Intermediate

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Books
Websites
Videos/DVDs

Books

Anger Management: Gaining Control of Anger

Judith Peacock – LifeMatters – 2000
Geared towards junior high school students, this analysis of anger, its styles, and triggers, gives strategies and tips for managing your own anger and your response to others' anger.
ISBN 0736804404

The Beckoners

Carrie Mac – Orca Book Publishers – 2004
For the sake of fitting in, Zoe joins "The Beckoners", a group of bullying girls. The girls make it their goal to stay on top while keeping outcasts down. Zoe wants to leave, but how can she without becoming their next victim?
ISBN 9781551437293

Better Than Weird

Anna Kerz – Orca Book Publishers – 2011
Aaron is anxiously waiting for his father to return for the first time since Aaron's mother's death eight years earlier. He's worried that his dad will think he's weird and at the same time has to contend with Tufan, the class bully. Aaron captures readers' interest, and compassion, as he struggles with the quirks and challenges of his autism.
ISBN 9781554693627

The Bully

Paul Langan – Scholastic Inc. – 2007
A new life. An new school. A new bully. That's what Darrell Mercer faces when he and his mother move from Philadelphia to California. After spending months living in fear, Darrell is faced with a big decision. He can either keep running from this bully – or find some way to fight back...
ISBN 9780439865463

Bystander

James Preller – Feiwel and Friends – 2009
Thirteen-year-old Eric discovers there are consequences to not standing by and watching as the bully at his new school hurts people, but although school officials are aware of the problem, Eric may be the one with a solution. Although there are no pat answers, the message (that a bystander is hardly better than an instigator) is clear, and Preller's well-shaped characters, strong writing, and realistic treatment of middle-school life deliver it cleanly.
ISBN 9780312379063

Club Meds

Katherine Hall Page – Simon Pulse – 2006
Club Meds is what Jack and his friends call the nurse's office where they line up daily for their medications. So it's serious business when major-league bully, Chuck, forces Jack to turn over his Ritalin. The kids of Club Meds come up with a scheme that is a test of their friendship and will change their lives forever.
ISBN 9781416909033

Colder Than Ice

David Pateneaude – Albert Whitman & Company – 2003
Average student Josh is surprised when a popular jock befriends him at his new school. Through warned by others that Corey could have an ulterior motive, Josh continues to bask in reflected glory until a near-tragic afternoon on the local frozen pond. Realistic depiction of the push-and-pull of middle school relationships.
ISBN 0807581356

Endgame

Nancy Garden – Harcourt – 2006
Happy to be in a new school, Gray Wilton soon finds that, unfortunately, there are bullies everywhere. Worse, he's always the punching bag. The brutal words, physical abuse, and emotional torture escalate – until the day Gray enters the school with his father's semiautomatic in hand. Garden's novel clearly show the cruelty of bullying and the devastating effects it can have.
ISBN 0152054162

Fight

Chris Powling – Barrington Stoke – 2006
Matt's friend is the biggest guy in school. Can Matt use him to scare away possible bullies, or is Matt becoming a bully himself? (High interest fiction)
ISBN 1842994146

Freak the Mighty

W. R. Philbrick – Blue Sky Press – 1993
An ALA Best Book of the Year about two misfits who form an unbeatable combination. This compelling story will strike a chord in anyone who has ever felt like they didn't belong. This story is also a feature film.
ISBN 0439286069

Girls

Amy Goldman Koss – Dial Books for Young Readers – 2000
One Saturday morning, Maya discovers that she has been forced out of her group of friends. Having been invited into the group by Candace, the most popular girl in school, Maya can't understand what she has done to fall out of favour with Candace and therefore the whole group. Each chapter is written in the voice of a different character.
ISBN 0803724942

Hit Squad

James Heneghan – Orca Book Publishers – 2003
Students at an upscale school decide to rid the halls of bullies who have taken over and reclaim the school for themselves. (High Interest Fiction – Teacher's guide available at orca.com)
ISBN 1551432692

Hold On

Alan Gibbons – Dolphin – 2005
Over 16 children per year commit suicide as a result of bullying by their peers. This painful, uncompromising thriller looks at the reason why it happens as John's best friend, Annie, relives his torment and last few days.
ISBN 1842551760

Kissing the Rain

Kevin Brooks – Scholastic – 2004
Michael is an overweight, working-class kid who escapes the daily jeers by retreating to a hidden spot for solitude. He's drawn out of his emotional shelter by being a witness to murder. The endlessly complicated case offers him three confessional choices. How will he use his new-found power?
ISBN 0439577434

The Loser's Club

John Lekich – Annick Press – 2002
Alex becomes known as "The Saviour" for helping out his fellow losers. He became their hero when he and two friends stood up to a gang of bullies running an extortion ring at their school. Full of comic plot twists that entangle the school administration and their home life, this book will speak to young people who have felt they were living on the periphery of school culture.
ISBN 1550377523 (pbk.)

