October serves as National Bullying Prevention Month, an event dedicated to raising awareness about the prevalence and the impact of bullying. This cause is vital, and in an effort to extend our support – both during the event, and after– we have curated a list of books that go beyond your standard school-bully story by delving into what can happen if you lead with empathy and kindness. (And some radical self-expression!) Whether you are a family member looking for your next read aloud book or an educator looking for your next all-school read, we hope these books will inspire you to take action and create a more inclusive, compassionate world for all. Let’s dive in:
Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome
In the midst of the Great Migration and the Chicago Renaissance, young Langston has just moved from Alabama in the wake of his mother’s passing. Starting a new school isn’t fun amid normal circumstances– and a couple of bullies have made Langston their newest target. It is dodging his bullies, however, that sends Langston stumbling into the Chicago Public Library. There, he discovers poetry by his namesake and a bridge that is capable of reaching his father amid their shared grief.
Save Me a Seat by Gita Varadarajan and Sarah Weeks
On the surface, Joe and Ravi could not be more different. While Joe has lived in the same town all his life, Ravi and his family have just immigrated from India. Joe struggles with an auditory processing disorder and Ravi, though he speaks perfect English, has a thick accent that makes him a target for classroom bullies. Particularly, a bully named Dillon Samreen. Together, Joe and Ravi manage to become friends and allies against Dillon, building to an unexpected but no less touching conclusion.
For decades, readers have been inspired by and fallen in love with Matilda– both the book and the character. Matilda is resourceful and loyal, with an incredible love for books. At home, she is dismissed by her parents who are too busy focusing on their get-rich-quick schemes. At school, Matilda must deal with the Trunchbull, her formidable headmistress. However, with the support of her teacher, Miss Honey, and her endless resourcefulness, Matilda manages to overcome more than her fair share of adversity.
Auggie Pullman was born with a craniofacial condition, something that prevents him from attending a “mainstream” school until fifth grade. He wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid… but Auggie’s classmates struggle to see past his extraordinary face. While Wonder begins in Auggie’s perspective – with no small amount of self-effacing jokes and honest reflections from Auggie– the narrative expands to paint a portrait of empathy, compassion, and (ultimately) acceptance.
A fall off a roof lands Chase in a coma and with a concussion– and with amnesia. Chase must try to make sense of his life when all thirteen years of it have been completely erased. His friends and classmates don’t quite know what to make of him, either: why is he being so polite? Why is he helping out at a retirement home? It turns out that Chase was a bully. A mean one, at that. As he continues to make sense of his memories, the question of his transformation’s sincerity remains: has he really gone from predator to defender or is this just another cruel joke?
The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez
On her first day at a new school, Malú dresses as her most authentic self: winged eyeliner, dark lipstick, a Blondie t-shirt, and silver Chuck Taylors. It upsets her when she’s pulled from class for being a distraction. But it’s not so bad, not when it sets Malú on a path to assembling a punk band of like-minded misfits to audition for the school talent show. When they’re barred from entering for being “too loud”, Malú and her pals are determined to launch their own Alterna-Fiesta, instead.
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Do you have any other recommendations for books that gently navigate bullying? Share them with us in the comments. Happy reading!
If you are a student, and you or someone you know is being bullied, please ask a trusted adult for help. (A teacher, guidance counselor, or a family member.) You do not have to navigate these waters alone. Please visit: https://www.stopbullying.gov/
