Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy

National Best Seller!

By Emily Bazelon

Being a teenager has never been easy, but in recent years, with the rise of the Internet and social media, it has become exponentially more challenging. Bullying, once thought of as the province of queen bees and goons, has taken on new, complex, and insidious forms, as parents and educators know all too well.

No writer is better poised to explore this territory than Emily Bazelon, who has established herself as a leading voice on the social and legal aspects of teenage drama. In Sticks and Stones, she brings readers on a deeply researched, clear-eyed journey into the ever-shifting landscape of teenage meanness and its sometimes devastating consequences. The result is an indispensable book that takes us from school cafeterias to courtrooms to the offices of Facebook, the website where so much teenage life, good and bad, now unfolds.

Along the way, Bazelon defines what bullying is and, just as important, what it is not. She explores when intervention is essential and when kids should be given the freedom to fend for themselves. She also dispels persistent myths: that girls bully more than boys, that online and in-person bullying are entirely distinct, that bullying is a common cause of suicide, and that harsh criminal penalties are an effective deterrent. Above all, she believes that to deal with the problem, we must first understand it.

Blending keen journalistic and narrative skills, Bazelon explores different facets of bullying through the stories of three young people who found themselves caught in the thick of it. Thirteen-year-old Monique endured months of harassment and exclusion before her mother finally pulled her out of school. Jacob was threatened and physically attacked over his sexuality in eighth grade—and then sued to protect himself and change the culture of his school. Flannery was one of six teens who faced criminal charges after a fellow student’s suicide was blamed on bullying and made international headlines. With grace and authority, Bazelon chronicles how these kids’ predicaments escalated, to no one’s benefit, into community-wide wars. Cutting through the noise, misinformation, and sensationalism, she takes us into schools that have succeeded in reducing bullying and examines their successful strategies. The result is a groundbreaking book that will help parents, educators, and teens themselves better understand what kids are going through today and what can be done to help them through it.

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Be Brave....for those hurt by another

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By Karen Rochester

“Every single person on the planet has to be brave at least once in their life, no matter who they are, how old they are, or how strong they are.  Being brave is about having the courage to do the best thing, even when it’s hard and especially when you’re scared to do it."  from 'Be Brave'.

‘Be Brave’ is a book of encouragement, understanding, learning to trust and bravery.  The book explains to readers (suggested ages 8 yrs +) that if they have been hurt by another person at some time in their lives, they may experience a wide range of thoughts, emotions and behaviours that can be very difficult to manage.  The book explains that although these reactions maybe scary, they are normal when someone has been hurt this way. 

Using simple language and concepts, children (and adults) are able to relate to the thoughts, feelings and emotions being described.  ‘Be Brave’ doesn’t specify the trauma type thus allowing the reader to apply their own feelings and reactions to the text and their particular set of circumstances. 

‘Be Brave’ speaks to the reader directly as they consciously and unconsciously apply their own experiences to the narrative.  Readers see themselves being described in the text and become more aware of some of their own emotions and behaviours that have resulted from experiences where they have been hurt.  The book then directly applies understanding to their situation and helps them to realise that although it takes a lot of courage to seek help, they can do it if they are brave enough. This is the central message. 

Obviously, there are many different ways to get help in a given situation, so ‘Be Brave’ assists the reader by helping them understand that there are various avenues for them to take to find the help they need and at the same time as encouraging them to do this, applies constant understanding and empathy for the reader’s individual situation.

‘Be Brave’ is a very unique book and should be in the hands of every child, parent, teacher, carer and school counsellor, as well as children's mentors, therapists, psychologists and medical professionals.  It is also beautifully and sensitively illustrated by Kat Chadwick.

“This book has the potential to empower many people, both children and adults, to finally disclose secrets that may have paralysed them for years and allow them to start on their own journey of healing and recovery. Highly recommended” - Anne Macdonald, Clinical Psychologist

For more information visit www.bebravebook.com and for sales inquiries please contact the publisher Jojo Publishing www.jojopublishing.com