It Gets Better

http://www.itgetsbetter.org/

itgetsbetter.org is apart of the It Gets Better Project (2010) created by Dan Savage

Website Basics:

Beginning in September 2010, noted columnist Dan Savage created a YouTube video with his partner Terry, to remind youth enduring harassment that it gets better. The It Gets Better Project wants to remind teenagers in the LGBT community that they are not alone and that it WILL get better. The It Gets Better Project has turned into a worldwide movement, with over 10,000 user-created videos viewed millions of times. The is a place where young people who are lesbian, gay, bi, or trans can see how love and happiness is possible in their future. And it welcomes straight friends and family to visit and support their loved ones. The website connects LGBTQ youth to inspirational stories and information resources by creating videos of people sharing their stories, taking the It Gets Better Project pledge, watching videos of love and support, and providing a link to the Trevor Project,

www.trevorproject.org., which assists teens who may be contemplating suicide.  

Review: 

The It Gets Better project is a fantastic organization that provides honest inspirational messages to LGBTQ Tweens and Teens. The site frankly admits that yes, its hard to be young and apart of the LGBTQ community. Many kids are taunted are even tortured because of who they are, but the site provides a simple yet powerful response to bullying, IT WILL GET BETTER.  The site pays attention to the feelings of the bullied, letting them know that its okay to feel hurt about being bullied, but they don’t need to be ashamed of who they are.  Often when people experience hardship it helps to hear how friends or family dealt with and survived their own hardships.  This site provides just that, a personal bit of wisdom, even if a tween does not have a gay family member or friends, he or she can watch and listen to stories of people who lived through their teen years and came out stronger.

Reading Level: 

Grades 5 and Up

www.StopBullying.gov

http://www.stopbullying.gov/index.html

Summary:

StopBullying.gov is a website providing information from various government agencies on how kids, teens, young adults, parents, educators and others in the community can prevent or stop bullying. Its “News Room” offers news and updates about federal government bullying prevention initiatives. The site also provides additional references and resources, such as other online resources and research papers, which address the problem of bullying and were submitted by educators, publishers, and program developers.

The site’s “Special Topics” page addresses issues and topics related to bullying, such as cyberbullying and LGBT bullying. The sections directed at kids and at teens provide information for those being bullied, those who are bullies, and those who have witnessed bullying.

Review/personal thoughts:

StopBullying.gov features webisodes and games, which is a really awesome way to attract tweens to the site. The “Stop Bullying Now: Take a stand. Lend a hand.” page says, “KB, Josh, Milton and their friends are kids like you who are taking a stand against bullying. Meet the cast, watch the Webisodes, play the games and see how you too can help Stop Bullying Now!” The featured games include a crossword puzzle, “Bully-wood Squares,” a jigsaw puzzle, a matching game, and many more!

There are 23 cast members appearing in the different webisodes. These cast members are students or teachers at “Springdale Middle School,” as well as parents. Raven and Lasa (both age 12) are described as “two of the ‘real friends’ who Melanie dumped to get on Cassandra’s good side.” These characters and webisodes do a great job of relating to the site’s younger audience, and are truly fun to watch!

The page also features a poll asking how often you feel safe at school, which not only makes the site more interactive, but also allows users to see how their peers have voted. Tech-savvy tweens will love the Stop Bullying Now! song that can be downloaded as a ringtone to your mobile phone, or in MP3 format.

Reading level: all ages

Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney

 

Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney. Trevor Romain. Free Spirit Publishing, c.1998. 136 pages.

Summary:

“If cliques make you sick, you might have Cliques Vomititus, otherwise known as the Clique Sickness. Or maybe you feel like throwing up because the clique is being cliquey” (Romain, 1998, p.5).

When a clique is being cliquey, it can be really hurtful! Trevor Romain’s Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney discusses cliques vs. friendship groups, phonies vs. true friends, and popularity vs. liking yourself. It uses humor to provide examples of these concepts and explores commonly held myths about them. It also includes a list of helpful books and organizations that readers should check out.

