Ana Montoya is the eldest sister of Josefina Montoya.
Personality and Facts[]
Ana Montoya is twenty years old at the start of the series and the oldest of the Montoya sisters; she is married to Tomás and has two young sons, Juan and Antonio. The family are part of the life at the family rancho, as extended family living together was not only common at the time, but marriage did not necessarily mean moving away from the family house, especially when assisting at rancho life.
Since the death of their mother Maria, Ana has taken on the duties of running the household as the oldest of the daughters, and this has made her worry more, keeps her busy, and feel more stress as she does her best to to live up to her tasks.
Ana gets along with Josefina quite well; she is often maternal towards her, in part because of their age gap. She is quite soft-hearted and can't stop Clara and Francisca's arguments as they pay no mind to her. She is kind-hearted, sweet, and gentle, but very shy and does not like attention to be on her. She means her compliments and praise for her sisters.
When Tiá Dolores comes to the rancho, she helps take some of the pressures off Ana. They relate much like close friends or cousins instead of aunt and niece, due to their close ages.
In the Books[]
Meet Josefina: An American Girl[]
Ana working in the kitchen.
Ana is first seen when she comes out of the house at the rancho. She says Josefina looks like a little bird with her hopping and singing. When Josefina asks where Francisca and Clara are, Ana says that they are fighting over who will carry the washing tub. She is forced to run after Clara and Josefina take off running to the stream; when she and Francisca arrive and are splashed, she scolds gently that they are there to wash the clothes in the baskets, not the ones that are on them. She agrees that it is a good day to wash and that Mamá would say God has sent a good drying day and that Monday is laundry day even in Heaven. When Josefina crosses the log to get her primroses, she warns her to be careful. Josefina teases her by pretending to lose her balance on the way back, and Ana, knowing she is fooling, says that Josefina is shy and sweet in company but playful with her sisters and Josefina teases the life out of her and will make her old before her time--sounding like Abuelito. Ana hopes their grandfather will bring her shoes for Antonio and Juan and asks Josefina what she wants, thinking she would like a surprise. When the goat herd approaches, Ana tries to tell Josefina not to dislike the goats as the herd belongs to the sisters. When Florecita goes straight for Josefina, she tries to shoo her off and suggests that Josefina splash her to get her to go away; when Josefina falls over into the water, she helps her to her feet, asking if she's okay and saying Josefina shouldn't let Florecita bully her.
Ana is working in the kitchen later to prepare for the fandango as the caravan is due that day; this is her first time handling the preparations, and she is very overwhelmed even with help from Carmen. Her hair is frizzled by the head and her face is red; she has to use the back of her wrist to wipe the sweat away from her brow. She sends Josefina to get her some onions from the kitchen garden. When Josefina comes back to say that Papá and Abuelito are on their way to the house, She is close behind Josefina to greet Abuelito, and he kisses all his granddaughters and greets them by name. She is very shocked to see Tía Dolores and Tía Dolores says she is very like her Mamá. She is the first to speak up, offering her aunt and grandfather to come inside and have a drink, apologizing that there has not been a place put aside for Dolores. She goes to listen to the piano playing and thanks Tía Dolores for playing afterwards. Before the fandango she is heard greeting women along with Carmen, and she takes time off from her responsibility to dance with her husband Tomás.
The next day Tía Dolores helps her bake bread. She receives a silk rebozo that she loves, and asks how her aunt knew the perfect gifts to get her, and apologizes that the sisters did not get her gifts. She says that Tía Dolores was a large help and so kind to her little boys. She thinks Tía Dolores won't stay because she has come back to get married and start her own family. When Clara asks her if she will ask Papá to ask Tía Dolores to stay, she say she won't as she might look to be complaining and that asking for her help might mean that she doesn't want to do what's her responsibility. When Josefina suggests they all go together, she doesn't move at first but finally comes with Josefina and Francisca. She is there and disappointed when Tía Dolores's trunk is loaded up, assuming that Papá asked but she said no.
Josefina Learns a Lesson: A School Story[]
Josefina's Surprise: A Christmas Story[]
Happy Birthday, Josefina!: A Springtime Story[]
Josefina Saves The Day: A Summer Story[]
Ana has stayed back at the rancho with her husband and sons while her younger sisters go up to Santa Fe with their father for trading and selling.
Changes for Josefina: A Winter Story[]
Josefina's Song[]
Thanks to Josefina[]
Just Josefina[]
A Reward for Josefina[]
Again, Josefina![]
Ana declines to learn to play the piano, as she does not want the attention that would come with her playing in public among others.
Secrets in the Hills[]
The Glowing Heart[]
Song of the Mockingbird: My Journey with Josefina[]
Trivia[]
- In Happy Birthday! American Girl Ana is illustrated wearing a camisa similar to Josefina's Weaving Outfit. It is similar to the camisa worn by Ana in illustrations in the main six book series and her character portrait, but the embroidery is not exactly the same.
References[]
- ↑ In most Spanish-speaking countries of the time, children carry both the paternal and maternal surname; while Ana is married, she has the right to keep her last name and can choose to append her husband's last name, but it is not stated. See Spanish naming customs on Wikipedia.