Unfortunately, it is sadly true that vast numbers of American boys are put off by female bylines; what's sexist is less the notion than the behavior of the boys. This is yet another case where the situation in the U.S. tends to be different than in the U.K., where boys and men are much more likely to pick up a novel with a female byline than they are here.

If any American librarians are reading this, can you help me out by explaining what your experience has been? Thanks.