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By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: January 25, 2010

Thanks to Lauren Donovan from Random House Kids, I have the following book list to pass on …

Join in GLSEN’s No Name-Calling Week (January 24-28, 2011) with titles from Random House Children’s Books:

CONFESSIONS OF A FORMER BULLY
By Trudy Ludwig; Illustrated by Beth Adams
(Tricycle Press / on sale August 24, 2010 / $18.99 / Ages 8-12)

Ever wonder what goes on in the mind of a bully? Katie has been caught bullying a classmate and now she’s in big trouble: both her parents and the principal insist that she meet with the school counselor, Mrs. Petrowski, to get to the bottom of her behavior. Mrs. Petrowski encourages Katie to keep a diary where Katie can explore her reasons for bullying and the repercussions of what she’s done, not only for those around her, but for Katie herself. Over the course of writing her journal, Katie uncovers the various forms bullying can take, both emotional and physical. She discovers how her actions have isolated her from her peers and kept her from making real friendships. Ultimately, Katie comes to the conclusion that she needs to make right her wrong and learn how to become a better friend. Chock full of useful, real-life advice and information, Confessions of a Former Bully will help kids identify bullying right from the start and gives them a “toolbox” with everything they need to stop it in its tracks. The notebook format, including full-color cartoons and relevant facts and quotes, makes this highly accessible for upper elementary students. Trudy Ludwig is an award–winning author who specializes in writing children’s books that explore the colorful and sometimes confusing world of children’s social interactions. She has received rave reviews nationwide from educators, experts, organizations, and parents for her passion and compassion in addressing relational aggression—the use of relationships to manipulate and hurt others. Since her first book, My Secret Bully, she has become a sought–after speaker, presenting at schools and conferences around the country and educating students, parents, and teachers on the topic. She has been featured on television, radio and in print.

“Confessions of a Former Bully is unmatched in providing effective tools for girls and boys in EVERY social role, whether they are instigators, targets or bystanders. Rarely does a book speak so effectively to both kids and adults alike; certainly a must-read for all young children, as well as educators and counselors.”
–Melissa Norman, Founder & Executive Director, Girl CHARGE, Inc

Add this book to your collection: Confessions of a Former Bully

GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLS’ ROOM: A Blogtastic! Novel
By Rose Cooper
(Delacorte Press / on sale January 11, 2011 / $12.99 / Ages 10 & up)

In Rose Cooper’s debut novel, one sixth grader is all ears—and puts it all online, until she discovers a secret so juicy, it has the power t

By Phoebe Vreeland, The Children’s Book Review
Published: September 27, 2010

Confessions of a Former Bully

by Trudy Ludwig (Author), Beth Adams (Illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 8-12

Hardcover: 48 pages

Publisher: Tricycle Press (August 24, 2010)

Source: Author

Ten-year old Katie has hung up her bully hat.  With gentle nudges from parents, principal and school counselor, she is now sharing her secrets with you and your child so that the bullying can stop. 

Katie is a creation of author Trudy Ludwig in her latest offering to tweens, Confessions of a Former Bully. After five books, Ludwig has become much beloved by kids, parents and teachers.  This award winning author has truly become an advocate for children in the area of social justice.  Her former books deal with a variety of issues helping kids navigate the perils of social situations.  In 2005, her first book My Secret Bully, disarmed the frenemy.  In Just Kidding, Ludwig tackled teasing.  Sorry exposed the insincere apology and Trouble Talk illuminated the problems of gossiping.  Her fifth book, Too Perfect (read review), shed light on the problems of perfectionism.  The latest book builds on this body of work and offers a new perspective—that of the reformed aggressor. Now with the help of Katie, we can pull the curtain on the bully once and for all.

Confessions of a Former Bully is written in the guise of a journal.  The school principal has asked Katie to meet with the school counselor Mrs. Petrowski once a week as consequence for her unkind actions, in order to learn more about bullying behavior and how to be a better friend.  Her parents have asked her to keep a journal about what she has learned.

Illustrator Beth Adams’ child-like drawings and margin doodles help create an authentic tween journal feel. While it is written in the voice of a tween, Katie is clearly smart and there is no annoying tween jargon. The handwritten type-face and faux taped-in snippets help create the journal feel.  But lest you judge this book by its cover, beware—Katie’s journal is in no way jejune.  It is chock-full of helpful information, charts, “Quick Facts”, reflections and revelations.  Knowledge comes in many ways, like Mrs. Petrowski’s “Think-About It” cards.  These bright yellow quote cards offer gems from the greats: Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Te