Theme:Bullies On the Brain
Title: Home Truths Author: Jill MacLean
Level: Grade 7 and up
Fiction, 2012 Red Maple Nominee
Genre: Realsitic Fiction, Social Issues, Bullying
Genre: Realsitic Fiction, Social Issues, Bullying
Brick MackAvoy is a 14-year-old bully. He bullies any kid that is smaller than him. Why? This is because he is being bullied as well. Not by any kid, but by his own father. He plans to run away the second he turns sixteen. So until that time comes, he decides to save up as much money as he can so that when he does run, he will be well on his feet. However, when he starts to befriend the neighbours, his secrets start to become exposed. It gets even worse when he finds out his father even hits his younger sister who is only four years old. When troubles from the local gang come his way, Brick decides to learn karate so he will be able to protect himself and his sister at all times. Then he starts to wonder, will he use karate on his own father to protect himself?
(By Sabrina D.)
Home Truths is about a teenage boy named Brick who is having a rough time at home; his father is abusive and his mother doesn't care about him. However, there is one important person in his life that he cares about and that is his little sister, Cassie. Brick needs to stop his father's abuse towards him or someone else that he loves will be next. Even though Brick is being bullied, it takes him a while to acknowledge that he himself is a bully toward his peers. Brick has a plan in mind to escape his father but as he becomes social with the neighbours he finds himself in deeper trouble and a reality hits him - his plan might not work. Brick has to decide between staying and protecting his sister or running away. Which one will he choose?
(By Julia D.)
Title: Good-Bye Bully Machine Authors: Debbie Fox and Allan L. Beane(By Sabrina D.)
Home Truths is about a teenage boy named Brick who is having a rough time at home; his father is abusive and his mother doesn't care about him. However, there is one important person in his life that he cares about and that is his little sister, Cassie. Brick needs to stop his father's abuse towards him or someone else that he loves will be next. Even though Brick is being bullied, it takes him a while to acknowledge that he himself is a bully toward his peers. Brick has a plan in mind to escape his father but as he becomes social with the neighbours he finds himself in deeper trouble and a reality hits him - his plan might not work. Brick has to decide between staying and protecting his sister or running away. Which one will he choose?
(By Julia D.)
Level: All Ages
Nonfiction
Have you ever been bullied? Are you a bully? Do you know someone who has been bullied? Have you ever tried to understand bullying? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions then this book is for you!
Debbie Fox and Allan Beane do a great job of explaining how and why bullying exists in our society, especially in schools. They also give us great suggestions on what to do about this problem. Bullying is a very serious issue and we should all try to understand it because maybe one day we can help someone in trouble, including ourselves.
Title: Leaving Fletchville Author: Rene Schmidt
Level: Grades 7 and up
Fiction, 2010 Red Maple Nominee
Can a bully really change?
Brandon, who had a reputation in the school for being a bully, experienced an unexpected transformation. This story presents the world from a bully's point of view. And, if you're wondering what caused Brandon to change his behaviour and attitude, you'll find out in Leaving Fletchville. It takes a very unusual family, new to the school, to make him see the world in a different light. You'll be surprised!
Title: Stitches Author: Glen Huser
Level: Grade 5 & Up!
Fiction!
Did you ever think bullying could go so far that it could almost end a life? Well, it can, and it did in the breathtaking story Stitches. In this book Travis and his best friend Chantelle, also known as ”the ugly baby,” are constantly being bullied. Well, if that’s not enough, even his Aunt Kiatleen is being bullied by her spouse, Mike! Find out how family, friends, and stitching puppets help Travis through these difficult times!
(By Valerie A.)
Title: Egghead Author: Caroline Pignat
Level: Grade 7 & 8 Fiction, 2010 Red Maple Nominee
Bullying is painful for anyone, especially for Will Reid. In this story Egghead, Will is being bullied and can’t seem to do anything to stop it. Will’s daily life involves verbal threats, physical harm, and embarrassment. His best friend Katie is always there to stand up for him, but lately it seems like she’s getting bullied herself. Then there’s Devan, one of the bullies who is struggling with the fact that maybe bullying is wrong. This book is an amazing in depth story that is told from all three perspectives; a bully, a bystander, and the innocent target. Readers will find this book an emotional and thoughtful experience.
(By Sabrina D.)
