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Taking a Stand

How libraries can support anti-bullying initiatives

Taking a Stand How libraries can support anti-bullying initiatives
A safe and supportive school climate can help prevent bullying. Safety starts in the classroom. Students should also feel and be safe everywhere on campus - in the cafeteria, in the library, in the restrooms, on the bus, and on the playground. Everyone at school can work together to create a climate where bullying is not acceptable. ~StopBullying.gov

School librarians reach every child in the school. We can identify those who need a little extra care when he or she is in the library. We can identify both the bullied and the bully and find ways to help both. Studies have correlated reading fiction and feeling empathy ... what better way to prevent bullying is there than to be empathetic?


Every day in school libraries around the nation, children find a loving, accepting, and tolerant space. Those children can be assured that their librarian and their libraries are places where they are safe to explore, to wonder, and to dream. I can’t think of a better place to fight bullying behavior than in the library.

~Terri Grief / How School Librarians Help Combat Bullying

Bullying is a serious problem among many children in elementary school. Elementary schools are an environment where children continue to develop their social-friendship skills, are able to regulate emotions and are able to solve problems. This can be a challenge when children experience bullying. ~TogetherAgainstBullying.org
Bullying is a serious threat to our youth today. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bullying affects 20% of high school students and cyberbullying affects 16% of high school students. Surveys compiled by the CDC also show that 33% of students ages 12-18 who reported bullying at school and 27% of students ages 12-18 who reported cyberbullying indicated that they were bullied at least once or twice a month. Middle schools reported the highest rate of bullying (25%), at least once a week. ~PSYCOM.NET
Being bullied is both heartbreaking and miserable for those targeted. But many adults, unless they too have been bullied, have a hard time understanding just how much kids can suffer. They fail to realize that the consequences of bullying are significant and can have a lasting impact. ~The Long-Lasting Effects of Bullying by Sherri Gordon

What exactly is bullying?

School libraries support students in many ways. The library space itself is often a refuge for many students.

The library can be the safe place at school where all students feel welcome and comfortable asking for advice and resources. Library staff can play an important role in guiding students toward understanding the effects of bullying. Be familiar with books in your collection and also the eBooks and audio books in Sora (OverDrive) that address bullying issues. You can be influential in helping your students understand their own feelings, the feelings of others, and get the help they need. Know what the policy is at your school for reporting incidents related to bullying.

Below is a sampling of the eBooks in Sora (OverDrive) that address bullying.

(For more eBooks on this topic in the Challenges We Face collection in Sora. HERE is a tutorial on using Sora.)

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"Llama Llama and the Bully Goat" by Anna Dewdney

Gilroy Goat is teasing his classmates and Llama Llama is not sure what to do.

(GL PreS-1, 40 pages)

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"Ellray Jakes is Not a Chicken" by Sally Warner

Ellray is being picked on by two classmates and he doesn't know why or what to do about it. (GL 2-4, 128 pages)
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"Marlene, Marlene, Queen of Mean" by Jane Lynch

Marlene is the Queen of Mean until Freddy stands up to her and changes everything.

(GL K-2, 32 pages)

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"Pottymouth and Stoopid" by James Patterson

Tired of being bullied, two boys fight back with the power of funny. (GL 3-7, 336 pages)
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"Weird!, Dare!, Tough!" by Erin Frankel

Three titles in the Weird! Series that address bullying.

(GL 2-5, 48 pages)

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"Gridiron Bully" by Jake Maddox

Juan, the new guy at school, is struggling to fit in while being bullied by a fellow member of the football team.

(GL 3-6, 72 pages)

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"Merci Suarez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

Merci is struggling to navigate the new world of middle school while dealing with emotional bullying by the most popular girl in her grade.

(GL 4-7, 368 pages)

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"Restart" by Gordan Korman

After an accident, Chase loses much of his memory. When he returns to school he's surprised that most kids are terrified of him. Chase learns what it means to get a clean start.

(GL 3-7, 256 pages)

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"Real Friends" by Shannon Hale

Every day is a roller coaster ride as Shannon deals with a group of popular girls who bully others.

(GL 3-6, 224 pages)

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"Hello Universe" by Erin Entrada Kelly

A funny touching story about friendships and dealing with a bully who is eventually put in his place. (GL 3-7, 320 pages)
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"The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen" by Susin Nielsen

Henry struggles to cope with a family tragedy. He reluctantly keeps a journal at the suggestion of his therapist and learns to confront his feelings. (GL 6-9, 256 pages)
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"Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass" by Meg Medina

A Latina teen is targeted by a bully at school and in the end discovers inner strengths she never knew she had.

