StopBullying.gov

Website Details
This website sponsored by the U.S. government is managed by the Department of Health & Human Services in partnership with the Department of Education and Department of Justice.    It is divided into sections for Kids, Teens, Young Adults, Parents and Educators.  Focusing on the Teens section, the reader is given several options to browse for understanding what bullying is, how to recognize warning signs and very important - how to get help. Another option within this section is similar to other books, websites and videos featured here which is how to take a stand against bullying. Some of the key ideas presented here include: “Everyone has the right to feel safe in their school and community.” “Take a stand and do not join in.” “Do not watch someone being bullied.” “Support the person being bullied.” “Talk to an adult you trust.”  Other valuable features of the website are a link to a video from the March 10, 2011 White House conference on bullying prevention, links to other online resources, research papers on bullying, a section on Cyberbullying, a Youth Leader toolkit and a section on youth LGBT bullying.
Review
The fact that the United States government deems the issue of bullying significant enough to create a website devoted to it is noteworthy. This is a good basic resource and would be helpful for anyone seeking information on the topic.

Interest Age/Reading Level
This is a very valuable resource which is very user-friendly and easily recommended for tweens.

StopBullying.gov. Home | StopBullying.gov. Retrieved March 10, 2011, from http://stopbullying.gov

Stopping Verbal Bullying - New Dimension Media

Video Details
One of the first words that come to mind to describe this video is authentic.  The majority of the production is focused on middle school students who are sharing their stories of being bullied, bullying and witnessing bullying. Their stories are obviously true. These are not child actors reading from a script.  The emotional trauma of a young girl is obvious as she recalls being shunned and made fun of beginning in the fourth grade.  She describes the desperation of not knowing who to trust and internalizing the extreme and constant pain and threat of being bullied.  Another young girl describes how she has now reflected on her part in bullying others and clearly is remorseful and has even made amends with her victim through a personal letter and a public apology that both come across as sincere. The younger brother of another victim witnessed the bullying of  his sister and then was inspired to start an anti bullying campaign at his middle school to bring awareness and offer solutions. 
Review
This video is available for checkout at public libraries and would be a great beginning for any tween interested in exploring any aspect of bullying. The video includes suggestions for real-life solutions. It also includes a study guide to assist any teachers willing to open the discussion of bullying in the classroom. This is an excellent resource.

Interest Age/Reading Level

Recommended for Grades 6 through 12.

Part of The Emmy Award winning series: Connect With Kids

CWKNetwork. (2007). Stopping Verbal Bullying [DVD]. United States of America: New Dimension Media.

Bullying by Beth Rosenthal

Book Details
This book is part of an “Introducing Issues with Opposing Viewpoints” series.  It allows for creating a discussion around the topic of bullying while at the same time promoting critical thinking.  Although this book seems best suited for use in a classroom setting, it certainly would serve as another excellent resource for tweens wanting to explore the topic on their own.  At first glance the opposing viewpoints format seems perhaps forced to fit the topic, but on closer investigation one discovers the complexity of bullying does in fact lead to many different theories and opinions about many aspects of bullying. One example of opposing viewpoints in the book is the contrast between two programs designed to prevent bullying yet with very different philosophies.  One program helps the victim by providing support from parents, bullies, bystanders schools and communities. The other program believes the only way to end the cycle is for the victim to befriend the bully.  Other aspects include; the role of video game violence in bullying, the influence of parents behavior and television, homeschooling as a prevention, victims fighting back and regulating recess at schools.   There are many “Fast Facts” throughout the book like “As of March 2007, forty-one states have antistalking statutes that specifically address cyberbullying.”
Review
I especially like the “Facts about Bullying” section that reveals such facts as 160,000 children miss school every day out of fear of being bullied and that bullying takes place most often in grades 6 through 8. Graphics, charts and photographs enhance the interest and readability of the book. Nine organizations, fifteen books, over sixty journal articles and three websites are provided as further resources on the topic.  Definitely recommended.

Interest Age/Reading Level
Recommended for grades 7 to 9

Rosenthal, B. (2008). Bullying. Detroit: Greenhaven Press.

Letters to a Bullied Girl by Olivia Gardner

Book Details
Olivia Gardner was in middle school when she suffered an epileptic seizure in front of her classmates. Instead of responding with compassion and kindness, some of the students unleashed a bullying campaign against Olivia that was filled with hate. They taunted her, dragged her backpack through the mud and even wore “I Hate Olivia” bracelets.  This unwarranted treatment sent Olivia into the depths of despair, self-doubt and on the verge of taking her own life.  And then a miracle happened. Two sisters named Emily and Sarah Buder, who were 17 and 14 years old at the time, heard of Olivia’s situation and were so moved to help her that they devised a letter writing campaign called “Olivia’s Letters” to counteract the bullying.  Thousands of people were so moved by the invitation of the Buder sisters that they wrote letters of support and hope. People wrote in and expressed their remorse for having bullied others in the past. People wrote in to share their stories of being bullied.  Many had been bullied twenty or even thirty years before.
Review
This book contains over one hundred of the letters of encouragement that dramatically changed the life of Olivia.  “I understand your pain.” “You are a beautiful and special girl.” “I cannot even begin to comprehend how people can be so cruel.” “ You deserve to be loved and you are!” These are the types of  messages contained in the letters.  This is an incredible and inspiring book and I would highly recommend it to all.

Interest Age/Reading Level
Recommended for ages 11 and up.

Gardner, O., Buder, E., & Buder, S. (2008). Letters to a bullied girl: messages of healing and hope. New York: Harper.

Take a Stand! What YOU can Do about BULLYING by Carrie Golus

Book Details
This book is written with the tween in mind.  It is an excellent resource for exploring the topic of bullying. If a tween is looking to be informed, seek help or find solutions to bullying this is an excellent first read on the topic.   In a very user friendly and modern format (the book was published in 2009) the reader can learn about what bullying is and the many forms that it takes.  A great feature of the book is the inclusion of celebrities who were bullied and and were able to overcome the great difficulty victims of bullying face and have highly visible successful lives.  Some of the celebrities in the book are Tom Cruise, Eminem and Kate Winslet.   Another great feature of the book is the inclusion of “Bully Stoppers” which are tips for dealing with and finding solutions to bullying. These are interspersed throughout the chapters.  Cyberbullying is given its own chapter and it is highly informative and clearly appropriate for the present. Tweens are given strategies for stopping bullying starting with reminding them that if they are being bullied it is not their fault and they are not alone - there is help available.  There are excellent resources for finding more information on anti-bullying programs in schools and several suggested readings and websites.
Review
The graphics in this book and its layout are phenomenal.  This is the best book I have found so far that I would recommend to a tween on the topic of bullying.

Interest Age/Reading Level
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.  Reading level: 5.0

Golus, C., & Desrocher, J. (2009). Take a stand!: what you can do about bullying. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications Co.