Bullying

Children's Literature - Deanna D'Antonio

Bullying is one in a series of six books published by Black Rabbit/Arcturus to answer the questions of curious or troubled teens about sensitive subjects; unfortunately, the series as a whole falls far short in providing the support, understanding and practical advice intended. While the inclusion of hot lines, websites and titles for further reading are appreciable essentials, the book itself acts as a mere stepping stone and not the advertised font of in-depth information. The format (magazine style) makes for an amalgamation of disjointed facts with all the permanence of a text message. The advice itself, while sound, is shallow. Kids need guidance in the steps beyond merely telling a trusted adult (especially if they don't feel there is one available, ostensibly their reason for consulting the book in the first place); they need answers beyond placing their reliance in anti-bullying policies that may or may not exist within their schools or may exist in the student handbook, on paper, only. For all the book's detractions, there are some redeemable qualities. Delineating the various forms bullying might take outside of acts of physical aggression (i.e. cyber bullying, discriminatory practices, harassment) is helpful. The book also includes a section that addresses bullies themselves, in a non-accusatory tone and language, shedding light on behaviors they might not be aware of or never thought to examine. The role of bystanders, as both unintentional victims and as inadvertent bullies through complicit acts of silence, is also brought up. Advice is provided for faculty, teachers, administrators, counselors, etc., for treating bullying behavior without falling prey to labeling. Addressing the problem on a school-wide scale and challenging its social acceptance is noted, with ideas presented for the creation of bullying court or an anonymous bullying box, where kids can voice any concerns without fear of retaliation. However, these recourses are given mere mention (literally, just a sentence or two) with no vital follow-up for how to implement and sustain such systems. In all, Bullying is a place to start, but leaves kids and their caretakers to go the rest of the journey decidedly alone. Reviewer: Deanna D'Antonio

VOYA - Jan Chapman

This six-volume Teen FAQ series provides quick facts on a variety of health and social topics pertinent to teenagers, including smoking, bullying, alcohol, keeping healthy, puberty, and drugs. The volume about bullying, certainly a topic much in the news today, covers the most recent manifestations of bullying, such as cyberbullying, and gives basic information on bullying and how to respond to bullies. The book even has a chapter devoted to bullies, giving information on why teens may feel compelled to bully others and how this behavior harms not only the victim but also the perpetrator. Each chapter is illustrated with color photographs and sidebars that present statistics, quotes, personal stories, and health facts. Unfortunately, bullying based on sexual orientation is given short shrift, despite the fact that it is one of the most common and vicious manifestations of this behavior. This series does a creditable job of covering these topics in a highly readable presentation that would be useful for short reports. The books have appealing and highly visual covers, which might tempt a teen to pick them up for information, and each volume includes an index, glossary, and additional resources. The books do offer solutions to some of the most serious problems that teens face today, but they are not comprehensive enough to be truly helpful for a teen actually struggling with these issues. They would be a useful supplement to other series nonfiction books on these topics. Reviewer: Jan Chapman