Book Review: Say Something

Author: Peggy Moss

Illustrator: Lea Lyon

Interest Level: Ages 5-12  

About This Book: Say Something has become an anchor text for bullying prevention campaigns around the country. A young girl initially feels satisfied that she does not participate when she witnesses teasing. When the teasing turns on her, she decides she can no longer be a bystander. The final page of the story in which she talks to the girl who sits alone on the bus affirms small, every-day actions as part of social change. The illustrations in this book present children of many skin tones and body types--among the most beautifully illustrated and true to life portrayals of a diverse student body.

Why It's On My Bookshelf:  When I grew up, it wasn't very popular to tell adults about bully problems. During bus rides home from school I was often picked on by older students, not once did I tell my parents. And not once did anyone stick up for me. I wonder what those bus rides would have been like if my teachers or parents would have read me a powerful picture book like Say Something. I'm imagining I would have had the courage to put a stop to the bullies on the bus. This book teaches kids to not be a bystander and to stick up for oneself and others, in other words SAY SOMETHING. I've seen a positive impact on our student population through the use of this book. More kids are speaking up and not keeping bullying a secret. Parents, counselors, and teachers need to read Say Something to open up lines of communication, kids need to know it's okay to SAY SOMETHING. Learn more about author Peggy Moss and her other book Our Friendship Rules at Say Something Now.

Suggestions on how to use Say Something

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Book Review: One

Author: Kathryn Otoshi

Interest Level: Ages 5-11

About This Book: This is a deceptively simple color and counting book that turns into a lesson on bullying. Whenever they meet, Blue is picked on by Red: "Red is HOT. Blue is NOT." The other colors like Blue but are intimidated by the bluster so they say nothing, and soon Red is bossing everyone around. But then One comes. It is funny and brave and confronts Red: "If someone is mean and picks on me, I, for One, stand up and say, No." All the other colors follow One's lead and become numbers too. Yellow is two, Green, three, etc. Red begins to feel left out and tries to bully Blue, but Blue ignores him and changes to Six: "Red can be really HOT,' he says, but Blue can be super COOL.'" The rest of the numbers stick up for Blue, but offer Red the opportunity to join in the counting, and all ends well. The book is well designed with bright colored circles and numbers on stark white pages accompanied by black print. The text is very simple but meaningful, and the moral is subtly told. Red is not ostracized but included in the game, and the essential point of one person making a difference is emphasized by the ending: "Sometimes it just takes One." This is an offering with great potential for use with the very young in a variety of ways.

One turned to the colors and said,

"If someone is mean and picks on me,

I for One, stand up and say, No."

Why It's On My Bookshelf: After reading this book to a second grade class, they shouted, "read it again!" This author is brilliant. One has had a powerful impact on students. I use One to help students stand up for themselves. I get so tired of teaching kids dry bullying curriculums and they get bored with them too. This book has so much oomph and originality in it! The kind of oomph I wish more bullying curriculums had. I read it to kindergarteners but I can also read it to 5th graders, it works for all ages. If you want children to quit being bystanders, to stand up for themselves and have confidence when confronting bullying, get One on your shelf! It's creative and engaging. So well done.

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Book Review: Simon's Hook: A Story About Teases and Put-downs

Author: Karen Gedig Burnett
Illustrated by Laurie Barrows
Interest Level: Grades 2-5


About This Book: Simon is having a bad day; a bad hair day. First his sister gives him a strange hair cut, then his friends tease him. Simon doesn't know what to do. Lucky for him he runs into Grandma Rose. After listening to his sorrowful story she helps him learn an important life lesson; how to handle teases and put-downs. By comparing teases to fishing hooks she tells him a tale of how fish learned not to bite. With fanciful characters such as Harmony Hippy Fish, Freddie Fang, Max the Mouse Fish and more, Simon learns that he, too, can swim free from the teasing hooks that people toss his way.


Why It's On My Bookshelf: Hands down one of the best books to teach REAL strategies on how to stick up for yourself without putting the other person down. Kids Love Love Love Simon's Hook. Even better, the author (who just happened to be an elementary school counselor for over 20 years) has a really neat website where you can see all of the books she has published. I have visited the Simon's Hook page and purchased the poster to use as a teaching tool with my lessons. This resource is full of strategies for kids. I've also purchased Katie's Rose and If The World Were Blind from her website.

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