Don't Look and It Will Go Away: YA Books-A Key to Uncovering the Invisible Problem of Bullying

Cheerleader or choir member? Besides not looking and hoping it will go away, another thing we do wrong is we don't start early enough. Because bullies so often single out kids who don't fit in or who are "different," it's vital for schools to do everything they can to be welcoming and inclusive, and it's equally important for schools to have books that are inclusive, as well. Listening to real teens, like Johanna in my novel Things Change, trapped in a violent dating relationship; teens like Bret in Nailed, a well-rounded victim of violence trapped in a square box; and teens like Christy in my forthcoming novel Chasing Tail Lights, trapped in a generational poverty and a horrific family life. The other day I was at work when a gay couple walked in and a co-worker of mine was making fun of them and I ended up arguing with him about how wrong I felt that it was for him to be saying what he was saying and I realized it was because of YOU that I spoke up. Bullies who are allowed to go on being bullies are at risk of continuing their pattern of escalating cruelty and violence into adulthood, becoming criminals or adult bullies. Because bullies so often single out kids who don't fit in or who are "different" if s vital for schools to do everything they can to be welcoming and inclusive, and if s equally important for schools to have books that are inclusive, as well.