Men of Stone

Gayle Friesen – Kids Can Press – 2000
Women fill Ben's family – but he can't talk to girls. He excels at ballet dancing, but the bullying is hardly worth it. Learning how his aunt dealt with the "Men of Stone", Stalin's secret police, gives Ben ideas about how to solve his own problems.
ISBN 1550747827

Misfits

James Howe – Atheneum Books for Young Readers – 2001
Four seventh-graders have felt like misfits for as long as they can remember. One of them is overweight, one is gay, one has been branded a hooligan since kindergarten, and the female misfit is very outspoken and rather tall. Now, with the student council elections coming up, they decide to put and end to the bullying. Their political platform has an effect on everyone in the school. Could banning name-calling really make such an impact?
ISBN 0689839553

Payback

James Heneghan – Groundwood Books/House of Anasi Press – 2007
Thirteen-year-old Charley is able to fight off the school bullies while he adjusts to his family's move from Ireland to Vancouver, but he feels guilt and a need to atone when the bullies push a classmate to commit suicide.
ISBN 0-88899-704-3

Peacekeepers

Dianne Linden – Coteau Books – 2003
Thirteen-year-old Nell and her brother are left with an uncle while their mother works for peace in Bosnia. Meanwhile, at school, a boy and his girlfriend have begun to pick on Nell, forcing her to consider changing schools.
ISBN 1550502719

Playground

50 Cent – Razorbill – 2011
A hard-hitting and inspirational novel about the experiences of a bully from international icon 50 Cent. Thirteen-year-old Butterball takes readers on a journey through the moments that made him into the playground bully he is today. This ultimately redemptive story is told in voice-driven prose and accented with drawings and photographs.
ISBN 9781595144348

Odd Girl Speaks Out: Girls Write About Bullies, Cliques, Popularity, and Jealousy

Rachel Simmons – Harcourt – 2004
This is a compilation of stories selected from the hundreds sent in by girls describing their experiences of being bullied and of bullying. Topics discussed include: when friends grow apart; when friends turn on you; aggression, fear and revenge, and life as the odd girl out. The concluding chapter offers realistic suggestions to help girls find inner strength.
ISBN 0156028158

Shattering Glass

Gail Giles – Roaring Brook Press – 2002
Fat, clumsy, Simon Glass is picked on continuously until charismatic Rob steps in. But, as Simon becomes more popular, he shows a devious side that power-hungry Rob did not expect. When secrets are revealed, the result is bone-chilling and brutal.
ISBN 0761315810

Scrawl

Mark Shulman – Roaring Brook Press – 2010
When eighth-grade school bully Tod and his friends get caught committing a crime on school property, his penalty – staying after school and writing in a journal under the eye of the school guidance counsellor – reveals aspects of himself that he prefers to keep hidden.
ISBN 9781596434172

Snakebite

Robert E.Swindells – Barrington Stoke Ltd. – 2006
Alex's estate is a concrete jungle. It;s survival of the fittest and Alex is way down on the food chain. At the top sits Mark and his gang. They've been hunting Alex for a long time. Today, they're going to bring him down. A fast-paced, compulsive read. (High interest fiction).
ISBN 1842994158

Who The Man

Chris Lynch – HarperCollins – 2002
A large thirteen-year-old boy comes of age in this poignant story. Penned from a bully's point of view, this story is at times hilarious and at other times heartbreaking, as a bully struggles to realize that size does not equal maturity.
ISBN 0066239389

Warp Speed

Lisa Yee – Arthur A. Levine Books – 2011
Entering 7th grade is no big deal for Marley Sandelski: Same old boring classes, same old boring life. The only thing he has to look forward to is the upcoming Star Trek convention. But when he inadvertently draws the attention of Digger Ronster, the biggest bully in school, his life has officially moved from boring to far too dramatic. As the principal drones on with fake platitudes about tolerance, Marley discovers Digger's brutal secret and decides to help him out. Funny, action-packed and with an authentic resolution.
ISBN 9780545154000

Who Will Tell My Brother?

Marlene Carvell – Hyperion Books for Children – 2002
Evan tries to persuade school officials to remove disparaging Indian mascots, and begins a soul searching exploration which exposes him to bullying, taunts, and increasing violence. This is the true story of a mixed-race teen caught in an examination of his identity, culture, and past.
ISBN 0786808276

Worse Than Boys

Catherine MacPhail – Bloomsbury – 2007
Hannah belongs to a gang called the Lip Gloss Girls, who are in a constant war with rival gang, the Hell Cats. Hannah feels safe and comfortable within the gang, but when she is accused of betraying the Lip Gloss Girls, she discovers what it is like to be cast out and surrounded by enemies. A fast-paced tale dealing with the growing culture of girl gangs in schools.
ISBN 9780747582762

Websites


Anti-bullying Network

The Young People's section of this site from the University of Edinburgh introduces students to eight peers who share their experiences with bullying. The site also includes audio-visual online resources by and for young people.
(antibullying.net)

BullyingCanada.ca

Several young people developed this site as a place where youth can talk to and learn from youth about bullying and its effects. Includes online chat option and a video library.
(bullyingcanada.ca)

Bullying No Way!

