Dear Bully: Seventy Authors Tell Their Stories
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Product Details
| ISBN-13: | 9780062060976 |
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| Publisher: | HarperCollins Publishers |
| Publication date: | 09/06/2011 |
| Pages: | 384 |
| Sales rank: | 207,043 |
| Product dimensions: | 5.30(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.00(d) |
| Lexile: | 850L (what's this?) |
| Age Range: | 14 - 17 Years |
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Dear Bully
4.5 out of 5
based on
0 ratings.
36 reviews.
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I heard about this book through a couple of Facebook connections, and I immediately knew I had to get my hands on this book as soon as it came out. I am VERY glad that I did. I am a middle school teacher, and I see behavior that is clearly bullying, but most of what I see is "friendly fire" between students. It is sometimes difficult to see the line between playful banter among friends and hurtful remarks that really sting. This book helps us see some of those blurred lines more clearly. This book shows bullying in its various stages and in its various disguises. I have shared many of the stories in this book with my students as a read aloud, and it has sparked some good conversation. I think it has been helpful for them to see themselves in these stories, because sometimes they're the victim, sometimes they're the bystander, and sometimes they're the perpetrator. Bullying has gotten so out of control, and sadly, is part of the culture of our schools. It's time we stand up and speak up to end bullying, and this book can help.
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Bullying was once considered a normal part of growing up. Children who were bullied were told to ignore the bully, fight back, or walk away. Conflicting advice to be sure, but it was no big deal because eventually you grow up, move on, and the bullying stops. But bullying IS a big deal and today we, as a society, are much more aware of the problems that fester around it. With cyber bullying and the deaths of bullied teens reaching national newscasts, bullying has gained much more attention. Now, a wonderful new book for teens has just been published, a book "co-authored" by 70 different authors who share their stories. Dear Bully takes the experiences of various people, from around the country, and various walks of life, and brings their stories together in one excellent book. The authors openly discuss their torments, and tormentors, for all to see. The first story, "Dear Bully," written by Laurie Faria Stolarz, a bestselling author and victim of bullying, grabs the reader on the first page. Stolarz writes about her time in middle school, when a bully, one year her senior, made riding the school bus sheer hell. We see the stupidity of bullying, and how adults, who promised to "take care" of the problem, promised much but did little. This is just the first of 70 stories that will grab you, make you cringe along with the victims of bullying, and wonder at the anger behind the vacant faces of the bullies. The authors of these stories include not just the victims, but also parents and friends, the accomplices of bullies as well as bullies themselves. Hearing from the bullies is eye-opening as we get a look at what made them pick on other children, from those who admit "I don't know why I did it," to "she was different/fat/new to our school." As adults, we can look back on these reasons and realize how foolish they are but for pre-teens/teens, being different is all it takes. The essays, all fairly brief, were engaging and interesting. "The Eulogy of Ivy O'Connor" by Sophie Jordan, with negative words crossed out of the speech - creepy, strange, different, etc. - and replaced with positive words -guilt to fondness, crap to stuff - really resonated. So too did the many stories of adults admitting to the wrongs of their teen years. Dear Bully would be an excellent tool to aid in classroom discussions on bullying. Given the relatively brief essays, one or two could be discussed per day or each student could read one and present their findings to the class. Most importantly, teens reading this book, particularly those who are the victims of bullies, will see that they are not alone. Dear Bully does not attempt to offer solutions to bullying but rather, to let bullied children know they are not alone. There are resources listed at the back of the book for more information, and a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Dear Bully are being donated to the anti-bullying organizaiton "Stomp Out Bullying." Quill says: While Dear Bully will not solve the serious problem of bullying, it will definitely aid teens in dealing with the fallout from being bullied.
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Very sad book
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Sad but inspiring
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THERE IS NO IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE WORD ITSELF SAYS I'M POSSIBLE!!!!!!!!!!