(GL 7-12, 272 pages)

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"Leverage" by Joshua Cohen

A story about bullies, their victims, and football where winning at all costs is the name of the game. (GL 9-12, 432 pages)
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"Protected" by Claire Zorn

Hannah has suffered relentless bullying at school and no one has tried to defend her - not even her older popular sister, Katie. After Katie's untimely death, Hannah struggles to heal and find courage to move on. (GL 9-12, 288 pages)
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"Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories" by Megan Kelley Hall

Today's top authors for teens and young people come together to share their stories about bullying—as bystanders, as victims, and as the bullies themselves—in this moving and deeply personal collection. -OverDrive (GL 9-12, 389 pages)

The following eBooks are about recognizing others who need help and doing what it takes to make a difference.

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"Thank You, Mr. Falker" by Patricia Polacco

Trisha has learning disabilities and kids make fun of her and call her mean names. The arrival of a new teacher makes a huge difference in her life.

(GL K-3, 40 pages)

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"The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade" by Justin Roberts

Sally notices everything at school and when she gets a chance she stands up to the bullies and finds out that one small girl can make a difference.

(GL PreS-2, 40 pages)

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"Sidetracked" by Deb Loughead

Maddie stands up to bullies to make things right even though the cost is losing close friendships.

(GL 7-12, 134 pages)

It's important to build a safe environment for all youth whether or not they identify as LGBTQ.

Remember that students may not always wish to ask a librarian for information or materials relating to LGBTQ issues. Resources, whether online or in hard copy, should be easy to find without having to ask a staff member for help.


While trying to deal with all the challenges of being a teenager, LGBTQ teens also have to deal with harassment, threats and violence directed at them on a daily basis. LGBTQ youth are nearly twice as likely to be called names, verbally harassed or physically assaulted at school compared to their non-LGBTQ peers. Their mental health and education, not to mention their physical well-being, are at risk. ~MentalHealthAmerica.net

http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/bullying-and-gay-youth


Parents, schools, and communities can all play a role in helping LGBTQ youth feel physically and emotionally safe.

~StopBullying.gov


Below is a sampling of eBooks in Sora relating to LGBTQ issues.

See the LGBTQ+ collection in Sora eBooks.

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"The Other Boy" by M. G. Hennessey

12 yr old Shane is just a regular boy. He loves pitching for his baseball team, working on his graphic novel, and hanging out with his best friend. But Shane is keeping something private. When a classmate threatens to reveal his secret, Shane's world comes crashing down. It will take a lot of courage for Shane to ignore the hate and show the world that he's still the same boy he was before.

-OverDrive (GL 3-7. 240 pages)

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"Symptoms of Being Human" by Jeff Garvin

Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. But Riley isn't exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in über-conservative Orange County, the pressure—media and otherwise—is building up in Riley's life.

-OverDrive (GL 9-12, 352 pages)

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"Personal Effects" by E. M. Kokie

After his older brother dies in Iraq, Matt makes a discovery that rocks his beliefs about strength, bravery, and honor. As Matt searches for answers about T.J.'s death, he faces a shocking revelation about T.J.'s life that suggests he may not have known T.J. as well as he thought. What he learns challenges him to stand up to his father, honor his brother's memory, and take charge of his own life. -OverDrive

(GL 9-12, 352 pages)

Using the Power of Children's Literature to Take a Stand Against Bullying: A Guide for Teachers, Librarians, Educators, and Students

Visit the new Social-Emotional Learning Destination site sponsored by Reading Is Fundamental (RIF). It's a great support for educators, care givers, and students. They have curated resources centered around four kid-friendly core areas of SEL - feelings, friendship, fairness, and focus. HERE is the link to the Teachers' Guide and HERE is the link to the website. Under Tips & Tools you will find helpful booklists for using the power of literature not only for anti-bullying but also other topics to enhance your bibliotherapy collection.
Below are well researched eBook guides for teens that address the many aspects of bullying. There are also guides for school staff that provide the knowledge and tools needed to support school bullying prevention programs. All the guides are found in Sora (OverDrive) eBooks. HERE is a tutorial for using Sora.
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"Bullying: The Ultimate Teen Guide" by Mathangi Subramanian

Author focuses not only on the bully but also on some of the many issues that contribute to and result from bullies in society. Fundamentals and types of bullying are defined with chapters about the perpetrator, the victim, the witnesses. For teens and educators. -SLJ (233 pages)
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"Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying" by Emily Bazelon

Author brings readers on a deeply researched journey into the ever-shifting landscape of teenage meanness and its sometimes devastating consequences. For teens and educators. -OverDrive

(416 pages)

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"Girls Against Girls: Why We Are Mean to Each Other" by Bonnie Burton

Author outlines issues and provides common-sense approach to breaking the cycle of meanness...and addresses both the victims and the mean girls themselves. For teens and educators. -OverDrive (128 pages)
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"Bully: An Action Plan for Teachers, Parents, and Communities to Combat the Bullying Crisis" by Lee Hirsch

A companion book to the acclaimed documentary film that inspired a national conversation, BULLY is packed with information and resources for teachers, parents, and anyone who cares about the more than 13 million children who will be bullied in the United States this year. For educators.