Review/personal thoughts:

Cliquey behavior, I believe, is one form of bullying that’s very important to address. In my own experience, it’s the most common form of bullying that isn’t always viewed as such! However, cliquey behavior is very hurtful! Thus, Trevor Romain’s Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney addresses this issue with humor and a friendly, reassuring attitude. Romain conveys a really positive message to his readers, stressing that real friends will like the real you, and that the “popular” kids aren’t better than everyone else!

Reading level: ages 9-12

Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain

Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain. Trevor Romain. Free Spirit Publishing, c.1997. 112 pages.

Summary:

“The alarm clock buzzes and you slowly crawl out of bed. Another school day, and you’re miserable. For the past few weeks, a kid in your class has been picking on you, pushing you when the teacher isn’t looking, calling you “Dog Breath” (or worse), making you do embarrassing things, and generally getting on your nerves” (Romain, 1997, p.1).

Trevor Romain knows that bullies are a pain (in the brain!) and wants tweens to know what to do when confronted by one. His book Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain offers tweens serious, practical suggestions for coping with bullies blended with humor. The book includes cartoon-like illustrations, quizzes, and advice organized into tween-friendly bullet-pointed lists. It also includes resources for additional help.

Review/personal thoughts:

Trevor Romain’s Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain is an excellent resource for tweens who would like to “bully-proof” themselves. Romain emphasizes two points that I think it’s very important for tweens who are being bullied to understand. The first is “you’re not alone.” “Other kids in your school or neighborhood are probably dealing with bully problems similar to yours” (Romain, 1997, p.2). As bullied tweens might feel alone or isolated, it’s crucial that they recognize that many of their peers experience the same problems they do. Romain encourages his readers to speak up about their situation, rather than treat it as a shameful secret. The second important point Romain makes is “it’s not your fault.” “You’re not doing the bullying. Someone else is. You didn’t ask to be bullied. Someone else decided to bully you,” (Romain, 1997, p.2) he says. Romain makes it clear that you have done nothing to invite bullying upon yourself. If you are being bullied, it’s the result of a decision someone else has made.

Reading level: ages 8-12

Speak Up and Get Along!

Speak Up and Get Along: Learn the Mighty Might, Thought Chop, and More Tools to Make Friends, Stop Teasing, and Feel Good About Yourself. Scott Cooper. Free Spirit Publishing, c2005. 120 pages.

Summary:

“If you treat others and yourself with respect, people will usually treat you with respect, too. This book can help make that happen: it will teach you to speak up for yourself and others in a respectful way…so you can get along—with others and yourself” (Cooper, 2005, p.2).

Scott Coopers knows that people are social, and “that means that we spend most our time with other people” (Cooper, 2005, p.4) and need to know how to get along. His book Speak Up and Get Along provides tweens with the tools to do just that. Each of the book’s six chapters introduces a different set of tools and is named after a bird that is good at that set of tools. For example, the third chapter, titled “Ending Arguments and Fights: The Tools of the Dove,” says “for thousands of years, the dove has been a symbol of peace to people all over the world” (Cooper, 2005, p.40). One tool it advises readers use to avoid conflict is “the cool down.” When you need to Cool Down, remove yourself from the situation and “ride your bike or skateboard” (Cooper, 2005, p.52) or choose one of the other 20 twenty listed ways to cool down. The book also includes a “Note to Adults,” resources for kids, and resources for parents and teachers.

Review/personal thoughts:

Scott Cooper’s Speak Up and Get Along is a really great resource for tweens! Something that really struck me is the personal connection the author establishes with the subject in the book’s introduction. “Part of respecting others is not judging them before you know them” (Cooper, 2005, p.2), he says. “When I was younger, I had a prejudged idea about people who watched birds. I thought of them as, well…nerdy. I pictured bird watchers as people who wore high socks, funny-looking hats, and binoculars dangling from their necks” (Cooper, 2005, p.2). However, one day he discovered he liked the hobby after his brothers asked him to join them. Cooper even named each of the book’s six chapters after a different bird according to the tools it uses to get along with other birds and take care of itself.

