Crossing The Wire
Will Hobbs
The Author
Will Hobbs is the award-winning author of many popular adventure stories for young readers. Seven of his novels have been chosen by the American Library Association as Best Books for Young Adults. Hobbs is a graduate of Stanford University and former language arts teacher. He currently lives in Durango, Colorado, with his wife, Jean. Longtime backpackers and river runners, they have spent many years exploring the mountain and canyon settings of Hobbs stories.
Summary
"The end was coming, but I didnt see it coming." In the mountains of central Mexico, fifteen-year-old Victor Flores has been scratching out a living for his family by farming ever since his father died. Days after Victors best friend, Rico, runs away from home to seek a better life in the U.S., Victor learns that he may not be able to sell his corn this year. As his family teeters on the brink of disaster, Victor heads north in an attempt to "cross the wire" into the States, find work, and send money home. Unlike Rico, Victor has no experienced men to travel with and no coyote money to pay the smugglers who sneak illegal workers across the border. He resorts to jumping trains. For a while Victor travels with Julio from Honduras, then the mysterious Miguel, and finally with his childhood friend, Rico. Victors journey is fraught with danger as he faces freezing cold, the scorching heat of the Arizona desert, hunger, and dead ends. Its a gauntlet run by millions attempting to cross the border.
Farming in Central Mexico
Victor is a 15 year-old famer in Central Mexico
Train Hopping
He begins to hop trains to gain access into the US
Border Patrol
Once, he is caught by border patrol and returned to his home land
A Helping Hand
Victor finds his childhood friend Rico
Crossing The Wire
Rico helps Victor reach the US to provide a better life for his family