The name of the book I read was called Pacific Crossing, by Gary Soto. The book was published in 1992.

The characters that were often mentioned in the book were Lincoln, Mitsuo, Mr. Ono, Mrs. Ono, and Tony. Tony and Lincoln were best friends in America. Lincoln and Mitsuo became best friends when Lincoln was a foreign student in Tokyo. Mitsuo is Mr. and Mrs. Onoís son. Mr. and Mrs. Ono slowly started becoming Lincoln's second family . The main problem that Lincoln had to face was to tell his second family what it meant to be Mexican-American. He finally solved the conflict by explaining it to them and having a Mexican food feast. Mitsuo helped make the food. It worked out well, but the food didn't. They burnt the tortillas and the beans. All the main characters had a good time though.

The weather affected the story a lot. It was so hot each time Lincoln and Mitsuo went outside to do something. It was actually kind of funny. In the story, they often take breaks to get something to drink because of the heat. I have noticed that every time they take a thirst break, they usually chose coke to drink. Coke is a concentrated drink that parents usually do not want their kids to drink too often.

The book I read had strengths and weaknesses. Some of the strengths were when Mitsuo and Lincoln came back from the long trip that Mitsuo's dad had set up as a joke. I liked that part because I could picture their faces at the time. Another strength was when Tony and Lincoln were on their way to Tokyo. I liked that part because the author made me feel as if I was sitting right next to them and actually see what they are talking about. One of the book's weaknesses was when Lincoln got his hair cut. It reminded me of when I got my hair cut. I have had long hair since the second grade and I am is sixth, so it is hard for me to get my hair cut. I also didnít like the end of the book. The author did not put enough detail at the end so I did not really understand what happened to the main characters.