Parents' Guide to

Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories

By Barbara Schultz, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Kids', teens' authors share personal bullying experiences.

Book Megan Kelley Hall, Carrie Jones Autobiography 2011
Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 18+

Based on 1 parent review

dani59
dani59 Adult
August 13, 2012
age 18+

life as we know it

Learn from me of have done all of this
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

In DEAR BULLY, 70 children's and young-adult authors recall their own childhood memories and stories about bullying. The many short pieces in the book are divided thematically into sections, beginning with "Dear Bully," in which several writers address remarks directly to the person(s) who bullied them. "Just Kidding" looks at humor as a mask for bullying and as a method of self-preservation. Other sections include "Survival," "Regret," "Thank You, Friends," "Insight," "Speak," "Write It," and last, "It Gets Better." Dear Bully acknowledges the common experience of bullying victims, reassuring teens that they are not alone.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (2):

There are so many heartbreaking, real stories in Dear Bully that almost any teen will find something relatable in the book. Interwoven among the many short prose writings are occasional poems and graphic pieces. The individual stories, and the book as a whole, are generally well crafted and compelling, and there's a surprising amount of variety. Dear Bully is a very readable book about an important, upsetting topic.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the fact that everyone has a role to play if a child is being bullied. (Get tips on how to stand up to cyberbullies.)

  • Ask your kids if they have ever been bullied at school or online. Let them know that bullying is not acceptable in any form, and children don't have to endure it. Make sure they know that they can talk to you about bullying, and you will protect them from harm.

  • If your children have never been bullied, find out if they have observed school bullying or cyberbullying. Ask how they would hope classmates and adults would act if they knew someone was being bullied. Let them know that they can ask for help negotiating a bullying problem, even if they are not the victims.

  • You might also suggest that your kids share Dear Bully with their friends to open lines of communication between students.

Book Details

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