5 Must-Read Books About Bullying for Your Middle Schooler
BLAIR SHARP
August 15, 2024
August is Don’t Be a Bully Month, and we have more summer reading recommendations for your family—this time, must-reads for your middle schoolers. But first, let’s chat about bullying.
The secret to understanding what your kids are going through? Just ask! You might be surprised by what you can learn through regular conversations with your child. You want to be one of the people on their list as a go-to for sharing anything without worry of being judged or lectured, especially while they’re figuring out that awkward “teenager” thing.
And let’s be real: technology is great, but it can also cause some serious drama for kids. Bullying isn’t always obvious, so make sure your kiddo knows what to look out for. And chat about everything from cyberbullying and rumors to those sometimes-tricky social situations.
Set a positive example for them, too! Be nice to the people in your family and others, especially those who are a little bit different from you. Small acts of kindness can go a long way. And you never know—a simple compliment could totally make someone’s day.
Eventually, kids will have to be on their own. Give them some phrases they can use when confronting a bully, and remind them that reporting any bully-like behavior at school is always the right thing to do. Alright, now for the books!
Twerp
Inspired by the author’s childhood, Twerp is a super relatable story about Julian, a kid in trouble for bullying. His teacher wants him to process the situation and learn from his mistakes through writing.
Fish in a Tree
Ally has dyslexia but is able to hide it by being disruptive in class. A new teacher sees through her clever antics and helps Ally grow her confidence and see all the possibilities in front of her.
Starfish
Ellie has been bullied about her weight since fifth grade, and her mom is no help. She finds a safe space in her swimming pool, somewhere she can feel truly weightless. With the support of her new neighbor, her dad, and her therapist, Ellie learns to be unapologetically herself.
Restart
After a serious head injury, football star Chase has forgotten everything, even his own name. And without knowing who you were before, how can you be sure of who you are now? Chase gets a clean start and a second chance at the kind of person he wants to become.
Turtle Boy
Will Levine is a Jewish seventh grader bullied for the way his chin looks. While doing a community service project, Will meets RJ, a boy sick with an incurable disease who tells Will about his bucket list. While on a mission to check off everything on RJ’s list, Will learns how short life actually is.
Remind your kids how important it is to be kind to others, embrace our differences, and help people who need it. If you or your child need support with any form of bullying, reach out to someone or call a helpline.
What conversations are you having with your kids about bullying?
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