Kerry Mallan examines the configurations of gender and sexuality in recent children's fiction in light of the regulatory pressures of heteronormativity and considers the potential for expanding and enriching concepts of masculinity and femininity for young readers [...] Mallan considers the role and accountability of the publishing and culture industries in this arena of socialization and emphasizes the importance of providing counter narratives to hegemonic systems of being gendered and ways of knowing gender." (Bhroin & Kennon, 2012, p.3)