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Xuxa: The Mega-Marketing of Gender, Race, and Modernity is a novel by Amelia Simpson written in 1993. Xuxa, a woman whose career spanned many avenues, is an icon to many Brazilian citizens due to her portrayal as the epitome of Brazilianness (brazilidade). The book discusses her contribution to Brazilian culture through analyzing her fan letters, interviews, magazine spreads, and her children shows.

Author
Xuxa 's author, Amelia Simpson, teaches romance languages and literature at the University of Florida. She has published two other novels, one of which also deals with Latin America.

Synopsis
Xuxa: The Mega-Marketing of Gender, Race, and Modernity discusses how Xuxa's rise to extreme popularity reflects the culture of Brazil. In a time nearing and after the military regime, the need for traditionalism was high. Xuxa, a model, singer, actress, and host of a children's television show catered to this need through her overly-sexualized femininity as well as her ability to work with children which still allowed her to be sexual. She also used the "Racial Democracy" of Brazil through dating Pelé and by including Afro-Brazilians in the backgrounds of her movies. Finally, her television show and its endless advertising works in the 'Brazilian Dream', much like the 'American Dream', making kids believe that if they buy another of Xuxa's products, they too can become like her.

Simpson does this by analyzing mostly primary source texts. She uses fan letters, interviews, magazine critiques, segments from her shows (although mostly from Xou da Xuxa), and photos from magazine spreads to analyze the message that Xuxa pushes out. Fan letters allow Simpson to show how devoted to Xuxa citizens of Brazil and the world are and how much her power extends. According to the novel, Xuxa received 10,000 letters a day. Interviews,magazine critiques, and photos from magazine spreads show that unlike Barbie or Madonna in the United States, Xuxa had relatively little challenging nationally. They also show Xuxa's eroticism that she displayed in her shoots and public outings. Finally, segments from the show demonstrate her maternity that is both pining and sexualized.

Lead for Education in Brazil
Education in Brazil has had many changes. Education in Brazil first began with Jesuit missions. They controlled education for a long time, then, two hundred years after their arrival, their powers were limited by Marquis de Pombal. Shortly after the Jesuits' power was limited, the Brazilian government took over education and it is now is run by the Brazilian government through the Ministry of Education.

Issues in education are now seen through PISA, the Programme for International Student Assessment, and the Idep assessment now used by the Ministry. They have historically tested below average on all topics but are improving in mathematics.

Brazil uses both public and private school systems. They have the traditional primary, secondary, and tertiary school levels. Technical schools are also an option, but those wishing to go into those schools must pass eleventh and twelfth grade. Those wishing to become teachers may obtain a certification through vocational programs during secondary school then get a higher degree in university.