Reading Gender in Children’s Literature Critical Library Pedagogy for Young Readers Michael M. Widdersheim PhD Student, University of Pittsburgh Melissa A. McCleary Youth Services Librarian, Pembroke Public Library

Libraries, technologies, and self- assembly Bibliographic control Social space Private reading Surveillance

Readers’ advisory, gender & sexuality, and the self Gender stereotypes Sex Sexualization Transsexual characters & readers Gendered reading & learning Transvestism Gender & book preferences The gender gap Intersections :

Language and readers’ advisory: Some problems Essentialization Assignment Othering Cultural imperialism Tokenism Complicity

Counter-techniques Consider story quality Exploit expert position Interrogate norms Use open-ended questions Recommend progressive titles Rely on passive (indirect) tools Create safe environment

Conclusion Critical readers’ advisory: Toward a reorganization of imaginary life. Contacts: