I've been asked by a few people why I chose the subject of bullying for my latest novel, "The Bully List."
There are a number of reasons. While I was working on master's degree in special education a few years ago, I took several general education classes that discussed bullying in schools. I found it very interesting and enlightening.
I believe most, if not all of us, have experienced or witnessed bullying while we were in school. Maybe both. Even those who didn't get involved -- remained silent and didn't intervene -- would agree that bullying wasn't right.
Even as I've moved on into adulthood -- the twilight years -- I recall bullying in different workplaces. I think that's another reason why bullying needs to be stopped in schools.
We all know it's a serious problem. Just read in the headlines and you'll see where some children -- as young as 12 -- have been driven to commit suicide. That's heartbreaking.
I hope that my novel will contribute to the dialogue about bullying. I'm happy to see it addressed more vigorously than in the past. It's not harmless teasing; it's mean-spirited behavior.
And it needs to stop.
Here are a few websites that I recommend about bullying:
Bully.org
Bullying Statistics
Kentucky Center for School Safety
No Bully
Pacer Center's Teens Against Bullying
Stop Bullying.gov
Stop Bullying Now
The Bullying Project
Family First Aid
I'll discuss the literary aspects in a future post.
Until the next time...
There are a number of reasons. While I was working on master's degree in special education a few years ago, I took several general education classes that discussed bullying in schools. I found it very interesting and enlightening.
I believe most, if not all of us, have experienced or witnessed bullying while we were in school. Maybe both. Even those who didn't get involved -- remained silent and didn't intervene -- would agree that bullying wasn't right.
Even as I've moved on into adulthood -- the twilight years -- I recall bullying in different workplaces. I think that's another reason why bullying needs to be stopped in schools.
We all know it's a serious problem. Just read in the headlines and you'll see where some children -- as young as 12 -- have been driven to commit suicide. That's heartbreaking.
I hope that my novel will contribute to the dialogue about bullying. I'm happy to see it addressed more vigorously than in the past. It's not harmless teasing; it's mean-spirited behavior.
And it needs to stop.
Here are a few websites that I recommend about bullying:
Bully.org
Bullying Statistics
Kentucky Center for School Safety
No Bully
Pacer Center's Teens Against Bullying
Stop Bullying.gov
Stop Bullying Now
The Bullying Project
Family First Aid
I'll discuss the literary aspects in a future post.
Until the next time...
