Alley Oops
by Janice Levy

Named for that "alley oops!" moment when a child experiences the empowerment that comes from doing the right thing, this story relates the aftermath of bullying from the perspective of the bully. J.J. Jax has been tormenting an overweight boy, Patrick, who is now afraid to go to school. After Mr. Jax tells J.J. a story about when he acted as a bully and how sorry he feels now, J.J. bikes over to Patrick's house to talk things over. J.J. is surprised to discover how much he and Patrick have in common, including the sport of arm-wrestling. Trounced at the table, J.J. is impressed with Patrick's "hammer hand" and decides to become his manager. The boys' shared interest in arm-wrestling becomes the conduit for resolution and budding friendship.
2005, 32 pages, Grades K-3, Flashlight Press

Amelia Takes Command
by Marissa Moss

In this fourth title in the series, Amelia is beginning fifth grade and is the target of the class bully. Through candid notebook entries and captioned drawings, readers share Amelia's frustration and anger at being ostracized and cheer when she gains the necessary confidence at Space Camp to stand up to her intimidator back home. The format resembles a hand-written, blue-lined composition book filled with full-color childlike drawings.
1998, 40 pages, Grades 3-5, Pleasant Company Publications

Angel Child, Dragon Child
by Michele Maria Surat

Ut has just come to the United States from Vietnam, and she does not like her new American school. The children all laugh when she speaks in Vietnamese, and a red-headed boy named Raymond picks on her almost every day. Most of all, Ut misses her mother, who had to stay behind in Vietnam. But to Ut's surprise, it is Raymond who thinks of the perfect way to help her.
1983, 35 pages, Grades K-3, Scholastic

The Angel of Nitshill Road
by Anne Fine

An angel arrives at school and demonstrates a wide variety of strategies for dealing with bullying.
Grades 2-5 New York: Methune (ISBN 0-7497-0974-X)

Angelina Ice Skates
by Katharine Holabird

To keep a couple of bullies from ruining their New Years' ice-skating ballet, Angelina and her friends invite them to become part of the event.
Grades 1-3 New York: Crown Publishers ISBN 0-517-59619-9

Arthur's April Fool
by Marc Brown

While Arthur and his classmates are trying to prepare for an April Fool's Assembly and magic show, they are being harassed by another student. The story illustrates how the bullying affects Arthur and how he is ultimately able to deal with Binky through humour and distraction, and with the support of his friends.
Grades 3-5 Boston: Little, Brown and Company. (ISBN: 0-316-11234-8)

Attack of the Killer Fishsticks (Wacky Facts Lunch Bunch No. 1)
by Paul Zindel

Four friends-two girls, two boys-routinely gather in the cafeteria, keep a file of facts that are "shocking, amazing or gross," and trade jokes. When they see that Max, a new kid, has been targeted by the class bullies ("the Nasty Blobs"), they decide to protect him, then ask him to join their group. Soon they nominate Max to run for class representative against one of the Nasty Blobs, in the process helping Max to heal his grief at his mother's recent death.
1993, 117 pages, Grades 3-5, Skylark

Beast
by Margaret Wild

Jamie, 11, has many fears, but two rule his life. First, there is the beast. This creature, visible only to him, thrashes outside his bedroom at midnight, waiting for the moment to destroy him. His only protection is a series of superstitious rituals that he performs with increasing complexity. Simultaneously, he is terrorized by the school bully. Avoiding Brendan's threats and mischief become an obsession as well. One night, Jamie accidentally witnesses his nemesis being abused by his father. This incident leads to a confrontation with Brendan and ultimately to a better understanding of him. Buoyed by this success, Jamie comes to realize that while magic can't stop bad things from happening, intelligence and courage can.
1995, 112 pages, Grades 4-7, Scholastic

Benjamin and Tulip
by Rosemary Wells

Tulip regularly bullies Benjamin until they form a truce.
Grades K-1 New York: The Dial Press (1973)

The Berenstain Bears and Too Much Teasing
by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Brother Bear likes to tease his sister, but when he's the one who is taunted at school, he understands why Sister gets so mad.
Grades 1-5 Random House (ISBN 0-679-87706-1)

