I would like to get involved in Anti-Bullying Week which takes place 15th-19th of November this year. Being based in a school certainly is an eye-opener where pupil attitudes (to themselves and each other) are astonishing in their abasement.
Notably, the area I live in has had a spate of suicides over the last few years. One as recent as a fortnight ago involving a 13 year old boy. No connection has been found between these suicides but it does put the community on red alert. For further insight into this please read the article featured in Wales Online.
A way for the whole blogging community to come together and help with this never ending battle is to take part in the Anti-Bullying Virtual Protest March:
The Big March will be hosted entirely online and culminate at a virtual Number 10 Downing Street, where marchers will sign a petition asking Government for help to protect kids from bullying, violence and harassment.
People can join the march now at www.beatbullying.org/bigmarch, where they can create an avatar with a placard and wait in the online Big March Park until November 15.
The charity is also hoping the march will put pressure on Government to set up a Big March Bullying Commission, which would investigate how Government, schools, families and communities can reduce incidents of bullying and give children a life free from violence and harassment.
The march will culminate at Number 10 where Beatbullying hopes the petition will be presented virtually to Prime Minister David Cameron by children, teachers, celebrities, charities and industry: an inspirational example of all strands of society working together to eradicate bullying once and for all.
Read more at The Mirror Online.
So all my lovely blogger friends please join me - create your avatar. Come find me under asamum booktopia banner.
If anyone can suggest some good books with bullying themes please leave a list in the comment box or email me here.
Thank you all for your support
Great post. In terms of books recs, I think both Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver and The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake are both really good and give readers food for thought on the subject of bullying. And there's always Blubber by Judy Blume for younger readers - that's only a tiny bit dated and definitely makes its point.
ReplyDeleteThanks for highlighting this Emma. It's something very close to my heart having actually left school early with no qualifications because of bullying. Inside My Head by Jim Carrington is about bullying. I have it here but haven't read it myself yet. 13 reasons Why by Jay Asher looks at the snowball effect of Bullying resulting in suicide. I'll try and think of more.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post. I'm right with you on this. I recently read a great book with a bullying theme (among other themes) - Dancing in the Dark by Peter Prendergast. I recommend it, and I should make myself a note to review it during Anti-Bullying week.
ReplyDeleteI just collaborated with someone else on the Ning about bullying. Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Kissing the Rain by Kevin Brooks, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and Feather Boy by Nicky Singer. Will probably post it on my blog on Friday.
ReplyDeleteGreat post and thanks for highlighting. I'd echo a recommendation for Before I Fall.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post and like Vicki, one close to my heart. I was badly bullied in primary school and then again towards the end of secondary and it can be an incredibly isolating experience. I actually avoid books that cover bullying as I find it very difficult to read about the subject even now. However, I think that Lauren's recommendation of Before I Fall is an excellent one as it looks at the subject from all sides - hopefully a few bullies will read it themselves and gain some useful perspective on how what is often just thoughtlessness and a lack of understanding can cause a lot of pain.
ReplyDeleteJust stopping back by to add Malorie Blackman's Boys Don't Cry as a pick for the theme of homophobic bullying - she tackles the issue really well there.
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