Parents' Guide to

The Bully Book: A Novel

By Barbara Schultz, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 11+

Harsh realism makes novel about bullying painful to read.

Book Eric Kahn Gale Coming of Age 2012
The Bully Book: A Novel Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 18+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Supernova007
Supernova007 Adult
December 6, 2015
age 18+

More like the bully bible

While I was unable to put this book down, the reasons are not because I found this book to be a positive read in the least. It is truly a step by step guide on how to hurt and destroy the self esteem of others. It is truly a handbook for those seeking to ruin the life of those they feel are inferior. I would not allow my child or any other child for that matter to read this deplorable book.
racheld2
racheld2 Adult
February 20, 2015
age 17+

Do not let your child read this book

In giving an inside look into what it's like to be bullied, the author inadvertently wrote a manual for how to be a bully. This book glorifies being popular and in control of everyone and tells you exactly what you need to do to manipulate the people around you to get what you want. It tells you exactly how to start rumors, and cause trouble and make people feel horrible, and how to do it without getting caught. I am astonished that my daughter received this book from her school as a prize. This could be very dangerous in the wrong hands.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In Eric Kahn Gale's novel THE BULLY BOOK, sixth grader Eric Haskins becomes the victim of an ongoing conspiracy outlined in a kid-created manual, also called "The Bully Book." Each fall, a selected group of sixth graders receives the book and uses it to choose a "grunt," a victim to be teased, humiliated, alienated, and tortured. They then follow the book's instructions to encourage other classmates to avoid the grunt and separate him from his friends. Eric begins a quest to find out everything he can about the book and its creator(s), and work out how he can change others' perception of him as the grunt.

Is It Any Good?

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

Some aspects of The Bully Book are extremely effective, particularly the painful realism of Eric's situation as the "grunt." His fear and the cruelty he suffers are so believable, the book becomes pretty difficult to stomach. The mystery of the "Book" is also engaging and suspenseful. However, the adults in this novel --granted, seen through the eyes of the young narrator -- are clueless, wounded, and immature to an almost absurd degree. Eric's realization at the end of the story seems like the kind of platitude one of those clueless adults might offer to a kid who's being bullied mercilessly: They can't change who you are if you know who you are.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about bullying. Have you ever been bullied or known someone who was? What's the best way to handle a situation like Eric's?

  • Does this situation seem realistic to you? How is this book different from other novels you've read in which a character is bullied?

  • How do you feel about the conclusion of the novel? Is Eric's problem solved?

Book Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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