-OverDrive (304 pages)

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"No Place for Bullying: Leadership for Schools that Care for Every Student" by James Dillon

This book describes the paradigm shifts a school leader needs to create in order to develop and lead a schoolwide bullying prevention program. For educators.

-OverDrive (288 pages)

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"Responding to the Culture of Bullying and Disrespect" by Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin

This updated edition offers educators a comprehensive, therapeutic approach to reducing disrespectful behaviors. Readers will discover how to establish a positive and caring environment that discourages misbehavior while encouraging greater respect, tolerance, and responsibility. For educators.

-OverDrive (296 pages)

"According to statistics from the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, one in seven students K-12 is either a bully or a victim of a bully, and 15% of all school absenteeism is directly related to fears of being bullied at school." ~BullyingStopsHere.com


For more information, please visit the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program. Go to The Commons and click on "Portals and Tools". Find the Teacher Portal and click "Resources and Supports" and then "Instruction and Curriculum". You will see Olweus Bully Prevention Materials and from there you can access resources for elementary and secondary.

If a student came to you TODAY to report a bullying incident WOULD YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO?

"Through empathy students learn to understand each other, which helps them to build friendships based on positive relationships of trust." ~Bob Sornson, Author of "The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others".
Being able to identify, understand, and respond in a caring way to how someone is feeling provides the foundation for helpful and socially responsible behavior, friendships, cooperation, coping, and conflict resolution. Teaching empathy to young people...sets the foundation for teaching the next step, which is teaching the importance of caring about how others feel and then acting with kindness toward them. In short, kindness is empathy in action.

~Committee for Children / https://www.cfchildren.org/blog/2018/02/empathy-alone-wont-stop-bullying/

Promoting Books on Kindness and Empathy: library staff can grow empathy in students by promoting and reading books with characters who mirror the unique circumstances and challenges that our students face.


  • Knowing how another might feel in any given situation - and genuinely caring about them - is what being empathetic is all about. When reading or promoting books on bullying, empathy, inclusion, or kindness look for opportunities to discuss how another person might be feeling. It's important to share your thoughts and allow students to share their thoughts, too.
  • During interactive storytime you can ask open-ended questions like, “How do you think this character is feeling?” and “If you were in this situation, would you want others to take a stand and do something to help?”
  • When kids are challenged to think about how the negative and harmful actions of others might make another person feel, there is a chance that they will be more likely to support each other, take a stand, or report a bullying incident.
  • Library staff can model the language of feelings to help students find their voice.

Below is a sampling of the eBooks in Sora (OverDrive) that address empathy and kindness.

(Find more eBooks on this topic in the Challenges We Face collection in Sora.)

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"I Walk With Vanessa" by Kerascoet

This story explores the feelings of helplessness and anger that arise in the wake of seeing a classmate treated badly, and shows how a single act of kindness can lead to an entire community joining in to help.

-OverDrive (GL K-3, 40 pages)

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"The Invisible Boy" by Patrice Barton

This gentle story shows how small acts of kindness can help children feel included and allow them to flourish.

-OverDrive (GL K-2, 48 pages)

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"Each Kindness" by Jacqueline Woodson

Chloe and her friends shun the new girl, Maya, who eventually stops coming to school. When Chloe's teacher gives a lesson about how even small acts of kindness can change the world, Chloe realizes how much better it could have been for Maya if she'd shown a little kindness towards her.

-OverDrive (GL K-3, 32 pages)

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"Save Me A Seat" by Sarah Weeks and Gita Varadarajan

Two boys gain strength from each other as they navigate middle school. A story of bullying, friendship, individuality, family, and fitting in. (GL 3-7, 256 pages)
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"Those Shoes" by Maribeth Boelts

All Jeremy wants is a pair of those shoes, the ones everyone at school seems to be wearing. Jeremy soon sees that the things he has — warm boots, a loving grandma, and the chance to help a friend — are worth more than the things he wants.

