“Simply written but full of beautiful details, this book should inspire every citizen of our diverse and changing world.” — VOYA In this fourth book in his award-winning memoir series, Francisco Jimenez leaves everything behind in California–a loving family, a devoted girlfriend, and the culture that shaped him–to attend Columbia University in New York City. A moving account of the Latino experience in America, Francisco Jimenez’s work comes alive with telling details about the warmth and resiliency of family and the quest for identity against seemingly impossible odds. Read more Read less * * *  Books with Buzz Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more click to open popover Enter your mobile number or email address below and we’ll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer – no Kindle device required. *  Apple *  Android *  Windows Phone *  Android To get the free app, enter your mobile phone number. ![kcpAppTinyImage]() or  Download to your computer * Mac * Windows 8, 8 RT, 10 and Modern UI * Windows 8 desktop, Windows 7, XP & Vista | Kindle Cloud Reader * Read instantly in your browser —|— * * * ## Frequently bought together *  * + *  * + *  Total price: $23.57 Add all three to Cart Add all three to List Buy the selected items together * This item: Taking Hold: From Migrant Childhood to Columbia University by Francisco Jimenez Paperback $7.99 In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details * Reaching Out by Francisco Jimenez Paperback $7.59 In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details * Breaking Through by Francisco Jimenez Paperback $7.99 In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. FREE Shipping on orders over $25.00. Details * * * ## Customers who viewed this item also viewed Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1 This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. Back 1.  Reaching Out Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 115 Paperback $7.59 2.  Breaking Through Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 301 Paperback $7.99 3.  The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 463 Paperback $13.79 4.  Mas alla de mi Reaching Out Spanish Edition Francisco Jimenez 4.8 out of 5 stars 110 Paperback $7.99 5.  Senderos fronterizos: Breaking Through Spanish Edition Francisco Jimenez 4.8 out of 5 stars 121 Paperback $7.99 6.  Cajas de Carton: Relatos de la Vida Peregrina de un Nino Campesino (Spanish Edition) Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 317 Paperback $6.95 Next * * * ## Customers who bought this item also bought Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1 This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. Back 1.  Reaching Out Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 115 Paperback $7.59 2.  Breaking Through Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 301 Paperback $7.99 3.  The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 463 Paperback $13.79 4.  Mas alla de mi Reaching Out Spanish Edition Francisco Jimenez 4.8 out of 5 stars 110 Paperback $7.99 5.  Senderos fronterizos: Breaking Through Spanish Edition Francisco Jimenez 4.8 out of 5 stars 121 Paperback $7.99 6.  The Circuit Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 463 Hardcover $12.99 Next * * * ## Special offers and product promotions * Amazon Business : For business-only pricing, quantity discounts and FREE Shipping. Register a free business account ## Editorial Reviews ### Review “Simply written but full of beautiful details, this book should inspire every citizen of our diverse and changing world.” — VOYA “From strawberry fields to the Ivory Tower, Santa Clara University professor was a class act.” — San Jose Mercury News “‘Taking Hold’ is an engaging, inspiring account of a migrant worker turned Ivy League graduate.” — New York Daily News “There is a humble sincerity and earnest plainspokenness to Jimenez’s prose. His ingratiating storytelling–who else could make these years of adulthood such a compelling read for teens?–make us root for him to succeed.” — Horn Book Magazine “With characteristic grace and insight, [Jimenez] describes his new life in the grit and crush of Manhattan, the initial alienation of being a misfit among peers…and the strain of missing his family and girlfriend in California.” — Booklist “An eloquent work about overcoming poverty to receive an advanced education.” — School Library Journal ### About the Author Francisco Jim enez emigrated from Tlaquepaque, Mexico, to California, where he worked for many years in the fields with his family. He received both his master’s degree and his Ph.D. from Columbia University and is now the chairman of the Modern Languages and Literature Department at Santa Clara University, the setting of much of his newest novel, Reaching Out. He is the award-winning author of The Circuit , Breaking Through , and La Mariposa. He is also the recipient of the John Steinbeck Award. He lives with his family in Santa Clara, California. * * * ## Product details * Publisher : HMH Books for Young Readers; Illustrated edition (October 17, 2017) * Language: : English * Paperback : 208 pages * ISBN-10 : 1328742091 * ISBN-13 : 978-1328742094 * Reading level : 14 years and up * Lexile measure : 1060L * Grade level : 9 – 12 * Item Weight : 4.8 ounces * Dimensions : 5 x 0.54 x 7 inches * Best Sellers Rank: #162,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) * #5 in Teen & Young Adult 21st Century United States History * #31 in Teen & Young Adult Cultural Heritage Biographies * #58 in Teen & Young Adult Historical Biographies * Customer Reviews: 4.8 out of 5 stars 102 ratings Start reading Taking Hold: From Migrant Childhood to Columbia University on your Kindle in under a minute. Don’t have a Kindle? Get your Kindle here, or download a FREE Kindle Reading App. ## Related video shorts (0) Upload your video  #### Be the first video Your name here * * * * * * ## Customer reviews 4.8 out of 5 stars 4.8 out of 5 102 global ratings 5 star | | 88% —|—|— 4 star | | 6% 3 star | | 4% 2 star | | 2% 1 star 0% (0%) | | 0% How are ratings calculated? To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzes reviews to verify trustworthiness. * * * * * * * * * Top reviews Most recent Top reviews ### Top reviews from the United States #### There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.  