The Bully Book

Author: Eric Kahn Gale https://www.erickahngale.com/
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date of Publication: 2013
Illustrator: n/a
Genre Designation: Fiction
Lexile: HL620L

The Bully Book

Summary:

This book centers around a boy named Eric. As you read the book you may think it is a bullying how to novel. The novel uses the word "the grunt". The grunt is the scapegoat or person that is easy to pick on. The first half of the book is spent describing the things the kids do to bully the grunt. The second half is the grunt fighting back against the bullies. The author states that the book is based on his experiences in 6th grade. The book grabs you from the first journal entry. In between entries there are description of what is meant by the lingo used in the previous journal entry. Fantastic book and should be read by all middle school aged students.

Target Audience:

The book takes place during 6th grade. I think this book would be great for grade 6-12. Everyone can identify with this book in some aspect. We have all seen or been the victim or know a victim of bullying.

Evaluation:

This novel is eye opening and disturbing at times. You almost worry that if a bully read this it would almost give them a how to insight. This book will make you think and it will start discussions for sure. 

Reader Response Activity:

Pick the three journal entries that had an affect on you. Write a paragraph about what that affect was. Did it make you angry, could you relate in some way, or do you think this could happen or has happened.

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat

Author: Anna Dewdney https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/scholarly-magazines/dewdney-anna
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Date of Publication: 2013
Illustrator: Anna Dewdney https://www.encyclopedia.com/children/scholarly-magazines/dewdney-anna 
Genre Designation: Fiction
Lexile: AD330L

Llama Llama and the Bully Goat

Summary:

Llama llama is the main charater of this series of books. In this particular book while at school he encounters a bully named Gilroy Goat. Gilroy Goat is not very nice to his classmates. Eventually llama llama and a friend confront Gilroy Goat. They are able to resolve their differences and become friends.

Target Audience:

This book would be good for preschool through 1st grade. It deals with name calling, sharing and being a good friend. It also shows conflict resolution and the benefit of talking things out.

Evaluation:

The rhyming nature of this book and illustrations make it entertaining. The subject matter is presented in such a way that the children will be able to relate and learn from it. 

Reader Response Activity:

https://kaltura.uwp.edu/media/Llama+Llama+and+The+Bully+Goat/1_nv2b7su0

Peanut Butter and Jellyfish

Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka http://www.studiojjk.com/
Publisher: Random House, Inc.
Date of Publication: 2014
Illustrator: Zoe Krosoczka (website not available)
Genre Designation: Fiction
Lexile: AD520L

Peanut Butter and Jellyfish

Summary:

This is a story about two best friends named Peanut Butter and Jellyfish. There is also a crab named Crabby. Crabby is always calling them names and teasing them. Crabby finds himself in a situation where he needs their help. They do help him and he is grateful. Crabby realizes he has not been very nice to them and apologizes.

Target Audience:

This book is great for Pre-K - 1st grade. It shows the affects of name calling in a manner that younger children could relate to. In addition, it teaches you to put aside your differences and help someone that is in need.

Evaluation:

The illustrations are colorful, which will attract younger readers. Fish and sea life tend to be characters children enjoy. The themes presented in the book are introduced in an age appropriate manner for younger children.

Reader Response Activity:

At the end of the story Peanut Butter, Jellyfish and Crabby become friends. Have the students draw an adventure for the new three best friends.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Author: Sherman Alexie http://fallsapart.com/

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Date of Publication: 1966

Illustrator: Ellen Forney https://ellenforney.com/

Genre Designation: Fiction

Lexile: 600L

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Summary:

This novel is about an Indian boy named Arnold. Life is not easy for Arnold. He has friends, but they bully him. They rarely listen to him, call him degrading names and threaten to beat him up. His home life is dysfunctional as well. His parents, especially his father is an alcoholic, and  his sister lives in the basement of their house and rarely comes up. Eventually the sister runs off and gets married and moves to Montana. On the advice of his teacher Mr. P. he decides to leave the reservation and attend a school that is primarily white over twenty miles away. With this move he becomes a traitor to the people of the reservation and an outcast to the people at his new school. At his new school he encounters a whole new set of bullies and the name calling and fighting continues. The novel follows Arnold through making new friends, mending old ones, allowing himself to become honest and vulnerable, and sadly death of those closest to him. 

Target Audience:

The target audience for this book would be grades 6-12. The themes discussed in this book are serious. To give the subject matter the consideration and understanding it requires I would recommend above 6th grade. 

Evaluation:

This book really tackles many of the issues facing youth today. Arnold is mistreated by so many people in his life. While what the young boy in this novel endured is by no means acceptable, you admire his resilience. You can not read this novel and not be changed. It is a clash of cultures and a clash of socioeconomic lifestyles. The message is even in the most desperate of circumstances, you need to persevere.  The novel also uses illustrations throughout the novel to help explain what Arnold is feeling or thinking.

