I enjoyed this somewhat sad book about a young, homeless, orphan named Manny who lives in the dangerous streets of Juarez, Mexico, and dreams of crossing into the United States. It was also about an army sergeant who has seen a lot of war and is scarred deeply by it and he comes to Juarez to drink and forget. this teaches me to never take anything for granted~theresa :)

REQUIRED AUTHOR
Gary Paulsen's short stories are always enjoyable to read, however this one wasn't my favorite. I found it a little painful to read because it was so abstract and not at all like his other works. Manny is a Mexican homeless boy who wants to cross the border into the USA but he can't do it effectively and to end it, the reader doesn't even know if he makes it or not! It was disappointing.
But Manny meets a Sergeant and the two become kind of friends through their mutual misunderstanding. Robert is an alcoholic only for the purpose of becoming brain dead. This theme is not encouraging to YA readers. It almost seems like Paulsen is encouraging alcoholism or negligence for health. That was the most disturbing part of the whole book.
I gave it four stars because it was written well and it is a fast read. But the content is not acceptable for YA readers.

This is a good book for anyone who wants to see what happens for real. Outside of the United States. This is a very interesting book because it has the stories of two people. A soldier on duty on a border fort between Texas and Mexico. The other character is a poor young Mexican boy. Who is a orphan and dreams of crossing the border for a better life. There is a picture of the bridge on the front because that is the bridge because other children would be down there screaming and tourist to throw down money to them. Than at one part of the book both of the characters meet. Than the book gets way better. I also like the writing style of this author because he does well as being the two characters. Switching back and forth between charcters was a great feature. You should really try out this book.

This book was rather heavy, not in terms of reading difficulty but more on the content - a least, I thought so. I appreciated how in the middle of the heaviness, the author highlights the growth of one of the characters; the story, it seems, is partially about his decision in the end and how he got there. It is a raw book with honest, stark descriptions; there were some places I did not appreciate, particularly one scene that took the details too far for me. Yet overall, it was very moving and intense, giving the reader an honest glimpse into the hearts of a hurting man and an outcast young boy.

I think this book is a great book. I just can beleive people really felt so unconferable with it that they banned it! If you like realistic ficion then this is the book for you.

7 Copies

I read a lot of middle school books, and this one is not middle school appropriate. A drunken Vietnam soldier who frequents strip clubs is not for middle school students. This would have made a better adult book if it had been fleshed out more. It is poorly written, but I am finding Paulsen's early works poorly written. Yes, even Hatchet! I guess at the time, this was riding on the coattails of the success of Hatchet.

tGary Paulsen, the well known, critically acclaimed novelist has done it again. I haven’t read many of his books, but the books of his that I have read are always worth it. This one follows suit, and is a definite quick read that you’ll love just as I did. As fourteen year old Manny, an orphan living on the streets of Juarez, Mexico fights to live everyday. He realizes that there is another world -- a new beginning on the other side… of the crossing. One day venturing near the Rio Grande in an attempt to enter America, he meets and old, stone cold man. This man is Sergeant Robert S. Locke, and he’s struggling through life as well. He is scarred by countless brutal battles in the war, and can’t live a day without remembering what gave up and the people he lost back then. Although Locke is as cold as they come, he finds relief in Manny, and they team up for one singular goal: to get to the other side.
tI myself loved this book. It was an easy read, and for the most part, kept my attention throughout the entire story. I struggle with keeping my attention on books, but I had no issue with flipping to the next page on this one! Although, the beginning of the book seems a bit disorienting and can distract from what is happening. It also felt like it was a bit rushed. There is a lot that happens in the couple of days or 100 pages. This book could benefit greatly if it were more elaborate and detailed in some areas. But as far as complaints go, those are my only two. You can expect the story to go by fast since it is only 100 pages; I finished it in a day. The ending was by far the best part, and for as short of a time you have to get to know the two, you become attached to the characters very easily. This book would best suit someone looking for a quick read. You may be a busy person who doesn’t have time to sit down for two hours and read. That’s the reason this book was right for me, anyways. You won’t have trouble focusing, and before you know it, you’ll be upset that there isn’t any more pages to flip. I won’t spoil it, but it is definitely worth the read!

Quite memorable.

the crossing is a very good book it is a little intense but is worth reading. If you don't like reading long books then this is the book for you. It gives you a little glimpse on what is was like for people living in Mexico espeshily if they were poor and did not have much money. Manny is very poor he has no parents and no money he spends most of his time begging and asking for money. Till one day he meets Sargent Locke who will change his life forever. There is a part that is violent that dose describe it but is is worth the read. There are some dry parts but just hang in there it will be worth it in the end.

It was a good bnook it was very interisting. the only problem it had a bad ending

I liked this book but i gave it a 3 because its not my type of genre.