Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter
by Aida Salazar
illustrated by Molly Mendoza
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Jovita Wore Pants
The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter
By Aida Salazar; illustrated by Molly Mendoza
Informational Resources:
Author Information:
A Conversation with Author Aida Salazar:
A Conversation with Author Aida Salazar | On Our Minds
Author Aida Salazar on the Van Show:
Author Aida Salazar on The Van Show
Illustrator Information:
Molly Mendoza & Collaborators Paint Open Signal's New Mural (1:17):
Molly Mendoza & Collaborators Paint Open Signal's New Mural - May 2017
No Brow Press’ Molly Mendoza Feature:
Activities & Resources:
Jovita
Jovita Valdovinos: La Villita Jalpa Zac.
Mexico
Mexican clothing in the year 1917:
https://www.tota.world/article/690/
Mexico: A Revolution in Art, 1910-1940
https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/article/mexico-a-revolution-in-art
A Sliver of Mexico’s “Mother Mountain Range”
Mexican Revolution and the Cristero War
Cristero rebels defeat Federal soldiers in battle for Juarez / Colonel Charles Lindenbergh (1:20)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIoWohGFZi0
Mexican Revolution
ADELITAS: Women of the Mexican Revolution
https://pochtecagallery.com/blogs/news/adelitas-women-of-the-mexican-revolution
Mexico: Confrontation Between Church and State
https://www.indigenousmexico.org/articles/mexico-confrontation-between-church-and-state
MakerSpace Activities:
Make a Paper Horse that Walks
https://frugalfun4boys.com/paper-horse-that-walks/
Using paper and markers or colored pencils, design an outfit that would be useful in battle.
Straw Weaving
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es9TEyuRJAs
Using legos, design the Sierra de Morones mountains that guided Jovita home after escaping from the Mexican government soldiers.
Discussion Questions:
This story is based on true events. Explain what “based on” means and if that means every part of the story is known to be fact.
Listen to the title of the book and tell us what you think pants have to do with being a Mexican freedom fighter.
In the beginning of the story, Jovita dreams of wearing pants like her brothers. Why do you think she wasn’t allowed to?
What does it feel like when others are allowed to do things you aren’t?
Jovita’s favorite thing to do was explore outside with her brothers and ride her horse. If you lived on a ranch, what would be the first fun thing you did?
When the Mexican Revolution happened, Jovita’s father and brothers joined the war and Jovita was left behind. How do you think she was feeling then?
When Jovita, her sisters, and her Abuela came home from running errands one day, their house had been burned down to ashes. Why did the Mexican government soldiers want to hurt Jovita’s family so much?
Jovita took charge, moved her family to a cave, and formed a plan. Because Jovita knew the countryside so well, how do you think that helped them at this moment?
How did taking care of her family in hard times prove that Jovita would make a great soldier?
Even though Jovita’s father would not let her fight in the war, she took the opportunity to memorize his strategies. How do you think this would help her in the long run?
When Jovita was captured by Mexican government soldiers, she never once gave up information about her father. What do you think helped her stay so strong?
After Jovita’s brothers and father were killed by the Mexican government, she knew it was her time to act. What do you think Jovita did?
After Jovita cut her hair, dressed in men’s clothing, and started going by the name Juan, she was ready for battle. How do you think her fellow soldiers would have treated her if they found out she was really a woman?
Jovita led her peasant army in many battles against the government. Because they knew the land so well, how do you think that helped them in the battles?
After six long years of battle, Jovita thought it was time to peacefully surrender to the government. How do you think she knew it was time to finally end the war?
Word of Jovita’s courage spread across Mexico and she even had a song written about her life. What do you think she was feeling at that moment? Pride, sorrow, maybe both?
After all this time, Jovita was finally free to wear pants. What influence do you think this had on other women in Mexico at the time?
At the end of the story, the author shares real photos of Jovita. How does she look similar to how you imagined and how does she look different?
In the author’s note, she reveals that the real Jovita was one of her great-aunts. If you could write a story about a family member or grown up you admire, who would it be about?
Book Talk Teasers:
Read the reader’s theater for Jovita Wore Pants by Aida Salazar and Molly Mendoza.
Watch the book trailer on the Texas Bluebonnet Award website.
Read Alikes:
Anderson, Beth. Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, patriot soldier. Disguising herself as a man and struggling to keep her identity a secret, spirited 18-year-old Deborah Sampson enlists in George Washington's Continental Army to fight for her country, where she finds her true purpose. (NoveList Plus)
Deng, Sally. Warrior princess: the story of Khutulun. A story based on the life and legend of Khutulun, Warrior Princess is an inspiring tale of a princess who realizes that sometimes the best way to serve one’s community is to stay true to oneself and defy their expectations, brought to life by Sally Deng’s lush, sweeping paintings and additional backmatter about Khutlun’s life. (Novelist Plus)
Dobbs, Alda P. The Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna. Based on a true story, the tale of one girl's perilous journey to cross the U.S. border and lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution. (NoveList Plus)
Otheguy, Emma. Marti’s song for freedom = Marti y sus versos por la libertad. A bilingual biography of Jose Marti, who dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty for all men and women, Includes author's note, afterword, and author's sources. (NoveList Plus)
Reviews:
Booklist (February 15, 2023 (Vol. 119, No. 12))
Grades 1-4. 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.
School Library Journal starred (February 1, 2023)
Gr 2-5-A gorgeous picture book about a groundbreaking woman who fought for gender equality and made a mark on Mexican history. Told by the subject's great niece and based on her memoir, this biography centers around Jovita Valdovinos, a young woman who longed to wear pants and follow in her brothers' and father's footsteps as they revolted against the socialist Mexican government that took away citizens' right to practice their religion freely. The daring and courageous teenager went against her family's wishes, cut off her hair, wore pants, renamed herself Juan, and led fellow peasants in the Cristeros War (1926-29). This telling hits the perfect balance of lively and lyrical, giving readers the sense that this larger-than-life legend is worthy of awe and celebration. The empowering message that young people should cast gender-limiting stereotypes and barriers aside to do what's right will feel revelatory for readers. Mendoza's magnificent artwork was composed using digital brushes and color; bright, jewel-toned images seem to leap off the page, perfectly matching Valdovinos's sweeping story. Readers will be able to feel the wind on their faces as she gallops on her horse and accomplishes great feats. Back matter includes a more detailed account of Valdovinos's life, author and artist's notes, and archival photos. VERDICT Purchase this outstanding picture book biography for all nonfiction collections.-Shelley M. Diaz © Copyright 2023. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.