Mayrock, Aija. Survival Guide To Bullying.

Mayrock, Aija.  Survival Guide To Bullying.     Scholastic Press  2015  153p  $9.99  ISBN 978-0-545-86053-6 ms/hs  Nonfiction    VG-BN    

The focus of this book is to aid victims of bullying in finding the inner strength to deal with the situation.  It is heart-wrenching to read the numerous ways that students deal with bullying on a daily basis.  Mayrock’s advice on making a game plan to get through the day, including deciding on the safest route to get from class to class and who one’s potential allies in each room might be demonstrates the distractions and worries that this population deals with every day.  The overall theme of the book is that the victim can take actions to ease, and hopefully stop, the pain, and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.  The book evolved from personal writings and journals, and it has that kind of layout, with doodles, lists, and font changes that can be distracting at times.  Overall, it is a self-help book with a very personal feel to it that students will be able to relate to and find useful advice for their individual situations.  Recommended.     

Summary: A teen who survived bullying shares her advice for others coping with the same problem.     

Bullying                                              --Stephanie Pennucci

Hile, Lori. Bullying.

Hile, Lori.  Bullying.  Capstone/Heinemann  56p  $33.50     978-1-4329-6534-1 2013  ms   VG-BNS      series: Teen Issues      

Imagine walking around with a knot of anxiety lodged in your stomach every day.  This is how many bullying victims feel.  Stress is only one consequence of bullying.   What causes someone to become a bully?  What can be done to prevent bullying?

Bullying is a topic of concern for all schools.  Hile included true stories about bullying and its consequences, quotes from young people and experts, exercises to organize the facts about bullying, and tips on coping with bullies.  Readers will find the book a useful reference and a springboard to discussions on this troubling and challenging topic.  The colorful photos bring the topic to life.

In addition to a useful index and a suggested reading list, the volume includes a compilation of outstanding web sites readers may use for additional research, and several suggestions for debate topics related to bullying. 

Bullying is an elusive topic; unwritten social code demands that victims and witnesses keep silent when bullying takes place.  Hine, a former target of bullying, presents information about bullying sensitively and objectively.  In addition to extensive research, she interviewed Kevin Jennings, who has organized some anti-bullying programs for American schools, as well as the first National Bullying Summit in the United States.  To ensure that coverage of this emotionally charged topic reflects current practices, Shelley Holland, an accredited counselor and clinical supervisor, provided professional consultation and input on this text.           

Bullying, Bullying Prevention                         --Hilary Welliver

Hanson-Harding, Alexandra. How To Beat Physical Bullying.

Hanson-Harding, Alexandra.        How To Beat Physical Bullying.  Rosen Publishing Group  48p      $29.25  978-1-4488-6808-7     2013           ms           G               series: Beating Bullying                 Nonfiction

This succinct book accurately describes bullying by defining associated causes and effects.  A brief introduction draws the reader in by using a famous actor’s story about being bullied.  Subsequently, other popular actors, singers, and stars contribute their experiences as victims of bullies.  Each chapter is further divided into sections and combined with a low reading level.  This book is non-threatening to young readers.  Sensitivity as well as sound advice and recommendations are included within the insightful text.

This book is also visually appealing.  Each page contains a colorful photograph with captions or additional, informational text boxes that provide clarity and interest.  Topics such as defining bullying and characteristics of bullies are discussed as well as strategies for victims and bystanders, and societal responsibilities are included.

The informative, crisp text flows well and will instuct young readers on how to define, prevent, and deal with various aspects of bullying.  A table of contents, glossary, bibliography, list of sources for more information, and index are included.  Additionally, the book includes hotlines and websites for the reader to contact for advice and counseling regarding bullying.
Bullying                                                                                                                                             --Virginia McGarvey

 

Landau, Jennifer. How To Beat Psychological Bullying.

Landau, Jennifer.  How To Beat Psychological Bullying.    Rosen Publishing Group 48p       $21.95  978-1-4488-6809-4    2013  ms  VG-BN    series: Beating Bullying     Nonfiction

With psychological bullying at all ages becoming such a prevalent problem, this book examines its many aspects and its partner in crime, bullying.  Some chapter titles are “Sick With Worry”, “How Bullies Gain Control”,
“Taking Back Your Power”, and “Ending the Vicious Cycle”.  While redundant at times, most of the information found in this book cannot be emphasized enough.

