Bully

October 1, 2012
This companion book to the documentary film Bully was edited by filmmaker Hirsch and writer/producer Lowen, with contributing chapters by a number of celebrities, authors, experts, government officials, and educators. Part homage to the film, part resource, the book interweaves the stories of children who have been bullied with practical information and advice for parents and other readers. Like the film, which presents an “uncensored, real-life portrayal of what it’s like to be a bullied child,” the text deals honestly and realistically with the bullying that is pervasive in American schools (13 million children will be bullied this year, the authors claim). While some chapters are more focused on the film itself, others zero in on such topics as bullying and children with autism spectrum disorders or learning disabilities. Particularly useful for parents are the chapters written by educational psychologist/author Michele Borba and clinical psychologist Peter Sheras, which provide a “crash course” on how to know if a child is being bullied and what to do about it. The text is also an excellent resource for educators; Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, pens a particularly insightful chapter. Readers who have seen the film will no doubt be interested to discover where its bullied children are now, but the text can also be read as an informative stand-alone resource.

September 1, 2012
The companion to the graphic 2011 documentary Bully, which premiered on the big screen after winning a hard fight for a PG-13 rating. With the assistance of freelance writer Santorelli (Baby Grand, 2012, etc.), editors Hirsch and Lowen dedicate the book to "the thirteen million children who will be bullied in the United States this year, as well as the generations of children who came before them." Not only is the bullying epidemic blighting the lives of the children who are involved, driving some to suicide, but it also leads to school shootings and other violent hate crimes. With the advent of 24/7 social networking, it has become even more invasive in children's lives--especially because bullies can target their victims anonymously. Several of the young people featured in the film, and their parents, tell their stories, including their reasons for participating and the aftermath. One of the most shocking stories is that of Tyler Long. Taunted for being a "geek and a fag" and ostracized, he hung himself; following the tragedy, the bullies who had tormented him went to school wearing nooses. The school district refused to participate in a community meeting addressed by Long's parents. The latter half of the book offers tips to parents on how to recognize symptoms that their children may be suffering from bullying--e.g., lack of friends, unwillingness to go to school, returning with lunches uneaten or torn clothing. The authors report that one main challenge children face is the refusal of parents to take them seriously when they try to confide their problems. A valuable resource that will help empower communities to deal with this deadly social plague.

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November 15, 2012

Editors Hirsch and Cynthia Lowen (coauthor, The Essential Guide to Bullying: Prevention and Intervention) with Dina Santorelli (coauthor, Good Girls Don't Get Fat: How Weight Obsession Is Messing Up Our Girls and How We Can Help Them Thrive Despite It) present a companion book to the 2011 documentary Bully and a national project of the same name that follows the release of the film and answers the question, "Now what?" Hirsch and Lowen filmed the documentary at schools in Iowa, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas, focusing on preteens who were bullied. Five kids are featured in the book, which covers events both at school and on school buses. Commentary from dozens of experts details how to recognize bullies, how not to be a bystander, what to say to those bullied and those bullying, and how schools and communities can put policies in place to end this practice. Adults who shake their heads and insist that "kids will be kids" will not solve the problem, according to the editors; more than 13 million kids will be bullied in the United States this year. Congressman Mike Honda (a Democrat from California), Dr. Robyn Silverman (parenting expert), Marlo Thomas (founder, Free To Be You and Me), and Dr. Peter Sheras (clinical psychologist) are among the contributors to this book. VERDICT With school underway (and October as National Bullying Prevention Month), this excellent title is sure to be in demand. (Bully, the documentary, is not yet available on DVD.)--Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, PA

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.