CAREER ROLES IN NEWBERY AWARD-WINNING AND HONOR BOOKS

The purpose of this study was to determine whether Newbery Award-Winning and Honor books from 1995-2004 present careers in a traditional or non-traditional manner. Two of the most recognizable titles, due to recent Hollywood productions, are Because of Winn-Dixie and Holes. Though there has been much research in the area of gender roles, which indicates males and females in children’s literature are depicted stereotypically, no research was found concerning the area of literary gender stereotypes in careers. After reviewing the use of bibliotherapy and theories of career and gender development, this quantitative descriptive study found careers in Newbery Award and Honor books to be presented stereotypically. The results indicated that significantly more females than males are depicted in non-traditional careers. Newbery Career Role Models i