Exploring Representations and Discourses around Gender in Young Adult Literature with a Community-Based Book Club

• In Event: Discursive Representations in Children's and Youth' Literature

Abstract

In this presentation, one university teacher educator and one doctoral candidate teacher educator share research from a project in which they invited local members of a rural community to meet monthly at a public library and participate in a book club around social justice issues raised in young adult literature (YAL). For this presentation, we specifically highlight our findings obtained from one focal text (Mason Deaver’s 2019 I Wish You All the Best) and our ensuing discussion on gender. After situating our study in relevant literature and describing the theoretical frameworks and methods we draw on, we share themes identified across the dialogue including how participants related to the characters and how they discussed topics such as pronouns and support for youth. We then offer future implications for practice, positing such communities as spaces to practice inclusive discourse.

Authors

• Ashley Summer Boyd, Virginia Commonwealth University

• Rachael R Wolney, Washington State University