comment on theme

The book is called The Circuit because the family's life is literally a circuit or cycle of moving. The family must move from migrant worker camp to camp to find work each season. As the season changes, the family moves again. Thus, they are migrant worker gypsies or wanderers. Unlike gypsies, Francisco and his family wander with the intent of work. The wandering occurs when the weather changes, so the family must live according to the seasons. It is not only Francisco's family who are wanderers, but the entire illegal migrant worker population must suffer this life as well. Therefore, these workers always must start over and create a new life every few months or so. This is taxing on the workers and their families because they cannot lay down roots or build upon a foundation. They must pack and move all the time.