Jennifer Cervantes has been many things in her life – mother, wife and educational advocate. Now, she can add book author to her list of accomplishments.

The New Mexico State University English Instructor signed a publishing contract with Chronicle Publishers for her middle grade novel Tortilla Sun, due out in spring 2010.

Tortilla Sun is a tender, magical story about Isa Roybal, a 12-year-old girl, who with just one wish and a peso, is soon caught up in the foreign world of her own culture, from patron saints and soulful food to the curious and magical blessings Nana gives her tortillas. Throughout the book, Jennifer weaves tales of family relationships and family struggles.

“This book is based on one character’s experience of the Hispanic culture. There are so many examples of the Hispanic experience that are never told in books. With that said, the beauty, enchantment and magic in the customs and traditions offer the most amazing backdrop,” Jennifer says. Immersing herself in the writing came easy to Jennifer, an avid reader who received her master’s degree in Rhetoric and Professional Communication. “I’ve always been a reader. Escaping into a world someone else created has always been fascinating to me.”

Because of her passion for reading, Jennifer sees her role as more than an author. She sees herself as someone who contributes to literacy efforts by engaging reluctant readers.

As the mother of three girls, Alexandra, 15, Isabella, 13, and Juliana, 10, and wife to State Representative Joseph Cervantes, Jennifer doesn’t have to look far to find something that intrigues her – she is a creative thinker and a passionate woman.

“With three kids it can get chaotic, but we like that. We like energy,” Jennifer says. “I find myself, as a mother, being as resourceful as I can. I do everything I can to expand their minds and their spirit and their physical well-being.”

Because education is so important to her and Joseph, Jennifer spends a great deal of time involved in her daughters’ education and within the schools. When she is not taking them to soccer practice, assisting with homework and attending school events, Jennifer is continually learning, as she did while becoming a published author.

“I love to learn. I hope I am learning until the day I die,” she says, noting that writing and publishing a book didn’t happen overnight. “I didn’t sit down and think ‘I am going to write a novel today.’ Each step led me to another step.”

Once Jennifer completed her book, she looked for a literary agent, signing on with one only a few weeks after sending out a query. The young adult writer is currently writing her second book with support from her agent and publisher.

Through it all, Joseph has offered support. The couple married in 1993 and, while raising a family and planning a variety of family vacations that the couple used to teach their daughters about the world around them, Joseph served as Doña Ana County Commissioner from 1995 to 2001 and four terms as State Representative.

“We have the kind of marriage where we support each other’s goals and dreams,” Jennifer says of Joseph, who is also an attorney with his own private practice. “He works hard at everything he pursues and whether it is his clients or constituents, they will get 110 percent from him. It’s one of the things I appreciate so much about him. Not just in emotional support but also in our community efforts; we lean on each other and support one another’s efforts 100 percent and see one of our primary roles as parents as teaching our children how to give back to their community.”

Helping is an attribute Jennifer always has. Providing support for her family is not her only focus. In an effort to align what students are learning in high school with what they need to know for college, Jennifer created the New Mexico English Teacher Exchange in 2007.

“NMSU and LCPS English instructors co-create and collaborate on assignments to help prepare students for English 111 at NMSU. Essentially, they are getting a college experience while still in high school,” Jennifer says.

Jennifer, with all the passion and creativity that could be found within one woman, is every bit as passionate as the characters in her book. For that, the community and many young readers are lucky to have her.