Criteria for Evaluating Good Books for Girlsby Sandy Cole & Keri Simmons

What should teachers keep in mind when selecting books for girls?

• Look actively for books portraying girls & women in a positive light with active, dynamic roles

• Look for books and stories that do not portray the female gender in a stereotypical manner. Rudman (1995)

• Look for books where females are not always weaker and more delicate than males

• Look for books where individuals are not judged on the basis of being a female

• Look for books where occupations are represented for females

How can teachers use books to promote a specific gender?

• Raise questions about the main characters and their portrayal

• Ask students to reverse the genders of the individuals in the book

• Have students guess a writers gender based on the story they have read

• When they write stories ask them to use gender neutral names in the stories so that they can guess the protagonists gender

• During discussions with students, validate feminine voices

Evaluating books

Purpose and audience:•What is the purpose?•Who is the book’s intended audience?

-Determine the approach used-Read the introductory material- Note the tone

Evaluating books continued…

Authority:•Does the author have adequate

qualifications?• Is the work cited in other writings?•Are the authors qualifications given?•Who is the copyright holder?

-Use biographical dictionaries to investigate the author

-Search appropriate databases for works that cite the book

Evaluating books continued…

Accuracy:•Does the book offer trustworthy

information?•Does the book indicate editorial quality?• Is the information protected by copyright?

-Examine the text for evidence of careful research-Check if data, statistics and facts are documented-Read review from sources that are reputable

Evaluating books continued…Objectivity• Is the book biased?•Are the writers claims logical?• Is the evidence presented adequate an

credible?

Kids Selection Criteriahttp://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/alsc/greatwebsites/greatwebsitesforkids/greatwebsites.cfm

• ALA (American Library Association) was founded on October 6, 1876 during the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

• The American Library Association was created to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

• Their current strategic plan calls for continued work in the areas of Advocacy and Value of the Profession, Education, Public Policy and Standards, Building the Profession, Membership and Organizational Excellence.

Girls Incorporatedhttp://www.girlsinc.org/girls-inc.html1. Girls Incorporated is a

national nonprofit youth organization dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

2. With roots dating to 1864, Girls Inc has provided vital educational programs to millions of American girls, particularly those in high-risk, underserved areas.

3. Today, innovative programs help girls confront subtle societal messages about their value and potential, and prepare them to lead successful, independent, and fulfilling lives.

Girls Inc develops research-based informal education programs that encourage girls to take risks and master physical, intellectual and emotional challenges. MajorPrograms address math andscience education, pregnancy anddrug abuse prevention, medialiteracy, economic literacy,adolescent health, violence prevention, and sportsparticipation.

Why Johnny Won’t Read – The Washington Post

http://www.publishersweekly.com/index.asplayout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6632328

•This story originally appeared in PW Comics Week on January 27, 2009. This article asks the question if American comics has lost teenage girls as readers.

ALA – Amelia Bloomer (award for outstanding books for girls) http://libr.org/ftf/bloomer.html• Found on this website are all of the books that werenominated for the Amelia Bloomer Project for the 2009year, and will be under discussion for inclusion on theAmelia Bloomer List.• They are Exemplary books for girls and young womenthat celebrate their strengths and nourish their potentialare needed now more than ever. The Amelia BloomerProject produces an annual list of books for youngreaders, ages birth through 18, that contain significantfeminist content-not just cardboard “feisty” or “spunky”girls and women, but tales of those who have brokenbarriers and have fought to change their situations andtheir environment.

Finding literature to recommend to students

http://www.educationworld.com/a_bestbooks/archive=/students.shtml

"It does not matter how many books you may have, but whether they are good or not." - Lucius Annaeus Seneca (3 B.C.-65 A.D.)

•We want books that will support classroom instruction

•We want books that will develop our own teaching or classroom management skills

• We want to support our child's learning

Readergirlzhttp://www.readergirlz.com/issue.html

• * readergirlz is about having serious fun while talking about books with the author and your friends!

• * readergirlz is about getting the inside scoop about why the novel was written, the tears and joys and real-world angst that the author has lived and layered into her story.

• * readergirlz is about reading great books to get to know yourself, your friends, and yes, even your mother, better.

• * readergirlz is about celebrating strong girls in books who've got the guts to dream.

• * readergirlz is about reaching out to others based on what you've read.

• * And most of, readergirlz is about inspiring girls to make history of their own!

Gender Issues in Children's Literature

• www.indiana.edu/~reading/ieo/digests/d135.html

Gender Issues in Children's Literature Preparedby:  Manjari Singh ERIC Clearinghouse on Reading,

English, and Communication Digest #135

"Many researchers and authors argue that readersidentify with characters of their own gender inbooks. Therefore, the relative lack of girl characters in texts can limit the opportunity for girls to identify with their gender and to validate their place in society.”

Criteria from classmates:http://genderequalbooks.com/Brave_Girls_book_list.html

• Some features that make books good for girls are books that are written “to help girls build and maintain their self-esteem.” Good books for girls need to empower girls and women as well as send a positive message. “Boys should be encouraged to read these books too, to see strong girls and women in action.” (NCTE/IRA 1, 2, 12). Sreenivasan, Jyotsna (2009). Brave Girls and Strong Women A special collection of books from small publishers for ages 2-17.

Criteria from classmates:•Other criteria for choosing books for girls

include:•Age appropriate • Interesting to girls •Books that show girls and women in a positive role • Topic that would be interesting to girls •Books that show girls in all walks of life from

moms to astronauts •Books with Positive messages to girls

Websites on evaluating good books for girls

• http://libr.org/ftf/blommer.html• http://www.library.wwu.edu/ref/howtoguides/evaluatingbooks.html• http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/promos/greatbooks/girls/booklist.html • http://www.cbmw.org/Blog/Posts/Reading-is-for-Girls-Choosing-the-Right-Bo

ok• http://www.intime.uni.edu/multiculture/curriculum/children.htm• http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6640823.html?&rid• http://genderequalbooks.com/Brave_Girls_book_list.html • http://www.tor.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=blog&id=13691