Why books with bullies?

Why bully books?

Because these bully books reflect what is happening in the lives of our young people, and using a bully book to start the discussion about bullying is better than having to discipline after a bullying event. And because we, the adults working in schools, need to raise our own consciousness about this very common problem.

And bully books are being published en masse.

But, before you use these books, you need to know the definition of bullying, which consists of these three parts

• The behavior is intended to harm or disturb, or the individual targets feels harmed, disturbed or embarrassed.
• The behavior occurs repeatedly and over time. (It can’t just happen once.)
• There is an imbalance of power (power based on size, age, social status, wealth, intelligence, appearance, wardrobe, just to name a few).

The old stereotypical bullying event usually contained a big kid standing over a little kid saying, “Give me your lunch money” If we look at the above definition, it is easy to see that the behavior is intended to cause harm, the little kid would not get lunch and possibly be humiliated publicly, That alone would not make it bullying, but it usually happens several times a week, and the imbalance of power seen in the size difference between a big kid and a small kid is obvious.

Name-calling, the most common form of bullying in children and adults, can be heard on school playgrounds or in middle school and high school hallways or in the workplace. The words hurt and are heard often, and are usually delivered by a person with power over the target.  Most people who are called names don’t tell anyone because they are embarrassed.

If two students who are friends have an argument that ends up in name-calling—that probably will not be bullying. They will resolve the conflict and continue the friendship. The words may have been intended to harm, but the event happened in one setting and between two equals.

Most people still believe the many myths about bullying.

• The bully usually has a poor self-concept—MYTH. The Elitist Bully or Social Climber Bully spends so much time thinking about him/herself, there isn’t any time left to think about others.
• Bullying will make the targeted child stronger—MYTH. Bullying can destroy lives. The word bullycide (also bullicide), being bullied to the point where killing oneself is the only perceived escape, has been added to our language.

New research on bullying tells us that this problem is not going away. Those of us who work with children of all ages need to educate ourselves.  For far too long school staffs have been correctly accused of doing nothing. THAT IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. Start by reading a bully book with your class so that you can encourage a discussion before you have to discipline the problem. Keep a list of bully books available so when you hear a kid is having a problem you can share that book. Literature has always been a bridge, and bully books can help targeted students, confused bystanders and even active bullies cross to a healthier place.

Latest Finds

September 2011

Freaks and Revelations by Davida Wilis Hurwin.

Little Brown, 2009. Told in two voices and in two time settings spanning several years. Doug is the angry, drug-involved kid who eventually turns hard core Punk. Jason, a gay kid, gets thrown out by his overly Christian mom. The two only meet twice in the book, once when a hate-filled, seventeen-year old Doug, beats up Jason, a fourteen-year-old kid who survives on the street as a prostitute. The second time is when both males are well into adulthood, and Jason recognizes Doug. Inspired by real lives of Matthew Boger and Tim Zaal. (H)

Who Am I by M.L. Rice

Bold Stroke Books, 2011. When her father dies before her senior year, Air Force brat Devin and her mom find an apartment on the edge of Beverly Hills. On Devin's first day of school, rich and privileged Jason starts harassing her, however, his sister Melanie comes to her rescue. A strong friendship quickly forms and Devin becomes aware she might be lesbian because of her attraction to Mel. (H)

Shine bby Lauren Myracle

Amulet/Abrams, 2011. While Cat's close friend Patrick lies in a come, the victim of a violent hate crime, she decides to track down his attacker who she believes could not possibly be from her tightly-knit Southern town. (M/H)

Bitter End by Jennifer Brown

Little, Brown , 2011. With her senior year nearing its end, Alex and her two best friends have been planning a trip to Colorado. Instead she falls for the new guy, Cole, who is handsome, romantic, and very attentive, however, she soon discovers he is also controlling, manipulative and physically abusive-can she love him out of that? (H)

Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories edited by Megan Kelly Hall and Carrie Jones

HarperCollins, 2011. This book grew out of Hall and Jones's need to react in some way to the bullycide of Phoebe Prince in 2010. They created a website, Young Adult Authors Against Bullying where YA authors were able to talk about the problem of bullying and offer their stories. (M/H)

How to Rock Braces and Glasses by Meg Haston

Little, Brown, 2001. Eighth-grader Kacey Simon is the "it" girl in her middle school--pretty, confident, intelligent, the student broadcast journalist of the school's tv network, and the leader of her group of four who she rules with what SHE calls honesty. Then in a 24 hour period, she has to return to her glasses and get braces, but as she falls from stardom a couple of good friends help her sort out what is important. (M)

Fire Girl by Tony Abbott

Little, Brown, 2006. One day, Tom Bender's teacher announces a new student will be joining their class-but she wants the class to know that Jessica has been badly burned and will receive treatment at their local hospital. Tom watches as everyone stares and then ignores Jessica. Some even make up rumors about her burns. (M)

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson & Chris Tebbetts

Little, Brown, 2011. Sixth-grader Rafe has a buddy who wants to help Rafe change his reputation or perhaps get one by breaking every rule in the school's rule book. Rafe ends up in more trouble than he knew possible. (M)

The Queen of Kentucky by Alicia Whitaker

Little, Brown, 2011. Entering a public high school after years in Catholic schools, has Ricky Jo planning ways to become popular-and the first way is starts using her real her name, Ericka. Soon Ericka is fitting in with the popular cheerleaders and ignoring her old friends. But when her best friend forever, Luke lands in the hospital after his abusive father beats him, it is Ricky Jo who shows up at his bedside. Ricky Jo has some great lines in this a fun read. (M)