The Bully Menace: 13 Reads Before School Starts

Kids will be going back to school in a few weeks, and for some, it will be a fresh year of torment from bullies and cyberbullies. A startling number of young people who have been bullied have taken their own lives; for others, the immediate pain of the experience can cause them to retreat into isolation.

The problem is so pervasive, experts say, that 160,000 kids stay home from school every day to avoid their bullies. About 25 percent of students in grades six through 12 experience bullying in some form, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. About 20 percent of high school students are bullied.

As part of Patch’s yearlong look at bullying, we’ve assembled a reading list of some of the best books about bullying. They’re good reads, and even children who aren’t being bullied can benefit and learn more about empathy.

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Here are 13 books parents should consider adding to their kids’ summer reading lists, plus one they should read for themselves:

“One”
By Kathryn Otoshi
Grades preschool-2
Fiction

This book helps young readers learn about numbers, counting, and primary and secondary colors, but also about accepting one another’s differences and the power of one voice to make everyone count. In the story, hotheaded Red picks on quiet Blue, and though Yellow, Orange, Green and Purple don’t like it, they don’t speak up until One comes along and shows all the colors how to stand up, stand together and count.

“Chrysanthemum”
By Kevin Henkes
Grades preschool-3
Fiction

Written and illustrated by the celebrated creator of “Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse,” “Owen” and “Kitten’s First Full Moon,” this book tells a funny and honest story about teasing, self-esteem and acceptance. Chrysanthemum thinks her name is perfect until her first day of school, when kids start teasing her for being named after a flower. “Let’s smell her,” one student taunts, causing Chrysanthemum to wilt. The teasing continues. Will she blossom when she encounters a teacher named Delphinium Twinkle? The Horn Book said in a review: “Perfectly executed in words and illustration, ‘Chrysanthemum’ exemplifies Henkes's talent for creating true picture stories for young audiences.”

“The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others”
By Bob Sornson and Maria Dismondy
Grades preschool-5
Fiction

When Pete starts to act up and bully classmates at his new school, the other students get involved instead of being mere bystanders. They teach him about “The Promise” and urge him to shed his bad habits. There is a surprising twist to the story when one of the kids reminds the others that to keep “The Promise,” they should extend kindness to Pete while still insisting that he keep the class promise to treat one another with kindness.

“Each Kindness”
By Jacqueline Woodson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Grades kindergarten-3
Fiction

This winner of a Coretta Scott King Honor and the Jane Addams Peace Award sends a powerful anti-bullying message and the ripple effect it can have. Chloe and her friends won’t play with the new girl, Maya, and shun her when she tries to join their group. Eventually, she stops coming to school altogether and the teacher gives a lesson on how even a small act of kindness can change the world. Stung by the lost opportunity for friendship, Chloe thinks about how much better it would have been if she and her friends had shown kindness to Maya.

“Bully”
By Patricia Polacco
Grades 2-5
Fiction

In this book that takes on cliques and bullying, the author of the anti-bullying book “Thank You, Mr. Falker” tells the story of Lyla, who meets a great new friend, Jamie, on the first day of school. But then Lyla makes the cheerleading squad and is embraced by the cool clique, leaving Jamie behind. Lyla recognizes the girls who are bullying Jamie and others on Facebook are wrong and abandons the group of popular girls, who accuse Lyla of stealing a test and start bullying her online. The real thief is caught at the end of the story, which asks a crucial question about how bullied kids should respond.

“How to Be Cool in the Third Grade”
By Betsy Duffey
Grades 2-5
Fiction

Robbie York still wears superhero underwear and his mom still kisses him goodbye at the bus stop — so uncool, he decides as he comes up with a plan that involves shedding the name Robbie, getting jeans and avoiding bullies like Bo Haney. Kids will find their concerns addressed through humor on nearly every page — whether it’s surviving the daily grind of bullies, friendship issues or teacher mishaps.

“Blubber”
By Judy Blume
Grades 3-7
Fiction

This classic novel first published in 1974 explores what happens when bullying goes too far. Linda’s classmates bully her because she’s overweight, and no one stands up for her. What happens when the target is turned on one of the bullies surprises everyone. Blume said in an author’s note that she wrote the novel to open dialogue between kids, parents and teachers. “Bullying is often kept a secret by the kids who see it happening, and even by the person who’s being bullied. Being bullied feels so humiliating, it’s such a terrible and frightening experience, that kids are often afraid to tell anyone, even their parents.”

“Wonder”
By R.J. Palacio
Grades 4-6
Fiction

The No. 1 New York Times bestseller that inspired the “Choose Kind” movement tells the story of August Pullman, a fifth-grader who had been born without a face and wanted nothing more than to be treated the same as everyone else, but learns along the way that he can’t blend in because he was born to stand out. The book has been called a refreshing narrative full of heart and hope that leaves readers with a greater appreciation for the simple courage of friendship.