Reader Response Activity:

This novel could allow for deep reflection about the way you have been treated in the past or the way you have treated someone. After finishing the novel have the students identify 5 things that were significant for Arnold on his journey. They can choose to write an essay or make a poster board.  

The No More Bullying Book for Kids

Author: Vanessa Green Allen savvyschoolcounselor.com/about-me/
Publisher: Rockridge Press
Date of Publication: 2018
Illustrator: Emmeline Pidgen https://emmelineillustration.com/
Genre Designation: Non-Fiction
Lexile: N/A

The No More Bullying Book for Kids

Summary:

This book is divided into three chapters; Recognize Bullying, Stop Bullies, Become Bully-Proof. In each of the chapters there are subheading and definitions. In addition there are sidebars that contain things to think about in relation to the chapter. There are also real-life stories that are followed by questions. At the end of each chapter there is section to apply what you have learned to various scenarios. This book is meant to be taught as three separate lessons on bullying. There are many opportunities for small group and whole class discussions.

Target Audience:

This book could be used for grades 3-8. The depth will come from the side bars and questions for reflection. Depending on the grade and age of the students you are working with the discussion will reflect that.

Evaluation:

This book is a great resource to help students evaluate what they read. The material is presented to them and thoroughly explained. The students then get a chance to apply what they learned through the use of real-life scenarios and end of chapter applications.

Reader Response Activity:

A great activity once you finish the book would be for the kid to perform skits. The skits would involve one of the bullying scenarios in the book. The students would write the script and perform the skit. At the end of each skit the class would discuss what they thought, and would they have done anything different. 

Land of Forgotten Girls

Author: Erin Entrada Kelly http://www.erinentradakelly.com/
Publisher: Greenwilllow Books
Date of Publication: 2016
Illustrator: N/A
Genre Designation: Fiction
Lexile: 640L

LAND OF FORGOTTEN GIRLS

Summary:

This novel is about a young girl named Soledad (Sol). Sol's mother dies at an young age and she is left with her father. In addition to her father she has a sister named Ming. Her other sister Amelia died in a freak drowning accident that Sol blames herself for. Her father marries a women named Vea and they move to the United States. After a short time Sol's father returns to the Philippines with a promise to come back soon. Sol's father never returns and her step-mother Vea is left in charge of the two girls. Vea is physically and mentally abusive to the girls. Locking them closets, not feeding them properly, their clothes are ragged and making them kneel on cooked rice. While this is just a couple of examples there are many more. Sol's living circumstances are bleak, but she is find solace for short spurts of time in her imagination. There is another character in the story named Caroline. Caroline is someone that Sol and Manny bully by calling her names and throwing things at her. Eventually they become friends so it also show forgiveness even when people are not kind to you. This novel shows resilience and hope for the most desperate of situations. 

Target Audiences:

This book is geared for Middle School aged children and above. Some of the issues she faces are very mature. The message of resilience in this book could be lost could be lost on a younger student. She is forced to grow up quick to provide a safe place. 

Evaluation:

This novel tackles so many themes. We have bullying, abuse, young love, imagination, poverty, immigration, and death all in one novel. The depth and layers of this novel create the reading experience. The author uses strong descriptions to help you visualize the situation. She develops the characters so you really get to know them and root for them. From the first paragraph of the book you are vested and want to continue reading. 

Elmer

Author: David McKee https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/12/25-years-elmer-elephant-david-mckee
Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books
Date of Publication: 1968
Illustrator: David McKee https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/jul/12/25-years-elmer-elephant-david-mckee
Genre Designation: Fiction
Lexile: AD600L

ELMER

Summary:

Elmer is an elephant that does not look like the others. He is brightly colored instead of the usual gray color. He does not feel like he fits in and believes all the other elephants are laughing at him. He decides to color himself gray to fit in. He joins the other elephants and no one knows it is him because he looks like everyone else. While colored gray he hear the other elephants wishing he were here to share the laughs with them. Suddenly a rains storm starts and all his gray color is washed away exposing his brightly colored skin. He realizes it is alright to be different and the other elephants pick a day to make themselves brightly colored like Elmer. On that particular day Elmer colors himself gray.

Target Audience:

The target audience for this book could be Pre k - 2nd grade. It is a great book to teach children about being different. We need to celebrate who we are and not be ashamed. This book also teaches that while we think every one is laughing at us. We need to understand that based on our differences that may not be the case. While this book does not have a direct bully. Elmer perceives himself to be the object of people laughter because he is not like the others.