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Being bullied takes a toll on a person weather its a so called friend a stranger your boyfriend/ girlfriend or even a family member it hurts and it leads you to depression, or even worse take your own life or take anothers i know its all happened to me but you know something who cares what other people think of youvive over come all those obstacles im still here i was suicidal and i was only fourteen and it was a boyfriend who made me feel like i wasnt good enough for the world but a whole year later i feel sorry for him because if his self esteem is so low that he would lower anothers to feel good then hes the one that needs help not me but here i am 15 and care free im a normal teen going out with friends and being a child while i still can so please take it from me dont listen to bullies they dont know the real you
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“YOU ARE NOT ALONE.” Between the two covers, a group of 70 young adult authors who observed, experienced, and even perpetrated bullying in their youth share some of their darkest moments which are conveyed to readers through a collection of stories, poems, and letters. With the hope of enlightening and inspiring victims of bullying, this heart-wrenching book that can be humorous at times providing not only comfort, but also encouragement to break the silence which all too often prevails.
Dear Bully is the nonfiction equivalent of a page-turner, but is better read in smaller doses due to the nature of the book. Popular contributors include: Heather Brewer, Carolyn Mackler, Lauren Oliver, Carrie Ryan, R. L. Stine, and Laurie Faria Stolarz. The contributors quickly bring readers into their confidence and bare the secrets of the vulnerable times in their lives. The book is broken into several sections or themes: Dear Bully; Just Kidding; Survival; Regret; Thank You, Friends; Insight; Speak; Write It; and, It Gets Better. Included at the back of the book, there’s even a section of resources for teens as well as educators and parents.
School Library Journal recommended this book for grade 9 and up; however, based on many of the stories shared middle school students could definitely relate to this book. Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories would make a phenomenal addition to any public library and school media center; parents, guardians, teachers, and anyone else who works with youth could benefit from reading this book. 5/5 stars.
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As the subtitle states, seventy authors provided their story of either being bullied or bullying someone. There is a common theme that it will get better once you are an adult so hang in there, but also admit that is not easy for a middle school student to wait a decade to be free. Other themes include finding an adult who will listen and act though once again that is not easy to achieve. The target audience of teenagers will struggle to read more than a few entries as most are too short and never quite drill down deep. The exceptions to prose are the comic strips; Cecil Castellucci and Mo Willems provide insightful looks at bullying that the younger teens especially will appreciate. Few of the contributions provide insight into the motives of why they were bullies though some of the victims offer their opinions. Bottom line is this anthology is a terrific tool for the counselor who can customize the entries to the needs of the victimized student.
Harriet Klausner
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Dear BullyReviewed by Moirae the fates book reviews.You are not aloneDiscover how Lauren Kate transformed the feeling of that one mean girl getting under her skin into her first novel, how Lauren Oliver learned to celebrate ambiguity in her classmates and in herself, and how R.L. Stine turned being the ¿funny guy¿ into the best defense against the bullies in his class.Today¿s top authors for teens come together to share their stories about bullying¿as silent observers on the sidelines of high school, as victims, and as perpetrators¿in a collection at turns moving and self-effacing, but always deeply personal.(Synopsis provided by goodreads)When I first heard that one of my favorite authors contributed to this anthology, I wanted to read it. I enjoyed this book when I read some of the authors stories I couldn't believe how open these authors were sharing their personal stories and reaching out to people.One I enjoyed a lot was Lauren Kate's story, she opened up more on how she came to write The Betrayal of Natalie Hargrove.R.L Stien had a moving story in here as well. I think this is a book that should be read by everyone child, parent teacher everyone. It's deeply moving and very emotional. A wonderful anthology. The stories are only about 3-5 pages long each and with each new story it's a new voice so it's easy to read the book in one sitting.The best part is a portion of the money from the book is donated to charity.Hardcover: 384 pages Publisher: HarperTeen (September 6, 2011) ISBN-10: 0062060988Author: 70 different authorsCover art: I don't like it much I think it's a little corny.Over all rating: **** out of 5 starsObtained: My local library.
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70 authors came together to tell their stories. Most are about being bullied. Some areabout being the bully. Some are about not stopping a bully or helping the bullied. These are painful memories to be sure, but they all come to the conclusion--it get'sbetter and you do survive and can thrive. In the wake of so many child/teen suicidesthat have their roots in bullying, these authors chose to make their stand. Here aresome of the statistics that the book starts out with:--Every 7 minutes a child is bullied on a school playground, with more than 85% of thoseinstances occurring without any intervention.--On a daily average 160,000 children miss school because they fear they will be bulliedif they attend classes.--On a monthly average 282,000 are phsically attacked by a bully--A child commit suicide as a direct result of being bullied once very half hour, with19,000 bullied children attempting to commit suicide over the course of one year.These writers have taken a stand. It's time for all of us to do so as well.
