Breaking Through- Character Breakdowns
Francisco Jimenez – Main character, narrator, and author
Roberto Jimenez– Francisco’s older brother
Papa Jimenez– Francisco’s father, has a temper, back pain, and lost a finger
Mama Jimenez– Francisco’s mother, one of the few who can calm down papa
Trampita Jimenez– Francisco’s oldest younger brother
Ruben Jimenez– Francisco’s youngest brother
Rorra Jimenez– Francisco’s little sister
Torito Jimenez – Francisco’s brother
Paul – Francisco’s best friend
Peggy – Francisco’s first crush, but her parents reject him because he is Mexican and they force Peggy to stop seeing him.
Mike Nevel – Francisco and Roberto’s boss for the window company
Mary O’neill – owner of Velva’s Freeze and takes the brothers to their first steak dinner
Susan – Roberto’s first girlfriend, but she ends things because her family found out he was Mexican
Ito – Japanese sharecropper who helps the family by giving them work.