The Myth ofBoy Books & Girl

BooksBrown Bag It | September 2015

Amy Koester, Learning Experiences

Question:What makes a book

a “boy book” ora “girl book”?

Answer:Marketing.

The library’s goal:

Expand readers’ worlds and empathy through books.

Marketing’s goal:

Tell you who you are so they can sell you something “perfect for you.”

Coverflip, Huffington Post, 5/7/13

#coverflip

Coverflip, Huffington Post, 5/7/13

#coverflip

Coverflip, Huffington Post, 5/7/13

#coverflip

Coverflip, Huffington Post, 5/7/13

#coverflip

Bad news: Sexism is systemic.

When we play into the boy books and girl books myth, we’re part of the

problem.

What’s the harm to boys?

CC BY 2.0 Flickr User JD Hancock

CC BY 2.0 Flickr User JD Hancock

What’s the harm to girls?

CC BY 2.0 Flickr User JD Hancock

CC BY 2.0 Flickr User JD Hancock

“Systemic” means it’s on us to make

change happen. So what should we do?

When asked “Where are the boy books?”…• Gently state that we don’t have boy books

and girl books. We just have books.• And believe it. Stop ascribing gender.

When asked for a readalike…• Focus on themes and topics.• Offer a range of options based on what

you’ve learned from the reader, not on assumptions.

When asked for a reading recommendation…• Describe themes and topics.• Check your language; ask yourself if you

would describe a male character/author in the same way you’re about to describe a female character/author.

To sum up:Stop talking about

books as for boys or for girls.

CC BY-SA 2.0 Flickr User Wendy

Now let’s chat.