20: Representation of Female Protagonists in Newbery Award-Winning and Honor Books: Themes and Analysis

This study reviewed how female protagonists were portrayed in recent (1985-2000) Newbery books. Findings revealed that female main characters evaluated their abilities in physical, cognitive, social, domestic, and emotional terms. Other areas included the evaluation of personality characteristics and self-esteem issues. Overall, the characters focused on relative physical shortcomings but exhibited positive perceptions regarding their cognitive abilities. The protagonists were evaluated by others on physical and academic issues in addition to being evaluated based on societal norms for gender. The main characters were also described negatively based on body type or other physical attributes but received praise for academic achievement.