THE GIRL WHO WORE PANTS

A glimpse into the life of author and activist Luisa Capetillo (1879-1922).

Growing up in Puerto Rico, Luisa would rather learn history or math than sew with the other girls. She loves to run, play, and climb trees—all of which are tricky to do in a skirt. So Luisa begins wearing an old pair of her father’s pants around town, much to the horror of her peers and elders. Luisa doesn’t care that she stands out; she can finally play unencumbered. As an adult, Luisa spends her time reading to illiterate factory-working women to inspire them to think for themselves. In Cuba, she’s arrested for wearing pants in public, though a judge eventually rules that she hasn’t committed a crime. Though Isern refers to Capetillo’s acquittal as a “pivotal moment,” she only vaguely alludes to its impact (“She was the inspiration for many girls and women who followed her example”). Translated from Spanish, this simplified picture-book biography focuses on the unfairness of women’s clothing customs, omitting the remarkable depth of Capetillo’s work as a labor organizer and writer. Capetillo was much more than a girl in pants, but this slice of her story captures her determined spirit and will speak to young people. Gili’s crisply lined illustrations feature pops of pastels and hot pinks, layering stunning, realistic-looking characters over more abstract, foliage-filled backdrops.

A snapshot of a groundbreaking, pants-wearing feminist hero.