Literature, Gender and Education for Children and Young Adults / Littérature, genre, éducation pour l’enfance et la jeunesse

Many studies have shown that in children’s and young adult (YA) literature sexism and gender stereo­ types are continually and uncritically reproduced. Furthermore, these representations have a signifi­cant impact on the development of gender identity of young readers. The essays in this volume focus on the current debates on gender in children’s and YA literature. They are divided into two main areas: children’s and YA literature, and gender education. As all the contributions illustrate, it is crucially important today to produce literary texts that challenge and overturn the traditional and standardized ideas about gender identities, roles, and models. This volume shows that gender education and re­search are fundamental to implementing the social, economic, and cultural transformations that are needed today. Applying gender perspectives to children’s and YA literature provides a critical view of reality that is useful in everyday life. They help us to understand our world and help young readers to become active, critical, and informed citizens. Contributions by R. Baccolini, S. Cavalcanti, C. Connan­Pintado, A. D’Arcangelo, C. Gamberi, E. Laso y Leon, C.M. Morgan, R. Pederzoli, A. Schneider, B. Spallaccia, M.E. Tisi, and R. Tonin.