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"Everybody hurts somedays, it's okay to be afraid. Everybody hurts. Everybody screams. Everybody feels this way, it's okay." - Avril Lavinge, Everybody Hurts. I think those lines can sum up all the words that these authors have taken time to write. You are not alone. Whether you may be a bystander, a victim, or a bully, you're not the only one. These stories that each author has put down on paper are powerful and beyond worth reading. I feel that it's a must because bullying has become such a dangerous thing nowadays and it's about time people knew the gravity of this problem.Ellen Hopkins opens up the book with her own experiences and to me, shocking, awakening, eye opening facts. Trust me, those facts must not be ignored. Bullying has been happening for a long time, and I honestly don't see why it happens. Wars, hunger, poverty, they're the inevitable. But this, bullying, is not.In Dear Bully 70 authors share their painful and personal stories on the topic of bullying. Their words and stories were so moving and real, by page twenty-eight and twenty-nine, I was bawling my eyes out. These authors have been through such harsh situations. But you know what? They survived it. They survived, and now they live to tell these stories. Stories that can give one comfort and the strength they need to get through this horrible situation that is bullying.I confess, that I have been all three--a bystander, a victim, and a bully. And I've got a long way to go, still. These authors have provided me with stories that helped me gather all the broken pieces of me that shattered when I underwent bullying, and it's helping me prevent myself from bullying others and telling the bullies to STOP. Because bullying is hazardous thing, hazardous to the point where lives are lost.Dear Bully, gives hope, strength, and the sense that you aren't the only one going through this. I don't think people understand how bad bullying is, and maybe this book will make them understand. I wish this book had been available to me when I was going through a hard time in my life when I was silently hurting. What these authors have done, with just the simplest act of sharing their stories, is a very notable thing in my book. Who knows? It could even save a life.Really, seriously, honestly: Buy this book. Read it. Savor it. Share it. It's worth everything single cent. And, a portion of the book's proceeds will be donated to Stomp Out Bullying. How great is that? Now go get the book!
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I have been awaiting the release of this book ever since I first heard about it. Now that I have read through my own copy... how to begin my review. *inhales and exhales* We've all been there in some form or fashion whether we are the bullied, the bully, or the bystanders. I can sum the whole situation up into 2 words: bullying sucks. Personally, the only times I can recall was when I was bullied, though there might have been a time when I was the bully. It's hard to forget the feelings you experience at that time even now 15 years after the fact. But in all honesty, I think Dear Bully is a wake-up call, one that is sorely needed in this world.Now, some readers might dread having those feelings dredged back up from the tiny recesses of their minds that they've shoved those painful memories inside. And I've already seen reviews criticizing the book for that fact or that those who really need to read it won't. Even if most of the bullies don't read it (and they really don't know what they're missing out on), as long as it speaks to just one child, one teenager, one adult, I do believe it would make a difference. To read about authors bearing their souls, revealing those painful memories that they have had to carry makes them all the more real to me rather than just names of people whose work I love reading. That makes them almost more real in my eyes than seeing them at a library conference or a book signing. Because they have been there just as I have been there and just as most of us have been there.There are so many great letters, stories, and poems within Dear Bully, but one of the stories I find the most memorable is the one by Cecil Castellucci called "They Made Me Do It and I'm Sorry." I think it stuck with me most because I love graphic novels, and that was how Castellucci chose to tell her story with illustrations by Lise Bernier. What really struck me about this story was how within a group of six friends, five would choose to "freeze out" one for a time. And once that one was let back into the group, the others would behave as if nothing had happened... before freezing out another. Watching how friends could do this to one another is baffling to say the least, but the illustrations really hammer the situation home. I think my only complaint about Dear Bully is why there haven't been more books of its kind before. The bullying situation is nothing new. It happened when I was a kid, it happened when my parents were kids, and it will most likely keep happening until someone chooses to stand up and say, "Stop. It's not okay to do this." The logical part of me knows it won't happen overnight, but the bullying will continue if we don't keep bringing it up. I will definitely recommend this to any parent, teacher, and librarian because it needs to be read. The stories need to be heard.