This Australian site covers the issue of bullying with an audience of students from age 8-12 in mind. Features various online animated videos on the topic.
(bullyingnoway.gov.au)

Bullying.org: Where You Are Not Alone

This site contains a variety of informative articles for junior and intermediate students. Also includes an online forum where students can share their thoughts, poems or stories on the topic.
(bullying.org)

Carneigie Cyber Academy

Carnegie Mellon University
This animated site offers an interactive spy-based game that teaches Internet safety and computer security in a safe, fun setting. Mini-games and activities on bullying are also included.
(carnegiecyberacademy.com)

Kids Help Phone

Designed for students, this excellent website offers help and information; their material is divided into appropriate sections for different age groups: children up to age 12; and ages 13 and up.
Here, kids can have a sympathetic ear: 1-800-668-6868
(kidshelpphone.ca)

Teens Against Bullying

Pacer Center
This site reviews how to identify and deal with bullying. There's plenty of solid advice offered via videos, stories, quizzes, and more.
(pacerteensagainstbullying.org)

Stop Bullying Now

This site contains good information for junior-and intermediate-aged students on bullying including What Bullying Is, What You Can Do, Cool Stuff, and What Adults Can Do. The Cool Stuff section has animated webisodes on bullying along with 8 games.
(stopbullying.gov)

Stop Cyberbullying

This site for tweens gives information and advice about cyberbullying and includes a quiz where they can determine their own role in this issue.
(stopcyberbullying.org)

Videos/DVDs


Bully 911: Self Defence to Prevent Bullying

Johnny Gyro and Noel Gyro (86 mins.)
This film inspires confidence in coping with bullies by giving children and youth tools for escaping without getting hurt. The video teaches simple but effective techniques for defending against chokeholds, hair pulling, arm grabs, and more. Also includes a forum on bullies and bullying with parents, kids, and child psychologists.

Bullying - There's Always a Way Out

Mazzarella Media (30 mins.)
In this documentary teens demonstrate how they deal with bullies encountered in real life and on the Internet. Students learn how to protect themselves from bullies, how bystanders can contribute to the problem, and how to speak up and stop bullying.

Conflict Resolution Series

Schlessinger Media (15-20 mins. each)
Students face many difficult situations in their day-to-day lives. With this Conflict Resolution Series students learn effective decision-making skills and coping strategies through the use of dramatizations or real-life situations, plus the opportunity to reflect on choices made by kids just like themselves. Topics explored include Bullying, Harassment, Peer Pressure and Sexual Harassment.

Field of Vision

Gregg Champion (84 mins.)
High school football star Tyler McFarland is poised to lead his team to a state championship, but he faces a dilemma of conscience when he learns that two of his teammates are bullying Cory, a new kid on the team. The story takes a sanitized but honest look at bullying – viewers will come away with a better understanding of how this negative behavior can hurt others and cost the instigators their reputations and privileges in school.

It Gets Better Project

In September 2010, syndicated columnist Dan Savage created a YouTube video with his partner Terry Miller to inspire hope for young people facing harassment. In response to a number of students taking their own lives after being bullied in school, they wanted to create a personal way for supporters everywhere to tell LGBT youth that, yes, it does indeed get better. The It Gets Better Project has become a worldwide movement, inspiring more than 50,000 user-created videos viewed more than 50 million times.
(itgetsbetter.org)

No More Bullies

St. Peter's High School and Majic 100 (3.5 mins.)
This mini-documentary, filmed and created by students at St. Peter's High School, is a stirring call for bystanders to speak up against bullying. Short but inspiring.
(YouTube)

Submit the Documentary: The Virtual Reality of Cyberbullying

Muta'Ali Muhammad (60 mins.)
This compelling documentary tells the stories of children and families who have been affected by the harsh reality of cyberbullying. Also features interviews with educators, experts and law enforcement as they tackle this worldwide issue and offer possible solutions to this complicated problem.
(submitthedocumentary.com)

Taking Bullying Seriously

COPA (14 mins.)
This DVD documents the short- and long-term impact of bullying on young people. Children’s viewpoints and adults memories of what it was like to be bullied and how it affects them now form the basis of this unscripted, moving testimonial to the importance of preventing bullying.
(YouTube)

To This Day

Shane Koyczan (7 mins.)
This powerful poem about the lasting impacts of bullying, but also the strength of survival, is stunningly illustrated. A must see.
(genius.com)