Viola T. asked Ryan Gebhart:

Thank you for your thoughtful response, but you are missing the point about sexism. You could have made that point with different language and still be funny without turning middle-aged women (already in the invisible zone) into a joke. Young readers won't be able to distinguish that it's just your character's flaw. It's a sly and subtle perpetuation of a harmful stereotype. Does he get called out on it in the end?

Ryan Gebhart In the end, Tyson doesn't get called out for his sexist thought, he gets called out for his immaturity in general.

If I could go back and edit out the line in question I would. The scene would work just fine without it, and it doesn't add anything contextual to the story. I apologize for perpetuating a stereotype.

Thank you for calling this to my attention. Interactions like this help me become more aware that words can hurt. As a writer, especially one for a middle grade audience, I have a larger responsibility than merely telling an entertaining story. I will work harder to be more thoughtful with future works.

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