John Meyer - Bullying Under Attack: True Stories Written by Teen Victims, Bullies & Bystanders

Endorsements for
Bullying Under Attack

Wow. What a timely achievementthe only book about the problem of bullying entirely written by teenagers. I know their personal stories will move you, anger you, inspire youeven scare you. A great read for a great cause.

R. L. Stine, author of the Goosebumps series

Heart-felt and heart-wrenching stories, straight from the experiences of the bullied, the bystanders, and those who have bullied. Exceptional writing from all, and so worth the read.

Ellen Hopkins, The New York Times bestselling young adult author

Bullying comes in many forms: name calling, shutting out, character assassination, humiliation... even getting spit at. All of which happened to me. This important book takes on an issue all of us can relate to because it happened to so many of us. Its refreshing and at times heartbreaking to hear the experiences of these young people. Their voices remind us that bullying is still an issue for children of all ages, and their stories bring a fresh perspective to an old story. Bullying Under Attack is a unique wakeup call for parents, teachers, and bullies, victims, and bystanders to stop, listen, and think about the power of their words and actions.

Vanessa Williams

I was never a victim... never a bully... but bystander? Oh, yes. I was too often a bystander. Maybe I am, sometimes still. This meaningful book will kindle sparks of recognition in many of us, along with a reminder that we can change.

Lois Lowry, author of The Giver

Its great that Teen Ink has given a wide array of teenagers a chance to speak out on bullying!

Emily Bazelon, author of Sticks and Stones

Can there be any truer YA literature than that created by young adults themselves? These stories and poems about bullying are wrenchingly beautiful in their honesty and sometimes remarkable in their insight. I have to believe that they will serve as a welcome salve for the wounds and loneliness of those who are bullied as well as wake-up call for the bullies who so often cannot comprehend the pain they inflict.

Todd Strasser, author of The Wave

People say that some books are mirrors and some are windows. That is to say, readers can find themselves reflected in the stories, or see out of their own narrow lives into a broader view. The stories in this collection will do this for you.

Gregory Maguire, Author of Out of Oz,
the Final Volume of the Wicked Years

Without detracting from what experts understand about bullying, there is no substitute for direct testimony by victims, victimizers, and bystanders. In this unique collection, young people describe their own experiences vividly and, in the process, reveal what they have learned about others and about themselves.

Howard Gardner, professor of education at Harvard University, author of Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences

Bullying Under Attack s gripping firsthand accounts take you inside bullying from every vantage point. Writing with honesty, clarity, and heart, these brave young people illuminate a topic society prefers to squint at. Inspiring.

Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus,

authors of The Nanny Diaries

With bullying on everyones mind, this book offers great insight into the real-life stories of those most affected: the victim, the bystander, and the bully. A must-read for parents, educators, and teens who want to understand the severity of the bully crisis.

Peter Buffett, environmentalist and philanthropist

For almost a quarter of a century, Teen Ink has been encouraging young people to write and then has published those pieces. These heartfelt essays and poems explore the issues faced by teenagers today. I applaud their efforts because they not only help young people deal with their own lives but also encourage the budding authors of the next generation.

Anita Silvey, creator of Childrens Book-a-Day Almanac

Health Communications, Inc.

Deerfield Beach, Florida

www.hcibooks.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Teen Ink : bullying under attack : true stories written by teen victims, bullies & bystanders / Stephanie H. Meyer, John Meyer, Emily Sperber, Heather Alexander.

pages cm

ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-1760-6 (Paperback)

ISBN-10: 0-7573-1760-X (Paperback)

ISBN-13: 978-0-7573-1761-3 (ePub)

1. AdolescenceLiterary collections. 2. Youths writings, American. 1. BulliesFiction.

2. AdolescenceLiterary collections. 3. Youths writings. I. Meyer, Stephanie H.

II. Meyer, John. III. Sperber, Emily. IV. Alexander, Heather. V. Title: Bullying under attack.

PZ5.T2947 2013

[Fic]dc23

2013020767

2013 Stephanie H. Meyer, John Meyer, Emily Sperber, and Heather Alexander

All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

HCI, its logos, and marks are the trademarks of Health Communications, Inc.

Publisher: Health Communications, Inc.
3201 S.W. 15th Street
Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-8190

Cover design by Sherri Baker Hamilton

Interior formatting by Dawn Von Strolley Grove

We dedicate this book to
Matthew and Tommy Hong, our precious grandsons,
in hopes that you and your generation
never have to experience the bullying
described in this book.

CONTENTS

Foreword John Halligan

Preface Lee Hirsch

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter One: Savage Young Beasts

Never Again Elizabeth Ditty

Slip n Slide Autumn Bornholdt

A Bullys Confession Michael Ortiz

Living Hell Gwen Harrison

Vultures Nicole Rossi

Pushed Too Far Caitlyn Hannon

Pride and Prejudice Hillel Zand

Sympathy for the Devil Jack Bentele

The Solitary Jenica Jessen

Devin Scotts Story Megan Haddox

We Cant All Be In Kaitlyn Blais

Chapter Two: Survive It

Befriending My Bully Jaemin (Joseph) Lee

King Worm Robert Hwang

Rhino Skin Sarah Hamel

If We Were Allies Kaylee Euler

I Forgive You Grace Park

Unfriendly Fire Jordan Molineux

Nobodys Power Megan LaColla Linquist

Standing Up for Simone Damiana B. Andonova

Gayboy Andrew Ramos

Kids, Meet the Real World Elizabeth Ditty

If My Pillow Could Speak Claire Davis

Chapter Three: Standing Up

Take a Joke, Sweetheart Jessica C. Rockeman

How Are You? Gemma Hahn

Singing His Praise Milan Thakkar

Done Being a Victim Brandi ODonnell

Some Say Good, I Say Pain Natalie Rivera

Turn Around Bridgette Rainey

Enter Girl Maggie Brooks

Chapter Four: Celebrate Diversity

Thanks, Jacob Lamisa Chowdhury

The Orange Bracelet David Chrzanowski

The Smallest Star Summer Davis

Uncivil Discourse Altay Sedat Otun

The Christmas Tree Ashley E.

The R-Word Lily Houghton

And It Keeps Swinging Julie Block

Silent No More James Sares

Chapter Five: Friend or Foe?

Cheyenne Kaitlyn Hope Partin

My Frenemy Elana Burack

The Bullet Kenzie Estep

Finding Caroline Jessica Martin

My Friends, My Bullies Emily C. Farrugia

The Worst Thing About Bullying Rachel Chevat

Confessions of an Ex-Bully Amy Norton

Dear Friend Meia Geddes

Attack of the Mean Girls Lena Rawley

A Walk on the Wild Side Kathryn Ferentchak

A Plea Karina M. Dutra