Say No to Bullying – Reading Suggestion for Y7 to Y10 Students
1. Hello universe (Erin Entrada Kelly) - in English
In one day, four lives weave together in unexpected ways. Virgil Salinas is shy and kindhearted and feels out of place in his crazy-about-sports family. Valencia Somerset, who is deaf, is smart, brave, and secretly lonely, loves everything about nature. Kaori Tanaka is a self-proclaimed psychic, whose little sister, Gen, is always following her around. And Chet Bullens wishes the weird kids would just stop being so different so he can concentrate on basketball. They aren't friends, at least not until Chet pulls a prank that traps Virgil and his pet guinea pig at the bottom of a well. This disaster leads Kaori, Gen, and Valencia on an epic quest to find missing Virgil. Through luck, bravery, and a little help from the universe, a rescue is performed, a bully is put in his place, and friendship blooms. Find it on the Library online platform
2. Other Boys (Damian Alexander) - in English
In this book, debut author Damian Alexander delivers a moving middle grade graphic memoir about his struggles with bullying, the death of his mother, and coming out. Damian is the new kid at school, and he has a foolproof plan to avoid the bullying that's plagued him his whole childhood: he's going to stop talking. Starting on the first day seventh grade, he won't utter a word. If he keeps his mouth shut, the bullies will have nothing to tease him about-right? But Damian's vow of silence doesn't work-his classmates can tell there's something different about him. His family doesn't look like the kind on TV: his mother is dead, his father is gone, and he's being raised by his grandparents in a low-income household. And Damian does things that boys aren't supposed do, like play with Barbies instead of GI Joe. Kids have teased him about this his whole life, especially other boys. But if boys can be so cruel, why does Damian have a crush on one? Find it on the Library online platform
3. Des bleus au cartable (Muriel Zürcher) - in French
As she enters sixth grade, Lana is mistreated from the very first day of school. Ralph makes her his scapegoat, and Zélie pretends not to see anything, wishing to be loved and popular at all costs. A novel that explores the mechanisms of school bullying through the victim's perspective, a bystander, and the bully. Find it on the Library online platform
4. De la rage dans mon cartable (Noémya Grohan) - in french
When a traumatic life experience turns into a duty to testify and engage. Every year in France, one in ten children is a victim of bullying at school (official figures from the Act against Bullying in School website). During her middle school years, Noémya experienced everything that makes up the daily life of bullied students: regular teasing, systematic isolation, the weight of shame, self-reproach for not having reacted to the attacks, the indifference of the teaching world, the progressive loss of confidence, the temptation to break everything, and how many times the desire to end this life of suffering. But, alongside the rage she had hidden "deep in her schoolbag," Noémya concealed other resources that no bully could destroy: her desire to act and her literary talent. Find it on the library online platform
5. Six contre un (Cécile Alix) - in French
Every day, Ludo is pushed around, mocked, and humiliated by six boys from his middle school. Every day, he takes it. The intimidations, the fear, and even the blows. How far will they go? What will be the outcome? And if, when everything seems hopeless, there remains a glimmer, a promise of balance? Find it on the Library online platform
6. Victoire-Divine. Tome 1, La loi du collège (Edith Kabuya) - in french
Victoire-Divine Kembonayawhé is 14 years old, has all her teeth, and a sharp wit to boot! A deserving student, she has earned a scholarship to attend the most prestigious boarding school in the region. However, her school is not a haven of peace: the students there reign supreme! Well, some students do. Every year, the most popular ones choose a scapegoat who will endure the contempt and mockery of all. Victoire-Divine has decided to protest against this dreadful tradition. To punish her, the monarchy designates her as the new Untouchable… But, unlike all the previous victims, Victoire-Divine has no intention of allowing herself to be mistreated without a fight. Only one solution is evident: declare war on bullying and overturn the school's law. Find it on the Library platform
7. Harcèlement (Guy Jimenes) - in French
Valentin is alone. Alone in a middle school where no teacher, no educator has noticed his suffering. Alone in a class where all the students know, but say nothing. Alone facing the insidious violence of someone who could have been a friend… How does one defend oneself then, when all hope is lost, how does one get through it when the taste for life is gone? Find it on the Library platform
8. Les petites reines (Clémentine Beauvais) - in French
Every year, in a middle school/high school in Bourg-en-Bresse, a student posts on Facebook about the "Boudin Awards": the Golden, Silver, and Bronze Boudin for the three girls deemed the ugliest. The story is told from the perspective of Mireille, who for the first time has been chosen as the Bronze Boudin instead of the Golden Boudin. Along with the other two "Boudins," they decide to turn this award on its head. To do so, they ride their bikes to Paris, selling boudin all along their journey… Find it on the Library platform
9. Le garçon qui ne voulait pas parler (Cassandra O'Donnell) - in French
When Morgane arrives at her middle school, Asante's life is turned upside down. He is the only one to show kindness, while the other students mock her. Asante, who has not spoken a word in three years, will he dare to speak up to protect his friend? Following the success of "La Nouvelle," Cassandra O'Donnell returns with a poignant novel about respecting differences and freedom of expression. Find it on the Library online platform
