October is National Bullying Prevention Month, a movement meant to “unite communities around the world to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.” In this blog post, we gathered titles from our Bullying/Anti-Bullying Collection that feature stories about different experiences with bullying and peer pressure and how to overcome and accept people’s differences. Use these books to start important discussions with children about bullying, including bully prevention, conflict resolution, and the skills needed to navigate these situations.
Sparkle Boy
by Lesléa Newman, illus. by Maria Mola
Casey loves to play with his blocks, puzzles, and dump trucks, and he also loves things that shimmer, glitter, and sparkle. Casey’s older sister, Jessie, thinks this is weird until an encounter with teasing bullies helps her learn to accept and respect Casey for who he is.
Find the Teacher’s Guide here.
Purchase a copy here.
Chess Rumble
by G. Neri, illus. by Jesse Joshua Watson
Chess Rumble is a story in free verse about a troubled boy who learns to use his mind instead of his fists through the guidance of an unconventional mentor and the game of chess.
Find the Teacher’s Guide here.
Purchase a copy here.
King for a Day
by Rukhsana Khan, illus. by Christiane Krömer
This lively, contemporary story introduces readers to the annual spring kite-flying festival of Basant, and to a spirited, determined young boy who masters kite fighting while finding his own way to face and overcome life’s challenges.
Find the Teacher’s Guide here.
Purchase a copy here.
First Day in Grapes
by L. King Perez, illus. by Robert Casilla
All year long Chico and his family move up and down the state of California picking fruits and vegetables. Every September they pick grapes and Chico starts at a new school again. When fourth-grade bullies confront Chico in the lunchroom, he responds wisely with strengths of his own. Readers of all backgrounds will relate to Chico’s bravery and the creative way he finds to resolve conflict.
Find the Teacher’s Guide here.
Purchase a copy here.
It Doesn’t Have to be this Way/No tiene que ser así
by Luis Rodríguez, illus. by Daniel Galvez
It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way is a compelling tale of a young boy’s encounter with the world of gangs—a world that author Luis J. Rodríguez knows firsthand. There is no easy answer to Monchi’s dilemma, but the love and respect of his uncle help him find a way out.
Find the Teacher’s Guide here.
Purchase a copy here.
Heroes
by Ken Mochizuki, illus. by Dom Lee
Set against the backdrop of the 1960s, this intergenerational story explores how one family deals with the painful legacy of war and prejudice.
Find the Teacher’s Guide here.
Purchase a copy here.
Lend a Hand: Poems About Giving
by John Frank, illus. by London Ladd
A collection of original poems centered on giving and spontaneous acts of kindness, Lend a Hand demonstrates that empathy and social awareness can start at an early age.
Find the Teacher’s Guide here.
Purchase a copy here.
Purchase the anti-bullying collection:
Further Reading:
Books for Children and Educators About Kindness
Teaching Tolerance and Anti-Bullying
This Week in Diversity: Bullies, Surfer-Girls, and Ancient Diversity