The author also asked his readers to write to him and let him know how the tools outlined in the book helped them. He provided his email address and a mailing address where he can be reached. I think this is a really nice touch as it expresses how greatly Cooper cares about his readers and the subject itself. 

Reading level: ages 9-12

Teen Cyberbullying Investigated : Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin?

Teen Cyberbullying Investigated : Where Do Your Rights End and Consequences Begin? Thomas A. Jacobs. Free Spirit Publications; C2010.

"Bullying has entered the digital age. with the click of a button, or touch of a screen, a photo, video or a conversation can be shared with a few people in an email or text... or broadcast to millions on a website Jacobs, 2010, p2)."

Basic Description:

This book provides an in- depth analysis and discussion of the current cyber- bullying trend among school age children. The book features real court cases about tweens and teens that were bullied via technological means.  Bullying is now done online, through social networking sites, with digital cameras, text messages, IM, and cell- phone. Most often these are just harmless pranks, but sometimes these acts result in serious emotional and physical harm. This book wants you to know what’s happening to your peers. You will learn your legal rights on the Internet and how to use these technological devices to your benefit.

 

Review:

This title explores the hot topic of online teen bullying, by both teens and by adults. The author is a former judge and he highlights recent notable court cases in an informal and interactive style. Each chapter discusses one case in detail and brings up both the rights of the victim and those of the perpetrator(s). Readers will come away with a good feel for why it is important to know what these cases are about, and how they might relate to them personally. He frequently asks readers to ask himself or herself questions bout each case, such as, "How does this decision affect you?" and "How would you decide this case?" He explains "The bottom line," and suggests additional "Things to think about." And for tweens and teens interested in doing their own research, each chapter includes a bibliography of articles and Web sites and interactive questions sure to spark more discussion. Tweens will come away from this book aware of the repercussions for their actions and they will understand the level of damage that online taunting and harassment can cause.

 

Genre:

Non- Fiction

Reading Level:

Grades 6 and Up

Stick Up For Yourself!: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power and Positive Self-Esteem

Stick Up For Yourself!: Every Kid's Guide to Personal Power and Positive Self- Esteem. Gershen Kaufman. Free Spirit Publishing, Inc.; c1999. 

"Did anyone ever tell you to stick up for yourself? Maybe you were confused too. When you don't know what it means to stick up for yourself, you end up doing things it doesn't mean (Kaufman, 1999, p4)."

Basic Description:

This book is based on the idea that all young people can and should be taught the skills necessary to face common issues, such as making choices, liking themselves, and solving problems. This book lists, describes and illustrates the concept of power, emotions, and self esteem. And it defines what “sticking up for yourself,” really means and when sticking up for yourself is appropriate. Everyday scenarios and exercises in each chapter guide readers through learning about their own feelings, dreams, and needs while stressing that they are responsible for their own behavior and happiness. 

Review:

Written as a manual, Stick Up For Yourself works to provide sensible and straightforward tips and guidelines for Tweens interested in building self- esteem and developing healthy relationships. Bullying is referenced directly within this books introduction. The author points out that low self- esteem is main symptom of bullying.  And the book’s goal is to help kids develop a healthy and balanced sense of self and esteem, in order to counteract any bullying they may come into contact with. The author goes to great lengths to discusses emotions and self- esteem in ways that children will understand. Age appropriate anecdotes are provided to enhance the discussion, which makes the book’s lessons more relevant to kids. Tween boys and girls will benefit from this book, which provides gender neutral instruction. 

Genre:

Non- Fiction

Reading Level: 

Grades 3- 8