“Freak the Mighty”
By Rodman Philbrick
Grades 4-7
Fiction

This timeless story explores the unique friendship between a troubled, oversized boy and a tiny, physically challenged genius. Together, they go on fantastic adventures requiring bravery and perseverance to overcome bullies, physical dangers and other obstacles. Though written more than 20 years ago, it is especially timely during a time of increased bullying in today’s schools.

“The Survival Guide to Bullying: Written By a Teen”
By Aija Mayrock
Grades 5-6
Nonfiction

This book written from the perspective of a teen covers everything from how to deal with cyberbullying and fear to how to create the life you’ve dreamed of having. It includes inspiring “roams,” or rap poems, survival tips, personal stories and quick quizzes. The updated edition includes never-before-seen content, including a Q&A with the author and a chapter on how kids can talk to their parents about what they’re facing.

“Thirteen Reasons Why”
By Jay Asher
Grades 7 and up
Fiction

Asher’s book is controversial because it explores the topic of teen suicide. Written for a middle school and older audience, it comes with a discussion guide for parents. It is the story of Clay Jensen, who finds a mysterious box addressed to him on his porch. Inside are cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, a classmate and his crush, who had killed herself two weeks earlier. On the recordings, she details the 13 reasons she decided to end her life, and Clay is one of the reasons. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.

“Dear Bully: Seventy Bullies Tell Their Story”
By Dawn Metcalf
Grades 8 and up
Non-fiction

In this deeply personal collection of essays, 70 of today’s top authors for teens and young people share their stories of bullying, whether as bystanders who did nothing, bullies’ targets and even the bullies themselves. Some notable contributors include Lauren Oliver, R. L. Stine, Ellen Hopkins, Carolyn Mackler, Kiersten White, Mo Willems, Jon Scieszka and Lauren Kate. It comes with resources for teens, educators and parents, and suggestions for further reading. A New York Times review noted the anthology of personal essays “provides empathetic and heartfelt stories from each corner of the schoolyard: the bullied, the bystander and the bully himself” and says “their words will be a welcome palliative or a wise preemptive defense against the trials of adolescent social dynamics.”

“Tease”
By Amanda Maciel
Grades 9 and up
Fiction

Inspired by true events, “Tease” is a coming-of-age story Sara Wharton, a teenage girl who faces criminal bullying charges after a classmate, Emma Putnam, commits suicide. When Sara, her best friend and three other classmates are charged, Sara is the one who is ostracized by her peers, the community and the media, all of whom have pronounced her guilty. During the summer before her senior year filled with meetings with attorneys and a court-recommended therapist, Sara begins to reflect on her own role in the undeniable tragedy and contemplate how to move her life forward, even if it feels as if it is over.

FOR PARENTS

“Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed In Our All-About-Me World”
By Dr. Michelle Borba
Parents
Non-fiction

Published research shows teens are 40 percent less empathetic than they were three decades ago, which psychologist Dr. Michele Borba says goes hand-in-hand with a self-absorption epidemic, and leads to a range of problems from poor academic performance to increased bullying behavior and reduced ability to cope when things go wrong. In this book, Borda explores nine research-based habits to help build kids’ empathy and turn their focus from themselves and to others. Author Jean Twenge, who has written about the first generation to spend their entire adolescence in the age of the smartphone, hailed the book as “an absolute must-read” and “Chicken Soup” author Jack Canfield said it “will change your kids’ lives.”

THE BULLY MENACE: A PATCH SERIES

Over the coming months, Patch will continue its in-depth look at society’s roles and responsibilities in bullying, which can lead to a child's unthinkable decision to end their own life, in hopes we might offer solutions that save lives.

Do you have a story to tell? Are you concerned about how your local schools handle bullies and their victims?

Email us at [email protected] and share your views in the comments.

EARLIER IN THIS SERIES

The Bully Menace: When Kids Kill With Words

The Bully Menace: What Readers Said

Teen Tells Bullies In Video: 'Every Day I Wear Your Words'

Teen's 'I Wear Your Words' Video Inspires Nashville Songwriters

Bullies And Their Targets The Same: Digital Self-Harm Rising

Why These Kindergartners Start Each Day With A Respectful Handshake

Mallory Grossman’s Parents File Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Bullying In New York City Schools Never Worse: Survey

Bullied New Hampshire 5th Grader Makes Tearful Plea To School

Poetry Teacher Helps Bullied Kids Open Their Tortured Minds

Bullying Addressed After Shocking Video Of Teen's Savage Beating

Yankees Stand Up For Bullied Girl In Heartwarming Video

Dad: Daughter's Emotional Bullying Video Should Cue Other Parents

Parents Call Out Bullies In 12-Year-Old's Obituary

Bullied Kid With Unique Traits Adopts Cat That Looks Like Him

Kindness Challenge Confronts Bullying Where It Happens Most

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