The Berenstain Bears and the Bully
by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Sister Bear is being bullied. Brother tries to help, but feels he cannot hit a girl (the bully) so teaches sister to fight, and does not involve the adults. When Sister does fight, she gets into trouble and we see that the school has concerns about the home life of the girl who bullied Sister.
Grades 2-6 Random House (ISBN 0-679-84805-3)

Blubber
by Judy Blume

Fifth-grader Jill Brenner succumbs to the power of the most popular girl in the class and joins her in tormenting Linda Fischer, a vulnerable overweight girl who gives a report on whales and earns the name Blubber. The girls do mean things to Blubber until one day the tide turns, and Jill finds herself the outsider and the victim.
1976, 153 pages, Grades 4-6, Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers

Bully
by Janine Amos

Stories of young children who get angry and pick on someone else provide questions for a discussion on bullies.
1995, 32 pages, Grades K-3, Marshall Cavendish

Bully on the Bus
by Carl W. Bosch

Written in a "choose your own ending" format, the reader decides what action to take while dealing with a bully. The reader can choose from many alternatives that include ignoring, talking to an adult, confronting the bully, fighting, and reconciling.
1988, 64 pages, Grades 2-5, Parenting Press

Chrysanthemum
by Kevin Henkes

Crash
by Jerry Spinelli

"Crash" Coogan, celebrated school jock, has been bullying Penn Ward-small, poor, Quaker, and vegetarian-since the first grade. Crash begins to question his brutality, materialism, and winner-takes-all attitude when his beloved grandfather is disabled by a stroke. Crash takes a second look at Penn, finally accepts his friendship, and begins to grow into a mature and empathetic young man. This powerful story is told from the bully's point of view.
1997, 176 pages, Grades 4-8, Alfred A. Knopf

Fat, Fat Rose Marie
by Lisa Passen

This wonderful novel demonstrates the importance of one student taking a stand against bullying and others following her lead.
Grades 2-5 New York: Henry Holt and Company (ISBN 0-8050-1653-8)

Feeling Happy, Feeling Safe
by Michele Elliott

This series of stories, including one about bullying, are aimed at teaching children strategies for staying safe.
Grades K-1 London: Hodder Children's Books (ISBN: 0-340-55386-3)

Felita
by Nicholasa Mohr

Felita faces prejudice and harassment from the kids on her street when her Puerto Rican family moves to a new neighborhood. Her supportive relatives, especially her grandmother, encourage her to take pride in her heritage and her strength.
1979, 112 pages, Grades 3-6, Puffin

The Hallo-Weiner
by Dav Pilkey

All the other dogs make fun of Oscar the dachshund until one Halloween when, dressed as a hot dog, Oscar bravely rescues the others.
Grades 2-5 New York: Scholastic ISBN: 0-590-41729-0

The Hundred Dresses
by Eleanor Estes

In this classic book, Wanda Petronski wears the same faded dress to school every day, and is teased relentlessly when she claims to have a hundred silk and velvet dresses at home. The taunting forces her to leave the school, and causes Maddie to examine her role as a silent bystander during the abuse.
1974, 96 pages, Grades 2-6, Harcourt Brace " Company (Also available in Spanish: Bt Bound, 1999)

I Love Grandpa
by James Valitchka

We all love our grandma and grandpa. Seven year old James loves his grandpa Ralph. When Grandpa becomes, ill, James learns about love and courage. He learns to understand and help his grandpa.
Grades 2-5 Available at Toronto Women's Bookstore, Burkes Bookstore or call 905.781.7575

Jake Drake, Bully Buster
by Andrew Clements

A fourth grader looks back over his years in school and his early experiences as a "bully magnet." He relates how, in second grade, he came up against a SuperBully who made his life miserable. When the boys were paired up to do a Thanksgiving project, Jake was forced to do all the research. Then, moments before their class presentation, Jake discovered that Link was terrified of public speaking. Although briefly tempted to take revenge, he instead agrees to let Link be a silent participant while he gives the oral presentation.
2001, 80 pages, Grades 2-4, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Jerome Camps Out
by Eileen Christelow

When the swamp school gang goes away on a camping trip, Jerome Alligator conjures up a strategy for dealing with the bullying behaviour of Buster Wormly.
Grades 2-4 New York: Clarion Books (ISBN 0395758319)

