This story has a happy ending:

A couple weeks ago, my student Billy gleefully told me that he and Adam had spent the weekend collaborating on a book, and that they were already up to the fourth chapter. I was pleased that they chose to spend their free time writing, and assumed their product would be similar to my serious elementary school efforts, with each chapter being a handwritten page or two. I told the boys I would be delighted to read what they had so far. As it turned out, they had actually typed up thirteen single-spaced pages. Serious business for a couple of ten-year-old boys!

I was thoroughly enjoying the read, which included vanishing swords, alternate universes, and a terrifying librarian, until I got to the bottom of page five. It only took the authors five pages to get to a random exhibition of misogyny - two of the male characters insult each other by calling the other a lady.

THANK YOU SO MUCH PATRIARCHY for teaching young boys that girl is the meanest (and funniest!) thing you can call a boy. Certainly, it saves time by conveniently tying together sexism, gender essentialism, and homophobia.

When Adam asked me what I thought of their book, I started out by telling him how impressed I was, and relating some of my favorite parts. Then I told him that I did have one complaint.

“You know the part where the two boys insult each other by calling each other ladies? It seemed like you were saying it’s bad to be a girl.”

“Hmm…” Adam usually tends to ignore anything I have to say, but he seemed to actually be thinking.

“Do you want girls to read this book, or is it only for boys? How do you think girls might feel reading their gender used as an insult?” I asked.

“Oh!” Adam jumped out of his seat. “Of course! We will definitely change that part!”

It’s a start.