“Children should be able to live a life free from bullying and harassment and it is time that we all took a stand against this.” – Katherine Jenkins
Student bullying is one of the most frequently reported discipline problems at schools as well as colleges. According to the report from National Education Association, 21% of elementary schools, 43% of middle schools, and 22% of high schools reported problems with bullying in 2005-06.
Types of bullying may include teasing, leaving someone out on purpose, and taking or breaking someone’s things. Classroom management strategies play a crucial role in preventing bullying. Teachers can make their students read certain anti-bullying books that keep their students stay active and reduce stress.
Here is a list 14 anti-bullying books every child should read.
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1. Chrysanthemum
Written by Kevin Henkes, Chrysanthemum is a school story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance. The story is about a young girl Chrysanthemum, who is teased for her name at school. Student at her school teases her to be named after a flower, which makes her hate the name. But later students began to accept her after learning that a teacher who they admire also has a long first name and is also named after a flower.
2. Edwardo: The Horriblest Boy in the Whole Wide World
Edwardo, an ordinary boy is the main character in this book written by John Burningham. Though he is occasionally rough and noisy, he was pointed out as the cruelest boy in the world. But later his actions were considered positively and he was called as the loveliest boy in the world.
3. The Recess Queen by Alexis O’neill
Mean Jean is the schoolyard bully, whom every other students are scared of. She is the one who kicks, swings and bounces before anyone else. But this gets changed after a new student Katie Sue arrives. Not aware of the ground rules Katie kicks first and them invites Mean Jean to play together, which changes the situation.
4. The Juice Box Bully
Written by Bob Sornson & Maria Dismondy, the story is more about the unity in a classroom and how Pete, who has a bad behavior, finally decides to give the group’s promise a try.Despite Pete’s rude behavior class treats him kindly which changes the boy.
5. Enemy Pie
This story by Derek Munson is about Jeremy Ross who feels slighted by the new neighbor. Jeremy accepts dad’s offer to prepare a new recipe to get rid of the enemy, which is Enemy Pie. However, the part of this secret recipe is to spend an entire day playing with the enemy. The games turn his best enemy into his best friend.
6. The Hundred Dresses
This childrens’ book by Eleanor Estes centers around Wanda Petronski, a Polish-American girl who is teased by her classmates for wearing the same old faded blue dress every day to school. As she can’t bear the teasing any more she lies that she owns one hundred dresses at home, which makes others bully her mercilessly. Later her father decides that she must leave that school. But later the students who felt kind towards her writes a kind letter to her old address, but she has already moved away.
7. Each Kindness
Written by the Newbery Honor-winning author Jacqueline Woodson. Chloe and her friends dislike Maya, who wears old dress, eats odd food and behaves quite strange. And one day Maya leaves school. It’s when Chloe’s teacher teaches a lesson about kindness, Chloe realizes the value of lost opportunity for friendship.
8. The Invisible Boy
This Trudy Ludwig’s book is the story of young Brian, a quiet boy, who was ignored by other students and even the teacher. It is the new boy Justin, who notices Brian’s kindness and his talent in drawing. Justin turns into Brian’s savior and this provides him a way to shine.
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9. Bully
The book by Patricia Polacco is about cyberbullying and will be a good one to read for increasingly digitally-savvy students. Lyla, who is new at school become friends with another new comer Jamie. By scoring top grade on an essay, Lyla manages to get attention of three popular girls in school. Slowly she leaves Jamie behind. But when she is wrongly accused of stealing a test, she finds herself being bullied on Facebook and online.
10. Wonder
The book written by R.J. Palacio, the story centers on August Pullman (Auggie) who is born with a facial deformity. For the same reason, his parents home-schooled him. But later he’s being sent to a real school in his fifth grade. The story includes certain sentimental situations where some kids use hateful language, and some people suggest that Auggie is mentally deficient.
11. Thirteen Reasons Why
This book by Jay Asher provides positive messages about the importance of treating people with kindness. A mysterious box that Clay Jensen finds while returning home from school includes few cassettes that discusses thirteen reasons that makes a girl in his school commit suicide.
12. Dear Bully
A must-read book for teens written by Dawn Metcalf, it includes 70 heartfelt stories about bullying in this collection. The stories were shared by top young adult authors.
13. Tease
The book by Amanda Maciel includes real-life incidents, where a teenage girl named Sara Wharton faces criminal charges. The charge she faces is for bullying after a classmate Emma Putnam commits suicide. Now she feels guilty as her peers, community and media points out her mistake.
14. Side Effects May Vary
The book by Julie Murphy features the life of the 16 year old Alice, who decides to take revenge of her classmates after being diagnosed with leukemia. Realizing that she won’t leave for more, she hurts people for what they’ve done in the past. But finally she has to face the consequences.