Joshua T. Bates Takes Charge
by Susan Shreve

Joshua T. Bates struggles with the biggest decision of his life as he decides whether to disclose who is victimizing the new kid in fifth grade, Sean O'Malley. No stranger to bullies, Joshua repeated third grade and knows what it is like to be the target of Tommy Wilhelm and his gang.
1993, 112 pages, Grades 3-6, Alfred A. Knopf

Junebug and the Reverend
by Alice Mead

In this sequel, Junebug moves from a New Haven housing project into a new apartment building and is confronted with a series of challenges. Junebug attends a different school where he has no friends and is harassed by bullies; his mother has little time to spend with him because of her new supervisory position; and every morning he has to walk with Reverend Ashford, a cranky retired minister. By the end of the story, Junebug uses his resourcefulness and courage to make the best of his situation-he faces up to the bullies, makes new friends, and learns valuable life lessons from a group of elderly people.
1998, 186 pages, Grades 3-6, Farrar, Straus, & Giroux Books

Just a Daydream
by Mercer Mayer

Little Critter is bulled by a child in his neighbourhood. He imagines ways out of the situation and in the end, befriends the child who bullies.
Grades K-1 Racine, Wisconsin: Western Publishing Company, Inc. (ISBN 0-307-11973-4)

King of the Playground
by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

With his dad's help, Kevin overcomes his fear of the “King of the Playground” who has threatened him in various ways.
Grades K-4 New York: Aladdin Books, MacMillan Publishing Company. (ISBN 0-689-71802-0)

Loudmouth George and the Sixth Grade Bully
by Nancy Carlson

George is confronted by a bully. His friend Harriet helps George develop a plan to stop the bullying.
Grades K-3 Menneapolis: Carolrhoda Books, Inc.

Mean Maxine
by Barbara Bottner

Ralph works up enough courage to confront Mean Maxine, who has called him names and picked on him repeatedly. The ending of the story takes an interesting and friendly turn.
1980, 32 pages, Grades K-2, Knopf Publishing Group

The Meanest Things to Say
by Bill Cosby

When a new boy in his second grade class tries to get the other students to play a game that involves saying the meanest things possible to one another, Little Bill shows him a better way to make friends.
Grades 1-5 New York: Scholastic Books (ISBN 0-590-95616-7)

Milton's Dilemma
by Patricia Gatto & John De Angelis

Milton struggles to fit in, but is teased by the school bullies. With the help of a mischievous gnome, he learns the difference between right and wrong and the consequences of his actions when he vows to take revenge.
2004, 32 pages, Grades 2-5, Providence Publishing

The Misfits
by James Howe

Skeezie, Addie, Joe and Bobby are best friends trying to survive the seventh grade in the face of all too frequent taunts based on their weight, height, intelligence, and sexual orientation/gender expression. Motivated by the inequities they see around them, the "Gang of Five" create a new political party during student council elections and run on a platform aimed at wiping out name-calling of all kinds. The Misfits explores themes including popularity and what it means to be different through characters that are not cast as victims, but as self-empowered agents of change.
2001, 274 pages, Grades 4-8, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Mr. Lincoln's Way
by Patricia Polacco

Eugene "Mean Gene" Esterhause, the school bully, picks on students, gives his teachers a hard time, and uses racist slurs. Mr. Lincoln, the beloved school principal, is determined to reach the boy, and asks him to help attract birds to the new school atrium. "Mean Gene" is enthusiastic, but continues making racist remarks. As the story unfolds and a bond develops between the Caucasian student and his African-American principal, it becomes apparent that "Mean Gene" learned his hatred at home.
40 pages. 2001, 40 pages, Grades 2-4, Philomel Books

My Brother Bernadette
by Jacqueline Wilson

Bernard is not thrilled with the idea of going to summer camp. Early on, Bernard tangles with the bully Big Dan and earns the hated nickname Bernadette. Eventually he finds a safe haven in the clothing design class. Bernard's grandmother has taught him some basics about sewing, and he has a flair for design. Pretty soon he creates a jacket, draws an admiring crowd and lets these kids know that his name is Bernard. When Bernard designs the costumes for the end-of-camp play, he shows that brains and skillful fingers can overcome the bully's brawn.
2002, 48 pages, Grades 2-4, Crabtree Publishing Company

My Secret Bully
by Trudy Ludwig

Monica is bullied, not by the class thug, but by her close friend Katie. This book explores relational bullying, a phenomenon that is often ignored. In her tightly knit group of friends, Monica is the victim of Katie's hurtful words and gossip. But Monica's mother gives her advice that helps her cope successfully.
2003, 32 pages, Grades 2-5, White Cloud Press