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Book Title: Dear BullyAuthor: Megan Kelley Hall and Carrie JonesPublished By: HarperCollins PublishersGenre: Non fictionRecommended Age: Any AgeReviewed By: Emily Tuley / AngelsCryHavocBlog Reviewed For: Great Minds Think Aloud Literary CommunityRating: 5 RavensAfter dealing with some bullying issues with my daughter at her school and remembering things from my old days reading more about it in the news and Online problems we are all facing or once faced in our lives I saw this book and just had to read it. I was looking for insight and some inspiration on how to help myself, my daughter and relief from some painful memories from the past and it was this book that helped the most. I found it inspiring uplifting and even in some areas a little sad when all variations of the situation was laid out by the 70 authors in this book and the two who compiled them together to make it a wonderful read. Each story took you through the life of the author what they endured or what someone they knew endured and how they are doing or what happened later in life to them. It let you know that nothing and noone is perfect so you shouldn¿t try to make yourself perfect and that life is what you make it. Inspiring stories and poems from every one I read it¿s definitely a book that would make you all feel a little soothing to that soul and maybe just maybe help you learn to let somethings in the past go.
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The statistics are staggering, jaw-dropping things. "Every seven minutes a child is bullied on a school playground, with more than eighty-five percent of those instances occurring without any intervention." Sure, everybody has probably dealt with a bully or been a bully sometime in their life, but bullying is so ingrained in our consciousness that it's foolishly viewed as some twisted rite of passage, a character-building opportunity to emerge on the other side as a stronger, thicker-skinned person, a person better equipped to deal with the difficult people life is guaranteed to throw at you. Instead, though, we have hundreds of thousands of kids who are terrified to go to school lest they be bullied. Instead, we have kids who have been so isolated and demeaned by bullies at school and online that "a child commits suicide once every half hour" and more than 100,000 who bullies have made to feel so powerless that they feel they need to carry guns to school. If merciless torture of anyone who is even the slightest bit different is a rite of passage, then it is surely a rite that is far too heavy a burden on kids growing up today. Dear Bully is a compilation of 70 stories from YA authors about their experiences with bullying both as the bullied and as the bully. It is an assurance to kids that have been made to feel totally alone that they aren't and call to action for a nation that has turned a blind eye to bullying for too long.The stories in Dear Bully come from a variety of well-known YA authors including Lauren Oliver, R.L. Stine, Alyson Noel, Megan McCafferty, and many more come in a variety of forms, as poetry, as stories, as letters, and even in pictures. Each is powerful in its own way, and the collection as a whole runs the full gamut of emotions, causing horror at the cruelty kids are capable of, tears at the bravery and kindness of those courageous few who were willing to step into the crosshairs of bullies to rescue their friends, and even smiles of relief at these many talented authors who emerged from their torturous days of middle and high school to take refuge in and write stories that would help the kids that they once were learn that the lies bullies tell couldn't be further from the truth. If I have one complaint about some of the stories, it is that they depict mind-blowing abuse, show teachers and parents ignoring or brushing off bullying situations, describe how totally isolating bullying can be and then exhort kids to step up to stop it. While I understand the sentiment, this is one of the things that is so easy to write about in hindsight but so difficult to do at the time of the bullying. It's easy to say that you should tell the teacher or you should befriend the bullied or you should stand up to the bully, and really these are the kinds of things that should be done and should make a difference. That said, after you've just told a story where a bully beat you up or told atrocious lies about you that alienated all your friends, and the teacher said, "pull yourself together" when told the situation, it seems like a pretty hard sell to get kids to take a stand. Aside from this one gripe that only applies to a few of the pieces, I would say that this collection is a must read for everyone who has ever dealt with a bully, been a bully, had a friend or a child who is or might be a victim of a bully's cruelty. The stories succeed in showing bullied kids that they aren't alone, that things do get better. Others reveal the intense regret that schoolyard bullies might one day come to feel once they emerge from an environment where being unique couldn't be more wrong. All endeavor to show kids that regardless of the pain words might inflict, they are worthwile and loved, that it's possible to stand up for themselves, and that doing what's right, even when it might be downright terrifying, can be the most liberating of all.
