Meet Josephina, An American Girl
Josefina Montoya is a young Mexican girl living in New Mexico with her extended family. She and her family (including her oldest sister, Ana who is married to Tomas and has two sons, and her two other sisters, vain and headstrong Francisca and practical and sensible Clara) must adapt following the death of their mother before the books and the introduction of their mother's sister, Tía Dolores (who later marries Josefina's widowed father), to the family circle.
Josefina dreams of becoming a healer like her grandmother and is taught in this by her aunt, Magdalena, her father's sister. Josefina has a pet goat named Sombrita. Themes include adjustment to loss, day-to-day life of the Mexican people, and the cultural and societal changes and influences that occurred once Mexico opened trade routes with the US. Josefina's family speaks Spanish and there are Spanish words and phrases in her books which are defined in the glossary.
- Author Valerie Tripp
- My Josefina Montoya pinboard for costume and accessory ideas
- Teacher's Guide to Sunlight and Shadows (PDF)
- Look up the meaning of the name, Josefina
- Christmas Time by Mercedes Godoy
- Nun Dolls Dressed in Habits
- Costume Worn in 1824 Spanish Territories
- Adobe Homes by Sarah Winter Kellogg
- Craft A Horno Oven for Josefina or Kaya
- Collecting For a Josefina Montoya Doll or a Doll from Colonial Latin America
- Colonial Dolls and Toys
Crafting In the Past: What crafts were popular in 1894?
Research Based On Themes Found in Josefina's Books:Online Learning About Mexican American Culture and History:
- Historic Old Town - The heart of Albuquerque
- El Rancho De Las Golondrinas - The Southwest's Premier Living History Museum
- Friends of the Rio Grande Nature Center
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
- The Alamo - The Mission, The Battle, The Legend
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| Heritage New Mexico. |
- Mexicos Journey from Colony To Statehood
- Santa Fe History
- New Mexico History Museum at The Historic Santa Fe Plaza
- A Visitor's Guide to Santa Fe: Places To Stay, Eat & Play
- The Santa Fe National Historic Trail CO, KS, MO, NM, OK
- Audubon New Mexico: Randall Daveky Audubon Center and Sanctuary
- Meet Josefina
- Josefina Learns a Lesson
- Josefina's Surprise
- Happy Birthday, Josefina!
- Josefina Saves The Day
- Changes for Josefina
- Secrets in the Hills
- The Glowing Heart
- Josefina's Song
- Thanks to Josefina
- Again, Josefina!
- A Reward for Josefina
Advanced Reading: Historical Fiction about young women living in Colonial Latin America:
- A Line in The Sand: The Alamo Diary of Lucinda Lawrence: Gonzales, Texas, 1836