Quincy C. 5.0 out of 5 stars Great Addition to Jimenez Series Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2020 Verified Purchase Like Francisco Jimenez’s first two books, The Circuit and Breaking Through, Taking Hold is another fascinating telling of Jimenez’s journey through life in the U.S. While I would rate the first two books of his series higher than Taking Hold, Taking Hold is a still worthwhile read of Jimenez’s experience in college in the 60’s. If you’re looking at this book and have not yet read The Circuit and Breaking Through, stop now and read those two books first. Read more 3 people found this helpful Helpful Comment Report abuse  Barb 5.0 out of 5 stars … have now read ALL of Francisco’s books and have loved everyone of them Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2015 Verified Purchase I have now read ALL of Francisco’s books and have loved everyone of them. His writing style reminds me of John Steinbeck because of the easy flow of his words. I especially like the way he relates to his life when he was younger and how it relates to his life in each of the books he has currently written. The pictures he has included in the last 3 books let the reader see who he is talking about. I found this very helpful when I was teaching his books. My students then could see who they were reading about. I am now waiting for the audio book to come out so I can add it to my collection. Prof. Jimenez is a very quiet unassuming person who carries a big stick in the literary world as far as I am concerned and one I am proud to know. My hats off to you for showing young poor people they can do it also if they put their minds to it. Read more 4 people found this helpful Helpful Comment Report abuse  Julie A. Drew 4.0 out of 5 stars Who’s the Target Audience? Reviewed in the United States on October 31, 2015 Verified Purchase Not sure anything could measure up to the first book, which I have read aloud to classes of children, and read with my upper level adult ESL students. Jimenez’ simple writing style doesn’t quite support the adult story well; I’m not sure who the target audience is. The observations don’t go quite deep enough for an adult reader, but I am not convinced this would hold the interest of child or middle school readers. I do love his earlier books, however, and they’ve been inspirational for many young and older students I’ve known. Read more Helpful Comment Report abuse  Robin 5.0 out of 5 stars a great quick and inspiring read Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2015 Verified Purchase I started reading this series because my son was reading it in school and I wanted to be able to discuss it with him. I quickly got hooked and had to read all the books. It is a great story and a timeless story. Immigrants before and since the time of the authors family have been faced with the same struggles and discriminations. This book reveals those difficulties in a straightforward non sensationalized way that allows the reader to enter his world and see the good and the bad. It has been a wonderful book to read and discuss with both of my sons. The difficulties faced by the author and his family spark conversation about social justice, and his hard work and accomplishments inspire and motivate us all to do more. I highly recommend this whole series of books. Read more 2 people found this helpful Helpful Comment Report abuse  Nancy Wood 5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn’t put the book down! Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2018 Verified Purchase Wonderful read! The author is compassionate and his life story is so interesting. I couldn’t put the book down. My husband also read after I did, and he was impressed as well. I want to read more from this author. I’ve read 3 books, and hope he writes a lot more. Read more One person found this helpful Helpful Comment Report abuse  George J. Barata 5.0 out of 5 stars A Migrant Success Story Reviewed in the United States on January 20, 2020 Verified Purchase A good companion book to the three-book trilogy that took readers from migrant childhood border crossing to university professor. A good introduction to the trilogy or a good general introduction to the three original volumes. Read more Helpful Comment Report abuse  Nivia Torres 5.0 out of 5 stars Very good Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2019 Verified Purchase Excellent book. Read more Helpful Comment Report abuse  J. Jimenez 5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2018 Verified Purchase Great read, I have read all four books from this author. Read more Helpful Comment Report abuse * * * See all reviews * * * ## What other items do customers buy after viewing this item? Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1 This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. In order to navigate out of this carousel please use your heading shortcut key to navigate to the next or previous heading. Back 1.  Reaching Out Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 115 Paperback $7.59 2.  Breaking Through Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 301 Paperback $7.99 3.  The Circuit: Stories from the Life of a Migrant Child Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 463 Paperback $13.79 4.  Senderos fronterizos: Breaking Through Spanish Edition Francisco Jimenez 4.8 out of 5 stars 121 Paperback $7.99 5.  Mas alla de mi Reaching Out Spanish Edition Francisco Jimenez 4.8 out of 5 stars 110 Paperback $7.99 6.  Cajas de Carton: Relatos de la Vida Peregrina de un Nino Campesino (Spanish Edition) Francisco Jimenez 4.7 out of 5 stars 317 Paperback $6.95 Next There’s a problem loading this menu right now. Learn more about Amazon Prime. 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The 10 Best Teen & Young Adult 21st Century United States History Books list have been recommended not only by normal readers but also by experts.