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An absolutely critical book for teenagers today I believe. Dear Bully shares the real experiences of 70 authors, from being bullied, to seeing bullying happen in the school yard, and some of those that were the bullies and hearing their experiences. I wish this book existed 10 years ago when I was in high school ¿ as someone who was a bit overweight and came from a family that didn¿t have much money I was often talked about and excluded. To have a book like this give me some hope at the time would have been like gold to me.Whilst some stories pehaps aren¿t as strong as others, collectively the book has a big impact and certainly I believe will help save lives and I hope¿. will help to reinforce that message that bullying is not on.An important book with some very clear messages throughout. All teens should read this. From 13 through to 18 it¿s all relevant.
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The Good Stuff Extremely personal tales and I admire some of the authors bravery in coming forth with their at times extremely heartbreaking tales Powerful messages will hopefully help teens who are bullied or have been bullies themselves Portion of proceeds got to Stomp Out Bullying Really emphasizes the need for better trained educators and counselors Inspirational Heartrendingly sad at times Found many new authors that I want to read because of their history A couple of graphic novel style stories Really did like the mix of different types of tales: Letters, Stories, Poetry and Graphic stories Brilliant idea - would have liked even more authors to take part - Hopefully will make a difference to children struggling with bullying and maybe a bully will see themselves in a story and make a change The story "The Eulogy of Ivy O'Connor" is extremely painful and uncomfortable to read, but the message is an important one Kiersten White's tale is very humanThe Not so Good Stuff There was poetry and not my thing - but if you like it that is totally cool and they are well done The odd story didn't really fit it, but hey that is just getting a little pickyFavorite Quotes/Passages"I don't spill guts, I spill other people's guts - my characters'. It's safer that way. But as I write this, I'm aware that by walking into my own hot, steaming discomfort, you might feel that someone else gets it - gets you." Lisa Haines"So I did the easy thing. I walked away. And I've always regretted it. I wonder how much of an impact I could have made if I'd really always had something to say. If I'd said the things that mattered, stood up for people who actually needed my help, gotten involved instead of keeping my head down." Kiersten White"And what you get right down to it, that's really what life is; one long opportunity to find "your" people. The ones who make your world a better place and the ones for whom you can make the world a little brighter as well." Michelle ZinkWho should/shouldn't read Everyone - book suggests 12+ -- but I think kids even as young as 10 could pick up something Required book for every library - these are messages that bring hope to those who have suffered that they will make it through and may even become stronger because of it4.75 Dewey'sI received this from HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review
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My name is sarah mcfalls and im a sophmore this year and my freashmen year was horriable and so was 1st grade all the way to now. Im 15 turnning 16 in jan. And i have ADHD ADD ODD and FAS. So im different but in a good way im on the swim team at school. And people have been saying to me that i should kill myself. And in 8th grade someone posted stuff on google images saying go f...ing kill urself and no one likes u so go take pills. And thats not all of it theres alot more that happend to me from then and now
Sarahbear
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When i waz in 6th me, my friends, and our boyfriends were bullys and we hurt peoples fellings all the time. Until one day me and my boyfriend were holding hands and going to class and my boyfriend got picked on becouse he was shorter than me an from then on we havent bullied anyone.
YET
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I wont bully you. You seem pretty cool. Sorry about all the other people who do.
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Lets just say weve all been bullied one time or the other and its not fun at all. Trust me. Ive been bullied for 3 years cause i acted weird. I have ADHD ADD RAD PTSD OCD AND DYSLEXIA. Let me tell u something its not fun at all. But now im the cool kid in school. Everyone wants to be my friend but sometimes i say no. It will get better. It always does
Livewild
Hotish
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Stay strong
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For any one who has been bullied like me . I know how it can be.
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I found this book to be very eye opening. It's spoken from all points of view. As a parent i learned to see signs.. As a person who works in the school system i realized that maybe if we step in when certain things happen, some children may be alittle bit happier. I enjoyed this book very much. It may seem heavy at first but go to the end...
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