Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter

By Aida Salazar

Illustrated by Molly Mendoza 

 

 

Publisher: Scholastic Press (March 7, 2023)

Language: ‎English

Hardcover: 48 pages

ISBN-10: 1338283413

ISBN-13: ‎978-1338283419

 

 

The remarkable true story of Jovita Valdovinos, a Mexican revolutionary who disguised herself as a man to fight for her rights!

 

Jovita dreamed of wearing pants! She hated the big skirts Abuela made her wear. She wanted to scale the tallest mesquite tree on her rancho, ride her horse, and feel the wind curl her face into a smile

 

When her father and brothers joined the Cristero War to fight for religious freedom, Jovita wanted to go, too. Forbidden, she defied her father’s rules – and society’s – and found a clever way to become a trailblazing revolutionary, wearing pants!

 

This remarkable true story about a little-known maverick Mexican heroine is brought vividly to life by her great-niece and Américas Award–winner Aida Salazar, and Eisner Award–honoree Molly Mendoza.

 

 

Review

 

 “A young Mexican freedom fighter proves that traditional gender roles aren’t important―heart is. Gracefully told, with deft use of figurative language, the story is mesmerizing . . . focusing on one incredibly relatable, resolute individual. The illustrations are replete with vivid hues and bold brushstrokes that convey energy and movement. Bravery and determination prevail in this inspiring tale of unconventional leadership.” ― Kirkus Reviews, starred review

 

 “A gorgeous picture book about a groundbreaking woman who fought for gender equality and made a mark on Mexican history. . . . 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 . . . perfectly match[es] 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.” ― School Library Journal, starred review

 

“Salazar’s exquisite prose shows how these clandestine escapades enriched and strengthened Valdovinos. . . . The book deftly captures Valdovinos’ dynamic metamorphosis into a warrior in a series of stunning spreads. . . . Mendoza’s illustrations are a whirlwind of color and energy.” ― BookPage, starred review

 

“The illustrations are bold, dramatic, and dynamic, featuring fiery and colorful drawings which complement the text well. Young readers will be captivated by Jovita's actions and the story of her life. . . . This is an exciting adventure story and will make for a good read aloud for Women's History Month or a study of Mexican history.” ― School Library Connection, recommended

 

“Painterly brushwork in Mendoza’s ink and digital illustrations emphasizes boldness and movement with strong colors that swirl and blend together, accompanying poetic text.” ― Publishers Weekly

 

 

Aida Salazar is an award-winning author and arts activist whose writings for adults and children explore issues of identity and social justice. She is the author of the middle-grade verse novels The Moon Within (International Latino Book Award Winner), Land of the Cranes (Américas Award Winner), the picture book anthology, In the Spirit of a Dream, and the picture book biography Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter. She is a founding member of Las Musas, a Latinx kidlit debut author collective. Her short story "By the Light of the Moon" was adapted into a ballet production by the Sonoma Conservatory of Dance and is the first Xicana-themed ballet in history. She lives with her family of artists in a teal house in Oakland, California.

 

Molly Mendoza is an American illustrator and comics artist who has been captivated by the relationships that she has built with friends, family, and foes alike over the course of her life. Molly sets out to emulate those relationships through her chaotic yet rhythmic style to make some dang-good drawings. Alongside personal/observational narrative, Molly enjoys making images of space travel, plants, ladies, and small dogs. Frequently she can be found working on editorial projects, making comics/zines, and eating hot dogs. Molly is a BFA graduate from the Pacific Northwest College of Art. She has gone on to develop a rich personal art practice, self-publishing numerous comics, as well as working with clients such as The New York Times and The Atlantic. She wrote and illustrated the Ignatz and Eisner Honor-winning graphic novel Skip (Nobrow) and illustrated Freedom We Sing by Amyra León (Flying Eye Books). Molly currently lives in Portland, Oregon. Visit her at mollymendoza.com.