Overcoming Stereotypes: A Journey in 'Breaking Through'

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In Francisco Jimenez’s novel, Breaking Through, over the course of middle school and high school, Francisco becomes a confident, experienced person, who is more exposed to the world and it’s views due to interaction with his school friends and family members. At the beginning, Francisco portrays a scared and naive young person who is not familiar with the stereotypical views towards his own race. For example, Francisco becomes friends with a Caucasian girl named Peggy, she invites him over. When her parents ask Francisco his race and find he is Mexican, they act uneasy and tense. Peggy’s parents forbid her from remaining friends with Francisco. Resulting in Francisco feeling hurt and confused as to why Peggy will not talk to him. Francisco

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