Evaluation:

When you are presenting books to younger students first, they need to entertain. Elmer's bright vivid colors draw you to him immediately. While the students are drawn in by the colors and entertainment there is a lesson to be learned. This is a great way to introduce children to the idea of celebrating differences. It also allows children to not judge people based on appearance until you get to know them.

Reader Response Activity:

Give each child a coloring page of an elephant. Let them pretend they were one of the elephants on Elmer's Day Parade. What would they want to look like. Give the students many different art choices from sequence to crayons. This would be a great art project for a bulletin board. I could see the tag, "Celebrating Differences, Celebrating You."

El Deafo Cece Bell

Author: Cece Bell https://cecebell.wordpress.com/

Publisher: Amulet Books

Date of Publication: 2014

Illustrator: David Lasky https://davidlasky.carbonmade.com/ 

Genre Designation: Fiction

Lexile: N/A

EL DEAFO

Summary:

El Deafo is a story about a girl named Cece Bell who is hearing impaired. The book follows our character through her grade school years. We watch as she tries to fit in being a hearing impaired student. The embarrassment and ridicule she endures as well as the friends she makes. The difficultly she has trying to understand what people are saying to her and working hard to be successful in school. Throughout the many things she has to overcome the main area of growth in how she view herself. She creates a super hero character called El Deafo and that become her alter persona. El Deafo has superpowers that she keeps secret for many years. When she finally shares her superpowers with other students she is catapulted in to a new social scene. However, while that is certainly exciting for our character she spends most of the novel looking for the that one true friend. She ultimately finds her one true friend, a new sense of self and a renewed outlook on her  disability.

Target Audience: 

The lessons taught in this book are valuable to any child. In my opinion this book is best suited for 3rd grade and above. When children enter 3rd grade your begin to see a huge shift in their socialization and the importance they place on it. Making friends, keeping friends is a theme for students. Following this story not only shows that process, but shows the difficulty when you have a handicap. 

Evaluation:

Graphic novels rely heavily upon the illustrations to convey the themes in the novel. The images on the page come to life with the vivid illustrations. The words growing faint as her hearing aid battery dies to the sounds when her hearing aid breaks you can feel. This book is authentic and gives you an honest look at the day to day struggles of a person that is hearing impaired. The author of the book is the character in the story as well. The story is not an exact representation of her life but the strife is real. The character have been altered or combined to create the story, but they are based on people she has encountered. If is a brave novel that grants us true insight.

Reader Response Activity:

At some time in our lives we have all wished to be a super hero and have super powers. While many of us never have to create those powers or persona in the wake of a disability, we all have wished for them.  I would have the students think of a super hero name and design their powers around that theme. They would then draw their super hero and write a description of why you chose that name and powers We would then share them with each other having each student present their super hero to the class. You could build a whole theme around this idea. You could study people you look up to. People that have changed your life. Someone you would like to meet if you were given the chance. Ultimately looking at yourself as an unique being.

Enemy Pie

Author: Derek Munson https://www.bing.com/search?q=derek+munson+author&FORM=SBRS03

Publisher: Chronicle Book LLC

Date of Publication: 2000

Illustrator: Tara Callahan King https://www.bing.com/search?q=tara%20callahan%20king&qs=n&form=QBRE&sp=-1&pq=tara%20callahan%20king&sc=2-18&sk=&cvid=3D0E14ADFD2741E791024343EDA6A25B

Genre Designation: Fiction

Lexile: AD550L

Enemy Pie

Summary: 

In the book Enemy Pie there is a young boy who believes his summer is going well until Jeremy Ross moves into the neighborhood. The young boy believes Jeremy Ross is not very nice.So the young boys dad has an idea and that is to bake an enemy pie. Before he can bake the pie his son needs to spend the day with his enemy. The young boy does just that and finds out that Jeremy Ross is not so bad after all. In the end they sit down to eat the pie and it is not disgusting like the young boy thought it is actually pretty good. The father created this to help him get to know the boy he thought was his enemy.

Target Audience: 

This book is perfect for grades 1-5. As the students get older you can have more in depth conversations about getting to know someone first before assuming they are bad. Many times what we think is happening is not the case at all. This book would help to start the discussion on perceptions.

Evaluation:

This book deals with the topic of bullying, but more than that, perception. It is important that a book with this topic teach us something. It teaches that things may not always be the way the seem. The older the child reading the book the more they will be able to evaluate the true lesson behind the story.

Reader Response Activity:

An activity that would be fun for students is to create a recipe for their own enemy pie. A real enemy pie with all the disgusting ingredients. First, they would name their pie. Next, they would create a list of ingredients. Once they have the ingredients they would write the recipe on how to make the pie. After they finish that they would draw a picture of their pie. You could then have each student share what they created.