Bullying in its various forms is prevalent in schools around the globe, and sadly, many children learn, practice and experience bullying beginning at a very young age. To those being bullied, bullies often appear intimidating, strong and confident. They wreak havoc on a child’s self esteem and confidence while working hard to improve their own. Anyone who has been bullied knows that dealing with a bully is a daunting task. But there are ways. The first step is for school-aged children to talk about the topic. Author Jacquie Ream’s pre-teen series, Bully Dogs, creates the perfect opportunity for school-aged children from elementary to junior high to do just that.
To create more dialogue around bullying, Jaquie is visiting schools, libraries and youth groups with her “Don’t Be a Bully Dog” presentation. In a safe classroom setting, and through the discussion of the challenges, obstacles and solutions her Bully Dogs characters experience, her goal is to create a fun and comfortable way for children to express their own feelings, experiences and solutions for bullying in their everyday lives.
Learn About Jacquie’s “Don’t Be a Bully Dog” Presentation
STORY SUMMARIES
Book One: Bully Dogs
Faced with her neighbor’s three ferocious dogs, and a group of girls at school determined to put her down, Fran isn’t sure whether to stand up for herself or sit the tough times out. Fran’s chore-centric mother is no help! And one of her best friends, Annie, has begun hanging out with the bullies. When Fran sees that her school’s volleyball team won’t succeed unless the bullying ends, she realizes she’ll have to stand up for herself. But who should she face first: the vicious-looking dogs who chase her to school, or the girls who try to make her feel bad about being herself?
As Fran begins to discover her own strength and find her self-confidence, she sees bullies are like growling dogs who just won’t go away. And Bully Dogs proves that when it comes to bullies, their bark can be worse than their bite!
Read Bully Dogs on Jacquie's blog for FREE>>
REVIEWS"Bully Dogs has to be the best book on bullying! My fourth-grader and I were laughing, relating, and nodding in agreement!" "Jacquie Ream’s Bully Dogs is the most effective tool out today for teaching children about bullying! Unlike stale non-fiction, Jacquie’s book teaches with a character anyone can relate to!"
Book Two: YNK (You Never Know) It is not easy to be 13 and going into the seventh grade. Frances Reed, our gal from Bully Dogs, once again faces her peers in, YNK You Never Know, second in a series about her coming of age. Fran gets a new look, a first kiss and a revised perspective on her relationships with boys, girlfriends and parents. She has to once again deal with bullies, and with some tragic consequences of bad choices. Through all the whirlwind changes, Frances must make moral decisions that impact her relationships with her parents, her girlfriends and her boy/friend, redefining herself along the way. People change, circumstances change, from one minute to the next, life changes, and you never know what will happen next.
Book Three: A Penny in Time Life is dumping a load of changes on thirteen-year-old Dusty, one of Fran's close friends. Her best friend only cares about makeup and boys. Her recently divorced dad has a new girlfriend who loves everything frilly and pink. And she's wondering about the strange feelings she has for her friend Frank. A fantastical trip in another dimension—or was it only a dream?—gives Dusty a fuller perspective and points her in the right direction in A Penny in Time, third in a series about Fran and her friends coming of age. Dusty learns she cannot change those around her but she can remain in charge of her choices—when to adapt, how much to compromise, and most important, how to remain true to herself. |