Intermediate / Secondary Reviews (Overseas books)

International Reviewed Books:


Bully on the bus by Kathryn Apel The bully on the bus taunts Leroy, then silences him with threats of worse to come. To distract him, his teacher introduces him to the adventures in The Big Bad Book of Fairytales. Hidden throughout are the clues that Leroy needs to overcome the bullying taunts once and for all. Read Kim Higginson's review here.
Real friends by Shannon Hale Newbery Honor author Shannon Hale and New York Timesbestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham join forces in this graphic memoir about how hard it is to find your real friends—and why it's worth the journey. Read Kim Higginson's review here.
I am Jack by Susanne Gervay Susanne Gervay's thoughtful story sheds light on the contagious and destructive nature of school bullying, and the power of humor, love, and community to overcome it. Read Kim Higginson's review here.
The big little book of resilience by Matthew Johnstone The Big Little Book of Resilience is about developing flexibility, acceptance and self-compassion when those plans go awry. In this beautifully illustrated book, Matthew Johnstone guides the reader to an understanding of how resilience plays a key role in wellbeing. He offers an accessible roadmap to developing and maintaining resilience and how it can help you overcome and learn from difficult life events. Read Ivan Yeo's review here.
Starving the anger gremlin: A cognitive behavioural therapy workbook on anger management for young people by Kate Collins-Donnelly This imaginative workbook shows young people how to starve their anger gremlin and control their anger effectively. Read Kim Higginson's review here.
Turtles all the way down by John Green John Green shares Aza's story with shattering, unflinching clarity in this brilliant novel of love, resilience, and the power of lifelong friendship. Read Sophia Graham's review here.
Bully by Patricia Polacco Patricia Polacco has taken up the cause against bullies ever since Thank You, Mr. Falker, and her passion shines through in this powerful story of a girl who stands up for a friend. Read Kim Higginson's review here.
Dare! / Wierd! /Tough! by Erin Frankel These three books tell the story of an ongoing case of bullying from three third graders’ perspectives. Luisa describes being targeted by bullying in Weird! Jayla shares her experience as a bystander to bullying in Dare! And in Tough!, Sam speaks from the point of view of someone initiating bullying. Kids will easily relate to Luisa, Jayla, and Sam, as each girl has her own unique experience, eventually learning how to face her challenges with the help of friends, peers, and caring adults. Read Evie Ryan and Anna Mowat's review here.
Nobody! A Story About Overcoming Bullying in Schools by Erin Frankel Thomas feels like no matter what he does, he can’t escape Kyle’s persistent bullying. At school, at soccer—nowhere feels safe! “Mom said Kyle would grow up over the summer and stop picking on me, but he didn’t grow up, he just grew.” With support from friends, classmates, and adults, Thomas starts to feel more confident in himself and his hobbies, while Kyle learns the importance of kindness to others. Read Kim Higginson's review here.
The survival guide to bullying by Aija Mayrock Written by a teenager who was bullied throughout middle school and high school, this kid-friendly book offers a fresh and relatable perspective on bullying. Along the way, the author offers guidance as well as different strategies that helped her get through even the toughest of days. Read Neeve Edwards-Brown's review here.
Fighting invisible tigers: Stress management for teens by Earl Hipp - 3rd ed This book offers proven techniques that teens can use to deal with stressful situations in school, at home, and among friends. They'll find current information on how stress affects health and decision making and learn stress-management skills to handle stress in positive ways--including assertiveness, positive self-talk, time management, relaxation exercises, and much more. Read Portia Devonshire's review here.
Confessions of a former bully by Trudy Ludwig After Katie gets caught teasing a schoolmate, she's told to meet with Mrs. Petrowski, the school counselor, so she can make right her wrong and learn to be a better friend. Bothered at first, it doesn't take long before Katie realizes that bullying has hurt not only the people around her, but her, too. Read Elise McGregor's review here.

Mind your head by Juno Dawson From the critically acclaimed author of THIS BOOK IS GAY, James Dawson, now writing as Juno Dawson. We all have a mind, so we all need to take care of our mental health as much as we need to take care of our physical health. And the first step is being able to talk about our mental health. Juno Dawson leads the way with this frank, factual and funny book, with added information and support from clinical psychologist Dr Olivia Hewitt. Read Rachel McLean's review here.
My anxiety handbook: My anxiety handbook: A guide for getting back on track by Bridie Gallagher, Phoebe McEwen, and Sue Knowles Helping young people with anxiety learn to recognise and manage their symptoms, this anxiety survival guide teaches 12 to 18 year olds how they can overcome their biggest worries. Co-written with a college student who has experienced anxiety herself. Read Kiefer Hunt's review here.
Stick Up for Yourself! Every Kid’s Guide to Personal Power and Positive Self-Esteem (Revised & Updated 3rd Edition) by Gershen Kaufman Kids learn how to build relationships, become responsible, manage their anger, grow a “feelings vocabulary,” make good choices, solve problems, set goals, and “store” happiness and pride. Questions from real kids are paired with answers about how to handle specific situations calmly, confidently, and effectively. Read Datoka Shute's review here.
Dear bully: Seventy authors tell their stories edited by Megan Kelley Hall & Carrie Jones Today's top authors for teens and young people come together to share their stories about bullying-as bystanders, as victims, and as the bullies themselves-in this moving and deeply personal collection. Read Honor Jackson's review here.

Intermediate / Secondary Reviews (Overseas books)

International Reviewed Books:

Bully on the bus by Kathryn Apel

Real friends by Shannon Hale

I am Jack by Susanne Gervay

The big little book of resilience by Matthew Johnstone

Starving the anger gremlin: A cognitive behavioural therapy workbook on anger management for young people by Kate Collins-Donnelly

Turtles all the way down by John Green

Bully by Patricia Polacco

Dare! / Wierd! /Tough! by Erin Frankel

Nobody! A Story About Overcoming Bullying in Schools by Erin Frankel

The survival guide to bullying by Aija Mayrock

Fighting invisible tigers: Stress management for teens by Earl Hipp - 3rd ed

Confessions of a former bully by Trudy Ludwig

Mind your head by Juno Dawson

My anxiety handbook: My anxiety handbook: A guide for getting back on track by Bridie Gallagher, Phoebe McEwen, and Sue Knowles

Stick Up for Yourself! Every Kid’s Guide to Personal Power and Positive Self-Esteem (Revised & Updated 3rd Edition) by Gershen Kaufman

Dear bully: Seventy authors tell their stories edited by Megan Kelley Hall & Carrie Jones

“Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!”