  | Jovita wore pants : the story of a Mexican freedom fighter Author: Salazar, Aida | |
| Price: $23.98 | ||
Summary:
When her father and brothers joined the Cristeros War to fight for the right to practice religion, Jovita Valdovinos wanted to help. She wasn't allowed to fight, but that didn't stop her from observing how her father strategized and familiarizing herself with the terrain. When tragedy struck, she did the only thing that felt right to her--cut her hair, donned a pair of pants, and continued the fight, commanding a battalion who followed her without question.
| Illustrator: | Mendoza, Molly |
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| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: LG Reading Level: 5.10 Points: .5 Quiz: 519767 |
Awards:
Caldecott Honor, 2024
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (+) (02/01/23)
School Library Journal (+) (00/02/23)
Booklist (+) (06/01/23)
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 02/15/2023 This illustrated history follows Jovita Valdovinos, an early twentieth-century Mexican freedom fighter, who takes matters into her own hands after she isn’t permitted to join the Cristero War with her father and brothers. Jovita is supposed to stay home and wear skirts (among other expectations), but all she wants is to ride her stallion and race her brothers—all while wearing pants! When soldiers burn down her house, leaving her abuela and sisters with nothing, Jovita takes a stand, cutting her hair, calling herself Juan, and riding into battle dressed in the outfit she dreamed of. Mendoza’s vibrant, dreamlike paintings capture the spirit and courage of Jovita as well as the natural beauty of the desert and campo landscapes depicted here. The text does not shy away from tough historical events, such as death of family members or Jovita’s torture and capture, but it focuses on Jovita’s persistence and passion for being a soldier. Salazar notes her personal connection to relative Jovita in a closing note, which provides more information on Jovita’s life after the war. - Copyright 2023 Booklist.
