Singh, M., (1998). Gender Issues in Children's Literature. ERIC Digest. http://www.ed.gov/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed424591.html
Singh talks about the typical gender portrayals, and how they could easily be changed. She claims that the way gender is portrayed in books will create an image in the child's mind on how they should act in society. It is not only boys' roles, but also female roles which are stereotyped. According to these stereotypes, girls should be passive and boys should be strong, powerful and emotionless. She notes that if book selections are changed to gender sensitive texts, it will allow the children to re-examine "their gender beliefs and assumptions." However, it is not always easy to change the book selections in schools, due to the problems of available money, people and organizations donating books, and books that are easily accessible. Teachers are restricted to money and what is available to them.

Sokal, L., (2002). Help Wanted: Boys' Reading. Canadian Child Care Federation, 14, 12-14. http://www.ldac-taac.ca/english/research/boysread.pdf
It has been made evident through many reports that boys have been behind girls in terms of reading ability. This report looks at possible hypotheses as to why this is. Sokal reports that most boys are a year and a half behind girls of the same age. This could be because reading is seen as a feminine act. It is felt that boys see reading this way because the mother spends more time with the children than the father, and most early teachers are women. This is what sets the foundation to reading. Sokal feels that more males reading to children would change this. There also needs to be a variety of books available to the children. They are interested in different subjects. Sokal noted that only one third of a school library has the types of books boys have an interest in. The third reason given is that most books show boys in stereotypical roles. Sokal believes that some boys cannot meet the standards which are portrayed to them, which in turn leaves them "feeling inadequate." Her solution for this is to have books which demonstrate various male roles.

Strauss, V. (2002). Spotlight on Single-Sex Schooling. Washington Post. [Online]. Accessed 07/02/02:
http://www.washingtonpost.com
This article addresses the issue of literacy in the United States. Strauss looks at the advantages of single-sex classrooms and how they may benefit both boys and girls. The Bush administration feels that single sex education should be encouraged, not only in private schools, but also in the public school system.