!, Mar 6 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Crossing (Paperback)

The Crossing was about an orphan named Manuel Bustos. Manny was his nickname. He was a poor Mexican boy. Manny lived on the streets and slept in a cardboard box. He had no time for heroes. He needed to scrap, fight boys bigger than him for money. The two most important things to Manny were to survive and to find a way to get across the border. As part of Manny's daily routine, he would go to the bridge by the Rio Grande and watch the " turistas," tourists throw coins to him and the rest of the beggers. When Manny catches money he has to run fast before the bigger boys try to beat him up and steal his money. One day when Manny was being chased by the bigger boys he went into an alley behind a club called "Club Congo Tiki." Manny out ran them and hid in the alley. When Manny was in the alley a drunk man named Sergeant Robert S. Locke went into the alley and started vomiting. He had to much to drink. Manny slowly tried to reach for the Sergeants wallet. Manny was taking advantage of the weak and drunk Sergeant. Manny stole the wallet and started running with it. Robert chased after him. At one point Robert caught up to him and grabbed Manny on the arm. Then a police officer was walking by and he saw Robert holding Manny tightly. The officer said, " What's going on here?" Robert was a little spaced out but he remembered seeing Manny on the streets. Robert replied as, " Nothing officer." The officer left and Manny thanked Robert. Robert then got his wallet back. That was the beginning of Robert and Manny's friendship. Robert and Manny became close friends. Robert let Manny follow him around, eat with him, and be his friend. Both Robert and Manny needed each other as friends. Manny had no one to pay for him or to talk to. Robert was a dried up, drunk, shy, and lonely person.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars the Crossing
In the Crossing by Gary Paulsen there where many interesting points. Manny got lots of money and food It was interesting because he was poor and he worked hard. Read more

Published on Jun 18 2004

5.0 out of 5 stars The Crossing by Gary Paulsen Review.
The Crossing
By
Gary Paulsen
Review

This book, "The Crossing," is about a boy that lives in the streets of Juarez in Mexico, where the story also takes place... Read more