REVIEW OF JOVITA WORE PANTS: THE STORY OF A MEXICAN FREEDOM FIGHTER

 

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Salazar, Aida. Illustrated by Molly Mendoza. JOVITA WORE PANTS: THE STORY OF A MEXICAN FREEDOM FIGHTER. New York City, NY: Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc. ISBN 9781338283419.


B. PLOT SUMMARY
Jovita is a little girl growing up on a rancho in rural Mexico in the 1910’s. As Jovita is growing up, the Mexican federal government begins enforcing policies that many people disagree with. Jovita’s father and brothers join a group opposed to these policies, called the Cristeros. At first, she is not allowed to join the group; but, later, her father allows her to accompany him. Later, the Mexican federal government captures her and tries to get her to give them information about the Cristeros. She refuses to help them and escapes. As time passes, the Mexican federal government kills her father and brothers. Angry at the federal government for doing this, she joins the Cristeros to avenge her father and brothers. She cuts her hair, dresses like a man to better fight, and renames herself “Juan”. With her new identity, she leads the Cristeros revolutionaries against the federal government. She led a successful war against them; and, after six years, the government offered a truce to “Juan.” He/she took it, and surrendered himself/herself to the government.      

 

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
This book tells the story of Mexican freedom fighter, Jovita Valdovinos. The setting is rural Mexico in the early 20th century. The story starts with Jovita living on a rancho with her family. She is familiar with both the domesticated plants and animals on the rancho, as well as the indigenous plants and animals, such as scorpions, coyotes, wolves, rattlesnakes, and “cenzontles”, the “mockingbirds.” She wants to be able to wear pants, but is required to wear the big skirts that are expected of girls and women in the Latino culture of the time.

The background of the story centers around the struggle of many Mexicans against the Mexican federal government. The Mexicans fighting against the government believed that “the government had made laws that took power away from the Catholic Church and prevented people from practicing religion freely. That is how the Cristeros revolutionaries got their name. The government called the revolutionaries “Cristeros” because the revolutionaries were fighting for their right as Catholics to worship Christ (“Crist”).

Jovita’s grandmother is often mentioned in the story. Jovita’s abuela is in charge of raising the children in Jovita’s family because Jovita’s mother died when Jovita was one year old.

When Jovita’s father finally agrees to let her join him in the field as they struggle against the Mexican federal government, he still refuses to allow her to fire a gun, nor does he allow her to wear pants. The Latino social and cultural traditions against allowing such things are too strong. 

Toward the end of the book, it is mentioned that a “corrido” was composed in her honor. Corridos are ballads composed to honor people and events. While I cannot attest to the veracity of this particular claim, I can say with reliability that corridos were, and are a famous part of Mexican culture from the 1800’s through today. If this is a bit of poetic license taken by the author, it nonetheless fits well into the entire cultural milieu of Mexico. 

The illustrations in the book are beautiful and evocative of the story. The clothing worn by the characters in the book are accurate to the culture and era of Mexico of the time. The flowing, billowy skirts worn by the women in the illustrations reflect the storyline and theme of the book. The transition in the book from skirts to pants are drawn with care by the illustrator.  

The back of the book has additional information that puts the children’s story into historical context. The story is based on true events that will invite further research by readers interested in these little-known, but important events in Mexican history.

   

D. AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
Caldecott Honor Winner (2024)

Tejas Star Reading List (2024)

Bluebonnet Master List Title (2025)

International Literacy Association Notable Books For A Global Society Award List (2024)

California Eureka! Nonfiction Children’s Book Award – Honor/Silver Medal (2023)

School Library Journal: *Starred Review* “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 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. VERDICT Purchase this outstanding picture book biography for all nonfiction collections.”

Kirkus: *Starred Review* “A young Mexican freedom fighter proves that traditional gender roles aren’t important—heart is. Born in 1911, Jovita Valdovinos was just 14 years old when the resistance that would later become the Cristero Revolution began in her rural community. The newly installed socialist government was cracking down on religious freedom, and many of Mexico’s poor were beginning to fight back. Jovita longed to support her father and two brothers in the fight, but her father wouldn’t permit it. Eventually, he allowed her to accompany him as an observer, but she would not be allowed to fight. Jovita learned strategies as well as the topography of the land on these trips, and she still yearned to become a soldier. The years brought devastating loss and hardship, and Jovita became resolved to lead the revolution. Cutting her hair, donning pants, and adopting the name Juan, Jovita charged into battle at the head of a peasant army. An afterword contains a more detailed biography of Jovita Valdovinos—a distant relative of Salazar’s—and her incredible heroism. Gracefully told, with deft use of figurative language, the story is mesmerizing, bringing to life this chapter in history by focusing on one incredibly relatable, resolute individual. The illustrations are replete with vivid hues and bold brushstrokes that convey energy and movement.”

 


E. CONNECTIONS
This story helps the reader learn about one of the lesser known events in Mexican history.

Here are two more picture books about Mexican history:

Palacios, Argentina. VIVA MEXICO!: A STORY OF BENITO JUAREZ AND CINCO DE MAYO. ISBN 978-0811472142.

Macmillan, Bonnie M. SIX HEROES OF MEXICO. ISBN 978-1935914952. 

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