Challenge #7

To help your students disrupt gender stereotypes, you will focus this challenge on the messages your book sends about ​gender. You may choose one character to analyze. While it might make sense to focus on the gender of the protagonist, you are also free to choose a supporting character if something about their gender jumps out at you.

 

Once you have finished reading your novel, spend some time jotting down the stereotypes of whichever gender you are focusing on. Then, make a list of characteristics and events from the book that either support or disrupt the stereotype.

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Questions to consider as you are analyzing gender:

• What personality traits and behaviors show us that this character conforms to gender stereotypes?

• What personality traits and behaviors show us that this character rejects gender stereotypes?

• How do others respond to this character? Do their responses help the character conform or reject the gender stereotypes?

• How does this character contribute to or change a social construction of gender?

• Which gender stereotypes are most frequently reinforced by characters in books, and why? 

• Which gender stereotypes are most frequently resisted by characters in books, and why? 

• How do you wish young adult books were different in terms of how they contribute to the social construction of gender?

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Once you have explored gender representation in your book, create a product that shares your insights and understandings with the rest of the class. The way you represent your thinking is totally up to you.