It might be a shove in the hallway, a verbal taunt during lunch, an individual being cruelly excluded or ignored, or an offensive text message. Bullying continues to be an emotionally, physically, and psychologically devastating problem for children and teens, and an important issue for parents and school staff, particularly at the middle school level.

The Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2011, a report published by the National Center for Education Statistics, states that in 2009, 39 percent of sixth graders reported being bullied at school, with the number dropping only slightly for seventh and eighth graders.  A survey from the Cyberbullying Resarch Center done in 2007 shows that 43 percent of middle-school students polled indicated that they had experienced cyberbullying (an upsetting email, IM, or MySpace posting). Geared toward this age group and including both fiction and nonfiction, these books address the issue of bullying in a variety of ways, providing information, offering the comfort of knowing that others are facing similar challenges, and presenting strategies for surviving. Booktalk them and recommend them to teachers to share with their students to increase awareness and empathy, initiate discussion, and begin to bring about change.

Fiction

Bully. By Patricia Polacco. illus. by author. Putnam. 2012. Trade $17.99. ISBN 978-0-399-25704-9.

Gr 4-6–Two sixth-graders, both new to their school, become best buddies, but when Lyla is invited into the popular clique, the three girls pressure her to end her friendship with Jamie (“OMG, he is such a blimp”). After they post a spiteful photo on the boy’s Facebook page, Lyla finally has enough and cuts ties, but queen bee Gage has a plan for revenge, and only Jamie can save the day. Polacco pairs an accessible narrative with dynamic illustrations to depict a realistic middle-school milieu. Read this picture book aloud to launch conversation about the harmful effects of cyberbullying.

The Bully Book. By Eric Kahn Gale. HarperCollins/Harper. 2013. Trade $16.99. ISBN 978-0-06-22511-8; ebook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-06-212515-6.

Gr 5-7–Average-guy Eric Haskins suddenly finds himself the target of an elaborate bullying scheme that eventually encompasses his entire sixth-grade class and turns even long-time friends against him. Desperate to discover why he has been singled out as “the Grunt,” he becomes obsessed with tracking down a book rumored to have the answers. Eric’s journal entries candidly reveal the emotional fall-out of being victimized while his efforts to solve the mystery propel the action forward. Pages from “The Bully Book,” a ruthless kid-written manual on how to rule the school, add a chilling glimpse into a bully’s mindset and methods. Eric will win over readers with his resiliency, and what he ultimately learns–about himself and others–is empowering. Harrowing, riveting, and compellingly discussable.

Bystander. By James Preller. Feiwel and Friends. 2009. Trade $16.99. ISBN 978-0-312-37906-3; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-312-54796-7; eBook $7.99. ISBN 9781429954969.

Gr 6-9–The new kid in school, seventh-grader Eric Hayes is relieved when a popular and charismatic classmate strikes up a friendship, and at first looks the other way when Griffin bullies another boy. Gradually realizing that his silence makes him an accomplice, Eric summons the courage to take a stand, only to become the next victim. Combining well-developed characters with a keen understanding of the middle-school social strata, Preller makes Eric’s experiences painfully real and thoroughly believable.

Hokey Pokey. By Jerry Spinelli. Knopf. 2013. Trade $15.99. ISBN 978-0-375-83198-0; Library Edition $18.99. ISBN 978-0-375-93198-7; eBook $9.99. ISBN 978-0-307-97570-6.

Gr 5-7–This mesmerizing coming-of-age tale is set in a daydreamy world in which kids do as they please and adults are nowhere to be found. Jack, looked up to by all from the tiniest Snotsippers to the top-of-the-heap Big Kids, awakens one morning and just knows that something’s different. He spends one last epic day revisiting his favorite places and pastimes, redefining relationships, putting a bully in his place, and preparing to bid farewell to Hokey Pokey. Inventive, insightful, and bedazzling, this novel presents a potent look at how kids interact with one another, mature, and change.

Slob. By Ellen Potter. Philomel. 2009. Trade $16.99. ISBN 978-0-399-24705-7; ebook $13.99. ISBN 9781101050811.

