Paul Connolly is Reader in Education at Queen's University, Belfast.

'This book is a welcome antidote to those offering "teaching tips" on "raising boys' achievement" ... [and] is accessible and clearly written ... It is of particular importance in that it is one of the few books that directly explores how predominant approaches to early years pedagogy forecloses opportunities to confront gender-stereotypical behaviours.' - International Journal of Early Years Education'Paul Connolly's book appears as a welcome and refreshing addition to the burgeoning literature on the subject. It is to be hoped that teachers will take up his suggestion for working with young boys in the 'Critical Gender Zone', working in school and with parents to challenge dominant forms of masculinity that limit engagement and learning.' - ECR Book Reviews'His (Connolly's) work is a model of well structured clearly reported research.'- Elaine Millard, Senior Lecturer, School of Education, University of Sheffield

• Part 1: The Rhetoric and the Reality of 'Boys' Underachievement 1. 'Boys' Underachievement': The Evidence 2. 'Boys' Underachievement': The Explanations Part 2: Theorising boys and Masculinity in the early years 3. Vygotsky, Bourdieu and the Social Contexts of Young Children's Development. Part 3: Case Studies of young Boys and Schooling 4. Worlds Apart: Introducing South Park and North Parade 5. Home-School Relations in South Park 6. 'Fish in Water': The Schooling Habitus of Young Middle Class Boys 7. Home-School Relations in North Parade 8. 'Fish Out of Water': The Schooling Habitus of Young Working Class Boys Part 4: Implications for Practice 9. Conclusions: Working with Young Boys

Paul Connolly is Reader in Education at Queen's University, Belfast.

'This book is a welcome antidote to those offering "teaching tips" on "raising boys' achievement" ... [and] is accessible and clearly written ... It is of particular importance in that it is one of the few books that directly explores how predominant approaches to early years pedagogy forecloses opportunities to confront gender-stereotypical behaviours.' - International Journal of Early Years Education'Paul Connolly's book appears as a welcome and refreshing addition to the burgeoning literature on the subject. It is to be hoped that teachers will take up his suggestion for working with young boys in the 'Critical Gender Zone', working in school and with parents to challenge dominant forms of masculinity that limit engagement and learning.' - ECR Book Reviews'His (Connolly's) work is a model of well structured clearly reported research.'- Elaine Millard, Senior Lecturer, School of Education, University of Sheffield

• Part 1: The Rhetoric and the Reality of 'Boys' Underachievement 1. 'Boys' Underachievement': The Evidence 2. 'Boys' Underachievement': The Explanations Part 2: Theorising boys and Masculinity in the early years 3. Vygotsky, Bourdieu and the Social Contexts of Young Children's Development. Part 3: Case Studies of young Boys and Schooling 4. Worlds Apart: Introducing South Park and North Parade 5. Home-School Relations in South Park 6. 'Fish in Water': The Schooling Habitus of Young Middle Class Boys 7. Home-School Relations in North Parade 8. 'Fish Out of Water': The Schooling Habitus of Young Working Class Boys Part 4: Implications for Practice 9. Conclusions: Working with Young Boys

Paul Connolly is Reader in Education at Queen's University, Belfast.

'This book is a welcome antidote to those offering "teaching tips" on "raising boys' achievement" ... [and] is accessible and clearly written ... It is of particular importance in that it is one of the few books that directly explores how predominant approaches to early years pedagogy forecloses opportunities to confront gender-stereotypical behaviours.' - International Journal of Early Years Education'Paul Connolly's book appears as a welcome and refreshing addition to the burgeoning literature on the subject. It is to be hoped that teachers will take up his suggestion for working with young boys in the 'Critical Gender Zone', working in school and with parents to challenge dominant forms of masculinity that limit engagement and learning.' - ECR Book Reviews'His (Connolly's) work is a model of well structured clearly reported research.'- Elaine Millard, Senior Lecturer, School of Education, University of Sheffield

• Part 1: The Rhetoric and the Reality of 'Boys' Underachievement 1. 'Boys' Underachievement': The Evidence 2. 'Boys' Underachievement': The Explanations Part 2: Theorising boys and Masculinity in the early years 3. Vygotsky, Bourdieu and the Social Contexts of Young Children's Development. Part 3: Case Studies of young Boys and Schooling 4. Worlds Apart: Introducing South Park and North Parade 5. Home-School Relations in South Park 6. 'Fish in Water': The Schooling Habitus of Young Middle Class Boys 7. Home-School Relations in North Parade 8. 'Fish Out of Water': The Schooling Habitus of Young Working Class Boys Part 4: Implications for Practice 9. Conclusions: Working with Young Boys