I don’t usually review nonfiction middle grade books, but I think
this is an important book for middle schoolers to read, or to at least be aware
of in case they need it.
Description from Amazon.com:
The Survival Guide to Bullying covers everything from cyber
bullying to how to deal with fear and
how to create the life you dream of
having. From inspiring "roems" (rap poems), survival tips, personal
stories, and quick quizzes, this book will light the way to a brighter future.
This updated edition also features new, never-before-seen content including a
chapter about how to talk to parents, an epilogue, and an exclusive Q&A
with the author.
The Survival Guide to
Bullying was written by Aija Mayrock and published by Scholastic, Inc. in 2015.
My Take:
Since this book was written by a teen who was actually
bullied, in the very least it will help other kids in similar situations
realize they are not alone. Although there are other nonfiction books about
bullying, this one contains the author’s own rap-style poetry which demonstrate
one way to deal with negative feelings. I really liked the writing style and
the voice of this book, because you feel like you are talking to someone rather
than just getting advice. I wish I had a book to read like this when I was a
teen. Highly recommend this book for any school library or teen’s bookshelf.
Opening Line:
“Bullying was the dark cloud over my head.”
Quotes:
“But if you can find at least one thing at school that makes
you happy, it will power you through your entire day.”
“When I wanted to avoid bullying, I knew where to go. I was
safe there. And I was the happiest that I could be at school.”
“…it’s not easy to be
who you really are. It’s not always comfortable or “safe.” But when it’s good,
it’s really good.”
Other Info:
Aija Mayrock began writing the book when she was 16 and
finished it when she was 19. She is now a writer, actress and filmmaker.
You can find out more about Aija and her book in this interview:
That's great this was written by a teen. I bet kids dealing with this issue will find the advice more meaningful know the author is more their age.
ReplyDeleteBullying is a topic present in most schools. Sometimes so subtle it barely gets noticed. Nice to see this guide to help kids bring understanding to their own situation.
ReplyDeleteHow impressive that the author is so young and yet wrote what seems like an important book. I agree -- it would have been helpful to have a book like this when I was a teen. Bullying wasn't acknowledged much back then.
ReplyDeleteThis book is a must read. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that the book is written by a yound person might make kids more receptive to it. Thanks for highlighting this book.
ReplyDeleteThis looks interesting. I will have to check it out. Thanks for the review.
ReplyDeleteI love that this guide is written by someone so young -- adds to the credibility. I have reviewed so many bullying books/guides over the years and welcome each and everyone.
ReplyDelete