Gr 6-8–Overweight and genius-smart, seventh-grader Owen is the bully magnet at his progressive New York City school, taunted by classmates, persecuted by a sadistic P.E. teacher, and now the victim of a lunch-sack Oreo thief. Not only is he determined to catch the cookie snatcher, but he’s also hard at work inventing a TV time-machine that will re-play the details of the tragic day his parents were murdered two years earlier. As events unfold and mysteries are slowly solved, Owen learns things about himself–and the bully he most fears–that will change his life forever. Wise and witty, Owen’s first-person narrative is packed with heartache and humor.

The Truth about Truman School. By Dori Hillestad Bulter. Albert Whitman. 2008. Trade $15.99.  ISBN 978-0-8075-8095-0; pap. $7.99. ISBN 978-0-8075-8096-7.

Gr 5-8–Feeling that the content of the school newspaper is being censored by the faculty advisor, eighth-grader Zebby Bower and her friend Amr Nasir launch an underground website and invite submissions, hoping to provide a forum where students can discuss the truth about their school. However, when a popular girl becomes the target of malicious anonymous posts, things escalate out of control. Accessibly told in the alternating voices of the parties involved, this fast-paced expose takes a timely look at the insidious nature of cyberbullying.

Warp Speed. By Lisa Yee. Scholastic/Arthur A. Levine. 2011. Trade $16.99. ISBN 978-0-545-12276-4.

Gr 5-9–Self-admitted sci-fi nerd and AV Club “geekazoid” Marley Sandelski spends much of seventh grade either ignored by the popular group or dogged by punch-throwing homework-grabbing goons. However, when his ability to outrun bullies catches the eye of the track coach, and he actually wins a race, his new and unexpected position at the top of the social heap leads to revelations about himself and his number-one tormentor. Told with plenty of humor (and entertaining Star Trek references), this fast-moving tale features true-life situations and characters and sends a powerful message about empathy.

Nonfiction

Girls against Girls: Why We Are Mean to Each Other and How We Can Change. By Bonnie Burton.  Zest. 2011. pap. $12.99. ISBN 978-0-970173-6-0.

Gr 6-10—Fast-reading chapters outline the reasons behind mean-girl behaviors, describe different types of “relational aggression” (malicious gossiping, social shunning, verbal abuse, etc.), provide easy-to-implement strategies for coping, and offer empowering methods to break the cycle of meanness and bring about change. Written in a chatty and encouraging tone, the well-researched text addresses readers directly and presents a plethora of useful tips, important resources, and positive solutions.

Teen Cyberbullying Investigated: Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin? By Tom Jacobs. Free Spirit. 2010. pap. $15.99. ISBN 978-1-57542-339-5.

Gr 7 Up—From creating a website containing personal attacks on school faculty, to posting fake profiles online, to using a cell phone to send nude photos, Judge Jacobs introduces landmark court cases involving tweens and teens engaged in cyberbullying. Accessibly written chapters present the facts, provide perspective on both victims and perpetrators, and prompt kids to think about how they would decide the case. Real-world experiences and consequences are clearly delineated, making readers aware of their rights and ascertaining why it’s never been more important “to think before you click.”

We Want You to Know: Kids Talk about Bullying. By Deborah Ellis. Coteau. 2010. Trade $21.95. ISBN 978-1-55050-417-0; pap. $14.95. ISBN 978-15-5050-4637.

Gr 5-9—Ellis presents interviews with young people between the ages of 9 and 19 who talk candidly about their experiences as victims, perpetrators, and bystanders. The straightforward first-person narratives tell it like it is, often shockingly, and the accounts are intimate, eye-opening, and surprisingly hope-filled. Black-and-white photos put faces to names, and “What Do You Think?” questions follow each piece. Additional quotes from kids around the world demonstrate the global nature of this issue. An excellent choice for group discussion.

Coming back to well-known characters and settings is also helpful to youngsters. Since they already know the backstory, struggling readers can concentrate on the new problem. Revisiting the familiar can also give fans a comforting feeling. How many times have you snatched a book off the shelf when you realized it was the next title in a favorite series? Get ready for long lines and pre-orders for these new entries in popular series.