Name Calling
by Itah Sadu

Students deal with racist name-calling in the yard of an ethnically diverse school. The illustrations in this short picture book capture a diverse student body.
1992, 30 pages, Grades K-3, Women's Press

Nobody Knew What to Do
by Becky Ray McCain

In this short but powerful book, a boy tries to figure out what to do when he repeatedly witnesses a classmate being bullied. Though frightened, the boy decides to tell his teacher. When the bullies start up again, the boy and his classmates band together with the student who is being harassed until adults intervene and help.
2001, 24 pages, Grades K-3, Albert Whitman & Co.

Nothing Wrong with a Three-Legged Dog
by Graham McNamee

Keath and his best friend Lynda are in the fourth grade. Some kids call Lynda "Zebra" because her mother's black and her father's white. And Keath is "Whitey." "He's vanilla in a chocolate school" where Toothpick, a bully, has it in for him. Lynda and Keath both love dogs. Dogs don't care about what color is the right one. Dogs don't hate anybody. Their favorite dog is Leftovers, Lynda's three-legged beagle. When he got hurt, his first owners gave up on him, but Lynda and Keath turn him into a winner, a pooch that shows Keath that sometimes it's good to stand out, to be special, and that even when you look different, there are ways to fit in.
2000, 134 pages, grades 4-6, Dell Yearling (an imprint of Random House Children's Books)

Oliver Button Is a Sissy
by Tomie dePaola

This picture book tells the story of a boy who is teased because he likes to dance. He overcomes the bullying, not by fighting, but by continuing to do what he likes best in spite of the harassment.
1979, 48 pages, Grades K-3, Harcourt Brace & Company

Painting the Fire
by Liz Farrington & Jonathan Sherwood

Ryan is a dreamy, unathletic boy who is plagued by the class bully, and responds by hitting and kicking not only that boy, but his other classmates as well. His teacher sends him to the principal's office, but Ryan slips into the art room where he encounters Mrs. Murgatroyd, who tells him he can use her magic paints to portray anything he wants and that he will always be in control of his creation. Ryan learns to channel his anger through art, and as a result is able to respond to the class bully without fighting, gain friends among the smaller children, and explain to his teacher why he misbehaved.
1993, 40 pages, Grades K-3, Enchante Publishing

Pinky and Rex and the Bully
by James Howe

Pinky is worried that because he likes the color pink and his best friend is a girl, this makes him a "sissy." After repeated taunts by Kevin, the bully, Pinky decides that maybe he shouldn't like pink and maybe he should start going by the name Billy. With the help of his neighbor, Mrs. Morgan, he realizes it is difficult to be different. In the end he stands up to a bully and is true to himself.
1996, 40 pages, Grades K-2, Aladdin Paperbacks

The Rat and the Tiger
by Keiko Kasza

A tiny rat becomes tired of his big companion Tiger's greedy, bullying manner and threatens to give up his friendship unless Tiger can mend his ways.
Grades K-3 New York: Paper Star ISBN 0-698-11604-6

The Sandwich
by Ian Wallace & Angela Wood

For lunch Vincenzo eats mortadella and provolone cheese sandwiches which the other children call “stinky meat”. He is able to stop the teasing without compromising his identify.
Grades 2-5 Toronto: Kids Can Press (ISBN 0-919964-02-8)

Say Something
by Peggy Moss

A young narrator describes different examples of bullying that she witnesses at school and on the bus, but remains silent. One day, when her friends are absent, she must sit alone in the cafeteria, and several students make jokes at her expense. In addition to feeling angry about being treated this way, the girl is frustrated with the other kids who look on sympathetically but say nothing. She is then able to empathize with other victims. The next day, she approaches a quiet girl who is often teased and finds a new friend.
2004, 32 pages, Grades 2-4, Tilbury House Publishers

Secret of the Peaceful Warrior: A Story about Courage and Love
by Dan Millman

When Danny's family moves to a new neighborhood, he is confronted by a frightening bully. One night in a dream, Danny meets an old man with shining white hair-a man who will soon appear in real life and share a wonderful secret. Socrates shows Danny that the best way of dealing with a bully is the way of the peaceful warrior, through courage and love.
1991, 32 pages, Grades 3-6, Starseed Press