-Amazon (GL K-3, 40 pages)

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"Faith, Hope, and Ivy June" by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

This story looks at the role of wealth and poverty in our assumptions about one another. A warm and tender story of learning to care about the needs of others.

-OverDrive (GL 4-7, 288 pages)

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"The Goldfish Boy" by Lisa Thompson

Matthew Corbin struggles with OCD and is uniquely qualified to solve a kidnapping. He is the key to figuring out what happened and potentially saving a child's life...but is he able to do so if it means exposing his own secrets, and stepping out from the safety of his home? -OverDrive (GL 3-7, 320 pages)
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"A Monster Calls" by Patrick Ness

A dark - sometimes humorous - and deeply moving story of a boy mercilessly bullied by classmates, his seriously ill mother, and an unexpected monstrous visitor.

(GL 7-12, 224 pages)

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"A Step Toward Falling" by Cammie McGovern

Emily has always been the kind of girl who tries to do the right thing—until one night when she does the worst thing possible. She sees a classmate with developmental disabilities being attacked. Inexplicably, she does nothing at all and now she is trying to figure out how to live with herself.

-OverDrive

(GL 9-12, 384 pages)

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"Finding Audrey" by Sophie Kinsella

This story explores mental illness, the lasting effects of bullying, and the power of friends and loving family to help in the healing. -Kirkus

(GL 6-12, 304 pages)

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"Wishtree" by Katherine Applegate

Though trees aren’t supposed to talk to humans, Red cares for them deeply, especially when a lonely girl named Samar and her Muslim family move into the neighborhood and receive a chilly, then hostile, reception.

-Publishers Weekly (GL 3-7, 224 pages)

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"American Born Chinese" by Gene Luen Yang

Jin Wang eats lunch by himself in a corner of the schoolyard, gets picked on by bullies and jocks, and develops a crush on a pretty classmate. This is a story about growing up different ... it's a fable for every kid born into a body and a life they wished they could escape. -Publishers Weekly

(GL 7-9, 240 pages)

Interested in books and information about diversity and kindness?

Click here to access newsletter containing eBook titles and helpful information around diversity and kindness.
Interested in promoting National Bullying Prevention Month at your school? Find details and ideas on their website here:

Week 1: Wear blue to show solidarity.

Week 2: Make friends with someone you don't know

Week 3: Stand up for others

Week 4: Week of inclusion (NO ONE eats alone in the cafeteria)

Week 5: Conversations with peers

This is your month to take leadership at your school and carry it through all-year-round!

~StompOutBullying.org

Miscellaneous Ideas, Suggestions, and Websites

  • Get free elementary and secondary bullying prevention bookmarks - pay shipping and handling only - bookmarks.
  • Oriental Trading Co. carries these items for elementary: Pledge to Stop Bullying Certificates, Pledge to be Kind Certificates, Horton Hears a Who "Bully Free Zone" Banner, pencils, etc.
  • Visit the PEACE PLEDGE PROGRAM website and consider having a pledge signing event at your school.
  • Bully Busting 101 Discussion Guide from Library Sparks - guide.
  • Have students design and create bookmarks and posters around these themes: Report It, Don't Support It; Friends Against Bullying; Bully Free Zone; It's Cool to be Kind; Exclusion is Bullying; Be a Buddy, Not a Bully.
  • Create an anti-bullying message on a high-profile bulletin board at your school. Let your school know what resources you have in your library and what the procedure is for reporting bullying.
  • Encourage students to start a "No One Eats Alone" campaign at your school. (Watch video "We Dine Together" here.)
  • Have strips of paper available in the library to start "friendship links" where students can write their name as a pledge that they will "be a buddy not a bully". Staple the links together and display throughout the school.
  • Here is a link to a free Kindness Bingo Game.
  • 34 Books to End Bullying from The Helpful Counselor.

“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” ― R.J. Palacio, Wonder

Incorporate "Wonder" into your library! Find downloadable resources to promote Wonder here.

Digital Citizenship: For help and resources on cyber-bullying and safe internet use in schools and communities, contact Brian Dino with the Educational Technology Team: brian_dino@dpsk12.org; 720.423.1989.

Visit the DPS Common Sense Digital Citizenship Website here.

This flyer is a part of Library Services Diverse Books Initiative that seeks to support culturally responsive education in Denver Public Schools where all students have equitable access to reading materials that reflect and honor their lives, and connect them with the world.
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DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS LIBRARY SERVICES

Email: libraryhelpdesk@dpsk12.org
Website: etls.dpsk12.org/library_services
Location: 1617 S. Acoma St., Denver CO 80223
Phone: 720-423-1842