This fall brings familiar characters back into our lives. Interestingly enough, several of these returns are not just the annual next-book-in-the-series. Many of these favorites-to-be are long-awaited sequels, prequels, or companions written by award-winning authors.

BERLIN, Eric. The Puzzler’s Mansion. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 2012. ISBN 9780399256974. JLG Level: ME : Mystery/Adventure Elementary (Grades 2-6)

Winston Breen returns in Book Two of The Puzzling World of Winston Breen series. During a weekend at a famous pianist’s mansion, Winston and his friends intend to solve the puzzles. When the prizes are stolen, the boys want to solve the mystery as well. Full of word games and other conundrums, this fast-paced mystery keeps readers guessing. Unique characters with their own agendas add to the entertainment value of the story. Who is stealing the prizes? Why would a famous musician give away his prized possessions? And how can a tiny toy piano be a clue?

Readers will want to go to the author’s website to print out the puzzles sprinkled throughout the book.

ERDRICH, Louise. Chickadee. Harper, 2012. ISBN 9780060577919. JLG Level: A : Intermediate Readers (Grades 3-5)

This latest installment in the Birchbark House series picks up four years after Book Three. Time has passed, as Omakayas is now a young mother with eight-year-old twins. In 1866, Chickadee is picked on by an older man from their extended tribe. Makoons defends his brother’s honor by playing a prank. The bully’s sons retaliate by kidnapping Chickadee. In a story that takes the family from Minnesota to the Great Plains, readers will learn about the culture and history of the Ojibwe while rooting for the family to be reunited. An assortment of multigenerational characters and periodic spots of pencil sketches add to this painless lesson in history.

HORVATH, Polly. One Year in Coal Harbor. Schwartz & Wade Books, 2012. ISBN 9780375969706. JLG Level: B : Upper Elementary & Junior High (Grades 5-7)

In this companion book to the Newbery Honor book Everything on a Waffle (Farrar, 2001), Primrose Sharp returns for another year of adventure. “It is a terrible thing to have pockets of emptiness where something or someone should be.” Filling those holes is just what Primrose wants to do. She thinks Uncle Jack has a hole that should be filled with Miss Bowzer. Zed, the new foster boy, comes along and fills a hole that Primrose didn’t even know she had. After all, everyone needs a best friend. And then there is the big question: Should Primrose allow herself to be arrested?

Horvath’s wit and wisdom continue and each chapter concludes with recipes.

MCKAY, Hilary. Caddy’s World. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2012. ISBN 9781442441057. JLG Level: B : Upper Elementary & Junior High (Grades 5-7)

Already a JLG selection and three starred reviews, Caddy’s World continues the story of the Casson family which started with the award-winning, Saffy’s Angels (S&S/McElderry, 2002). In this prequel, Caddy is a mere 12, taking center stage in the coming of age story. Moving, changing schools, new siblings, and boys all figure into the plot with classic McKay-humor and poignancy. With the premature birth of baby sister, Rose, Caddy’s father becomes the stay-at-home-dad he has seldom been. For the four friends, “AlisonRubyanBethanme,” life is a struggle, with each problem driving them further apart.

Those who have read the other five books will be glad to see the return of the chaotic Casson family. Newcomers will be first in line to read the series.

SPINELLI, Jerry. Third Grade Angels. Arthur A. Levine Books, 2012. ISBN 9780545387729. JLG Level: I+ : Independent Readers (Grades 2-4)  

In 1991, Spinelli published Fourth Grade Rats (Scholastic), introducing George “Suds” Morton to his readers. Third Grade Angels backs Suds up to third grade in this long-awaited prequel. His teacher will give a monthly prize to the best behaved student in her class. Suds wants to earn the halo, but being good all the time is not so easy. Does it count when I’m kind at home? What if the new boy gets me in trouble? Suds tries hard, but will it be enough?

Spinelli’s book is a great read aloud with enormous potential for class discussion. Don’t we all want to win the prize?

For ideas about how to use these books and links to supportive sites, check out the Junior Library Guild blog, Shelf Life.

Junior Library Guild is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com.