Josefina is pleased and proud when her godmother, Tía Magdalena, asks for her help with springtime chores. Tía Magdalena is a respected healer in the village, and Josefina hopes to become a healer just like her someday. Then one day at Tía Magdalena’s house, Josefina makes an awful mistake that shatters her hopes. She’s sure Tía Magdalena will never teach her now! But when Josefina visits her Pueblo Indian friend Mariana, a terrifying adventure shows her just how much she’s already learned.
Paperback: 80 pages 6.125" W x 8.5" H Ages 8 and up
Kirkus Reviews: In this entry in one strand of the American Girls series (Meet Josefina, 1997, etc.), Josefina is approaching her tenth birthday and has decided she wants to be a healer like her godmother, Tía Magdalena. Participating in family and community activities—raising a baby goat, helping to replaster the church, and helping Tía Magdalena—take up much of her time. Near the end she is given the opportunity to prove her ability as a healer when her friend, Mariana, is bitten by a rattlesnake. This cheerful story is packed with historical tidbits. The adorable baby goat will appeal to the target audience, and although the story can be bland, it is well paced, and enhanced by lovely realistic illustrations. (September 1, 1998)
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