How Can Children be Taught to Read Differently? Bill's New Frock and the 'Hidden Curriculum'

Abstract ABSTRACT There has been a great deal written about the theories of the interaction between readers and books. This article is an attempt to continue the debate. It includes a brief survey of the literature feminist theories of reading. The main focus of the article is based on classroom observations of a class of 10-11 year-olds reading and discussing the book Bill's New Frock by Anne Fine. The opinions expressed by the children appear to confirm the view that girls and boys are treated differently. The reading and discussion of the book raised awareness of these differences. The question raised is: How can children be taught to read 'differently'?