Gender representation in Mexican-American young adult books. A content analysis

The purpose of this study was to explore how high quality Latino books for young adults authentically represent Mexican Americans in relation to gender roles. To do this, a content analysis of Mexican American young adult books was conducted. The books that were selected received an award to recognize the authors who portray Latinos in an authentic way. The study exhibited that although young adult books that portray Mexican Americans depict traditional gender roles, the protagonists were, in general, non-traditional. If students have access to these books, they may be confronted to a reality different from their own.