Literature Network » G. A. Henty

Henty's heroes.(renewed demand for G.A. Henty's children's books)(Brief Article)

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From: The Economist (US)
Date: 19991211
Author:

WASHINGTON, DC

AMERICA is not only suffering from a shortage of heroes in its public life. It is suffering from a shortage of heroes in its children's literature, too. Most of today's children's books are populated by prissy paragons, of indeterminate sex, who spend their lives working in shelters for the homeless, lamenting the fate of native Americans and questioning gender stereotypes. In one book, a boy defies teasing to remain enrolled in a ballet class; in another, "lame teenager Shem" finds manhood "with the help of an old Indian woman".

A growing number of ...

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