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April 24, 2006
Near north of Boston? Come to a free talk about bullying
I've heard more than my fair share of stories of bullying, between kids, at adults, in schools, in libraries. Since my library is offering this extra-groovy *free* program, I thought I'd give it a little plug (text care of the current issue of the RPL Off The Shelf newsletter).
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SPOTLIGHT ON DOUG WILHELM
"You never know what a big deal bullying is until it happens to you"
Chelsea Tice
Middle Schooler
From The Revealers website: http://www.the-revealers.com/
Does bullying exist in Reading's Middle Schools? Despite a growing recognition of the seriousness of this problem, some adults rationalize or cover-up bullying. Others deny its seriousness sighting a lack of concrete evidence to warrant concern. Strangely enough, it is these attitudes that perpetuate bullying ---creating an environment where students are often too distracted to learn and where they frequently feel threatened, isolated and depressed.
Author Doug Wilhelm asked Middle School students from three schools in his home state of Vermont about their real experiences with bullying in school. From physical abuse to physiological bombardments, Wilhelm shares his findings in his latest novel, The Revealers, wherein a group of students ally themselves to "out" the dreadful reality of bullying in their school.
Mr. Wilhelm will be this year's Visiting Author, and will be in Reading on April 27-28. As in past years, the author will be visiting both Middle Schools and will also provide an evening program at the Library.
This year's evening program, "Bullies," is Thursday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Library. This is a free program, open to all parents, teachers, librarians, and students.
The Visiting Author Program is funded through a cooperative effort of the Friends of the Reading Public Library and the Parker and Coolidge Parent-Teacher Associations. This visit is also partially funded by a grant from the Reading Cultural Council. Join our special guest, Doug Wilhelm, for a discussion of his writing on this important topic.
MORE BOOKS ABOUT BULLYING
FOR TEENS
Fat Boy Swim by Catherine Forde (2004) Teen Fiction.
Teased and abused for being grossly overweight, Jimmy, a fourteen-year-old Scottish teenager who dreams mysterious dreams and secretly aspires to become a chef, decides to turn his self-loathing life around by learning how to swim.
So You Want to Be a Wizard? by Diane Duane (1983). Teen paperback.
Thirteen-year-old Nita, tormented by a gang of bullies because she won't fight back, finds the help she needs in a library book on wizardry which guides her into another dimension.
Drowning Anna by Sue Mayfield (2002). Teen Fiction.
The novel begins with Anna's suicide attempt, and as she hangs between life and death, the events of the past unfold. This is a moving novel that accurately portrays the cruel bullying that many teenagers experience.
Odd Girl Speaks Out: Girls Write about Bullies, Cliques, Popularity, and Jealousy by Rachel Simmons (2004). TEEN 305.2308 ODD
FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS
And Words Can Hurt Forever: How to Protect Adolescents from Bullying, Harassment, and Emotional Violence by James Garbarino and Ellen deLara (2002). 649.125 GAR
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Directions to Reading Public Library
From Route 128 take exit 38B toward Reading. Exit 38B is Route 28. Follow Route 28 to the center of town, the Town Hall will be on the left. Make a left onto Route 129. Make a left onto Middlesex Avenue. The Library is just ahead on the left at 64 Middlesex Avenue.
April 24, 2006 7:07 PM