Sidebars highlight some of the specifics of psychological bullying, such as “Bullying Students With Disabilities” (page 10) and “Managing Angry Feelings” (page 24).  While much of this book discusses how bullying happens, the balance of the book addresses why bullying occurs (family background, peer support, etc.) and things that can be done (such as rules and legislation) to prevent psychological bullying.  Support for bullying prevention and anti-bullying organizations are mentioned in the text, as well as the importance of taking individual responsibility in preventing and eliminating psychological bullying. “Ten Great Questions to Ask a Guidance Counselor” (page 28) can help students determine the parameters of bullying -- victim and bully alike.  Illustrations make the book brighter, but the text carries the reader through on its own.  The book concludes with a glossary, “For More Information” (a list of organizational websites, hotlines and such), further reading, a bibliography, and an index.

Bullying                                                                                                                                                                                        --Lynn Fisher

 

Peterson, Judy Monroe. How To Beat Cyberbullying.

Peterson, Judy Monroe. How To Beat Cyberbullying.        Rosen Publishing Group  48p   $21.95       978-1-4488-6810-0       2013      ms           VG-BN  series: Beating Bullying     Nonfiction

With cyberbullying at all ages becoming such a prevalent problem, this book examines the many aspects of cyberbullying and its partner in crime, bullying.             

The chapter titles are “Bullying Around the Clock”, “The Many Faces of Cyberbullies”, “Standing Up to Cyberbullying”, and “Cyberbullying Solutions”. While redundant at times, most of the information found in this book cannot be emphasized enough.  Sidebars highlight some of the specifics of cyberbullying such as “Using Cell Phones to Bully” (pages 10-11) and “Bystanders to Cyberbullying” (page 15).  While much of this book discusses how bullying happens, the balance of the book addresses why it occurs (family background, peer support, etc.) and techniques to avoid being cyberbullied.  Support for cyberbullying prevention and organizations are mentioned in the text, as well as the importance of taking individual responsibility to avoid being in cyber environments where bullying can occur.  “Ten Great Questions to Ask a Guidance Counselor” (page 28) can help students determine the parameters of cyberbullying –- for victim and bully alike.  Illustrations make the book brighter, but the text carries the reader through on its own.  The book concludes with a glossary, a section entitled “For More Information” (organizational websites, hotlines and such), a list of resources for further reading, a bibliography, and an index.

Cyberbullying                                                                                                                                             --Lynn Fisher

 

If Only

Geithner, Carole  If Only      

Scholastic/Grolier/Children’s Press/Watts 2012 327p   $16.99      978-0-545-23499-3       ms/jr  VG-BN     Conflict   

In this moving novel, a young girl’s grief for her mother is examined in great detail.  Corinna is starting eighth grade having just lost her mother the previous summer, and she must deal with both her grief and her feeling strange around her friends, her teachers, and the other kids at school.  Because she is still hurting so badly, she feels cut off from the others at school and in the neighborhood, and is not sure how to reach out for the sympathy that she craves but has a hard time accepting.  Every aspect of her new life as a motherless teen is very sensitively portrayed, including her relationship with her father, who is also grief-stricken and often doesn’t know how to relate to her.  One of Corinna’s greatest fears is that she will lose the friendship of her pal Joci, who doesn’t seem to know how to deal with her grief and is always saying the wrong things.  Other feelings are her fear that her dad will die as well, her crush on Alex, a boy at school, her humiliation when mean boys make inappropriate jokes at her expense, and sympathy for another girl at school who is being targeted by bullies.  This character is very sensitively drawn, and by the end of the book readers will feel that they really know her.  This would be a good one to read and discuss in a bereavement group or to offer to students who have suffered a great loss.       

VG-BN Carol Kennedy     Grief, Bullying

 

The Edumacation of Jay Baker

Clark, Jay  The Edumacation of Jay Baker        

 Macmillan/ Henry Holt   2011  273p   $16.99     978-0-8050-9256-1       ms/hs       Realistic fiction

Being a 9th grader is not easy, especially for Jay, who has irritable bowel syndrome and who does not share the same interests as his childhood mates.  There are constant verbal skirmishes between them as the guys call him gay, while Jay’s quick wit always finds a way to wound the beefy sport jocks.  Jay confides his personal troubles to his female childhood friend and possible love interest (until a new girl arrives in school and catches his attention).  As Jay helps the new girl hone her tennis skills, he falls in love with her, and a love triangle ensues.  All the characters have parental issues.  There is a lot of snarky dialogue between characters, with teachers adding their own jabs.  Verbal intimidation and homophobia are the norm for the young characters, and potty humor and sexual innuendo abound.  Those readers that are not offended will be laughing hysterically.  The use of pop culture references litter the text, with some based upon contemporary culture and some stretching back to the TV show Alf.  Each chapter has a title that is related to a song referenced in the playlist at the back of the book.  While it is not for every library, many readers will find this humorous reflection of the angst and problems of maturing a welcome relief from the books that offer a more somber mood.   For grade 8 and higher.

McNicol,Lois   High school stories, Bullying