Salazar, Aida. Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter. Molly Medoza, Illus.
Scholastic, 03/2023. 48pp. Biography. GRADES 1 – 4. $19.99. 978-1-338-28341-9. OUTSTANDING.
Salazar does an outstanding job with this historical picture book biography of Jovita Valdovinos as a Cristero leader in Mexico in the early twentieth century. The prose is engaging and moves the story along. Mendoza’s artwork is created with sumi ink and composed in Procreate® software using digital brushes and color. The illustrations portray Jovita’s determination. Extensive back matter on Jovita’s life is provided with photographs. An author’s note and an illustrator’s note are also included. Salazar
mentions that the information was taken from Jovita’s memoir, but no bibliographical reference is
provided. An exceptional book that highlights a little-known aspect of Mexican history.
Yesica Hurd—Berkeley Public Library