This week's Diversity Roll Call is being hosted by Ali @ Worducopia. Its been a very busy week within the children's blogger world. There's the cover controversy with the upcoming YA release Liar by Justine Larbaleister's. The main character is Black, yet there is a White girl on the cover. That didn't go over to well. Another hot topic (look out Whoopi, here I come) was books for boys. Do in part to an open letter from an educator to the School Library Journal. Which so much going on Ali's given us a choice this week. Topic A- Talk about the cover controversyTopic B Talk about or list books that appeal to both genders.
I've already done A - here it is, now here's B
Books with female protagonists that are good for boys and girls
Early readers - I think this is the hardest reading level to find good books for boys. Publishers, no more fairies, horses or anything pink Not every girl wants to read those stories, so more choices please.
The Dragon's Child by Jenny Nimmo my review
Araminta Spookie #01: My Haunted House by Angie Sage- I love this series
Lunch Walks Among Us by Jim Benton
I've watched teenage boys shop YA. After the third lap around, they go back over to the parent/adult they came with. If I am approached for a suggestion, I will not suggest titles with female protagonist first. They've just walk through the section that is filled with female protagonists so my first few sections will be male leads. If that's wrong I don't want to be right. I know I can't be too off because, I have a difficult time selling male protagonist novels with girls on the cover a la John Green's Paper Towns. I loved Paper Towns but after a while I simply gave up trying to sell it. It wasn't worth the trouble trying to convince people that guys would enjoy it. I am looking forward to the paperback release of Paper Towns, a girl free cover.
MG/YG
The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Graff my review I really liked this book The main character gets caught up running cons during the summer. There is a strong male protagonist but you can't tell from the cover. The cover limits the audience, boys will walk right pass this.
I Put a Spell on You: From the Files of Chrissie Woodward, Spelling Bee Detective
by Adam Selzer. my review. I loved this book, so much so I didn't edit the long title. The cover is perferctly gender neutral and still fun.
11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass my review, and you'll notice I said it would be perfect for boy/girl book club - This is a very nice cover but it limits the audience.
First Light by Rebecca Stead
The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies my review story alternates between a brother and sister, and again I am loving the gender neutral cover.
Exodus by Julie Bertagna
Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
The Order of Odd-Fish by James Kennedy my review I loved this book
Return to Sender by Julia Alvarez my review I loved this book
Heck: Where the Bad Kids Go by Dale E Basye my review Reading the sequel now, Basye is throwing down all over again. Didn't think it was possible but I am loving it more than the first one. Great both the female and male leads are pictured.
Poisons of Caux #01: The Poisons of Caux: by Susannah Appelbaum my review
Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor my review I really enjoyed this one, and there is a strong male protagonist.
Shooting the Moon by Frances O'roark Dowell my review I loved this book
Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park my review The reader's chromosome make up doesn't matter, they just have to enjoy baseball, to love this book.
The Comeback Season by Jennifer E Smith my review where I said guys will also enjoy this book
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - I didn't put this on at first because I thought it was so obvious but should be on the list. Loved it and the sequel is just as good. The covers are enticing and gender neutral
Silver Phoenix: Beyond the Kingdom of Xia by Cindy Pon- Really enjoyed this one.
my review You can tell by the cover but I think guys would like this.
5 comments:
Your story about watching boys shop the YA section is so telling. When we're in the bookstore my son will gravitate to the sports section rather than the children's/YA section. He loves fiction--the books are there for him, but we have to dig deeper than a shelf browse to find them. It's resources like your blog that get us there. Thank you.
PBs seem to have a lot of boy characters though.
I'd missed your review of The Dragon's Child--I'm glad you mentioned it again.
I liked the Lemonade War lots!
Thanks, Ali that means a lot. I loved Dragon's child
You are an incredible resource. Thanks for the recommendations.
Post a Comment