Shredderman
by Wendelin Van Draanen

Nolan Byrd is a small but intelligent fifth grader, whose "dorky" ways earn him the nickname of "Nerd" from Bubba Bixby, a seemingly unstoppable bully who cheats, lies, steals, and terrorizes little kids. Tired of Bubba's relentless tormenting, Nolan anonymously launches shredderman.com, an online forum that chronicles the bully's transgressions. The name Shredderman is inspired by the compliment Nolan's math teacher writes on a quiz, "You shred, man!"
2004, 144 pages, Grades 3-6, Alfred A. Knopf

Simon's Hook: A Story about Teases and Put Downs
by Karen Gedig Burnett

Simon experiences a "bad hair day" after his sister cuts out portions of his hair to remove some chewing gum. When his friends tease him, the boy rushes home in tears. He finds consolation when his Grandmother tells him "a fish story" that illustrates the pitfalls of providing an easy target for teasing by "biting the hook." Simon's self-esteem returns, and he rejoins his friends and withstands their comments by following his grandmother's advice. Burnett concludes with useful information for adults about teasing and instructions for using the book.
1999, 40 pages, Grades 1-3, G R Publishing

Superheroes Don't Have Dads
by James Valitchka

All children are superkids in good times and in bad. Eight year old George is sad and mad about not having a Dad until he remembers how special he is. This book helps children see the hope and laughter in every situation.
Grades 2-6 Available at Toronto Women's Bookstore, Burkes Bookstore or call 905.781.7575

There’s A Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom
by Louis Sachar

"Give me a dollar or I'll Spit on you." That’s Bradley Chalkers. He’s the oldest kid in the fifth grade. He tells enormous lies. He picks fights with girls, and the teachers say he has "serious behaviour problems." No one likes him – except Carla, the new school counselor. She thinks Bradley is sensitive and generous, and she even enjoys his farfetched stories. Carla knows tht Bradley can change, if only he weren’t afraid to try. Sometimes the hardest thing in the world is believing in yourself.
Grades 3-6, Knopf Paperback

Timothy Goes to School
by Rosemary Wells

Timothy deals with taunting and jealousy by finding a friend who feels the same as him.
Grades 1-4 New York: The Dial Press (ISBN 0-14-054715-0)

Whitewash
by Ntozake Shange

Helene-Angel has to wait for her older brother Mauricio to walk her home from school. One day the Hawks, a gang of white thugs, beat up Mauricio and spray white paint on Helene-Angel's face. Her grandmother's comforting words are not enough to help the girl handle her fear and humiliation. She closes herself away from her family and friends for a week. When her classmates come to the house to escort her back to school, Helene-Angel realizes that others care about her pain.
1997, 32 pages, Grades K-2, Walker & Company

Willy the Champ
by Anthony Browne

Not very good at sports or fighting, mild-mannered Willy nevertheless proves he's the champ when the local bully shows up.
Grades 1-4 Knopf (ISBN 0-679-87391-0)

Wings
by Christopher Myers

Wings is the retelling of a myth that highlights the beauty and perils of being different. Ikarus Jackson is very different: he has wings and he can fly. But at school, his wings attract too much attention, and kids think he is "showing off." One girl realizes he must be lonely and resolves to step in and stop the hurtful words coming his way.
2000, 40 pages, Grades K-3, Scholastic

Yang the Third and Her Impossible Family
by Lensey Namioka

Yingmei Yang has changed her name to Mary now that she's learning how to "be American." It's hard, since her family sticks to its Chinese customs, which can be embarrassing in public. Still, Mary wants to be best friends with popular Holly Hanson. She sees her chance when she adopts one of Holly's kittens. The trouble is that Mary's family can't afford a cat, and the kitten could damage their prized musical instruments. To prove her friendship to Holly, Mary must find a way to keep the kitten a secret from her impossible family. It won't be easy!
Grades 3-4, ISBN 0-440-41231-5 A Yearling Book

Anastasia and The Ghostly Owl (The Choice Was Hers!)
by Anita Emily Wladichuk

The purpose of this story is to reach out to as many people as possible to present hope, to inspire, and to encourage those who have been unfortunate to have experienced unfair adversity in their life.
www.ghostlyowl.com