The Skinny on Bullying: The Legend of Gretchen

Every now and then (insert a light year between the now and then) a book comes along that’s so IMPORTANT the book reviewer is left searching for words like Gollum searched for his preciousssss.

It’s my fervent hope that as I lie in the floor of our home office writing these words I don’t physically resemble Gollum. I do, however, feel his pain.

Precioussss words, where are you????

Like so many people, my heart positively breaks for victims of bullies and bullying. No one should have their quality or enjoyment of life compromised by another person. Ironically, more times than not, the bully doesn’t have much quality or enjoyment in their own life – if they did, they’d find a more worthy title for themselves than “bully.” Be that as it may, they don’t have the right to impose their nastiness on others.

A very brilliant and timely book, The Skinny on Bullying: The Legend of Gretchen has been written by Mike Cassidy. I was lucky enough to receive a copy and it’s the very book that put me in kinship with Mr. Gollum (from the Lord of the Rings fame).

From the Back Cover:

The Skinny on Bullying is the story of two popular 5th graders at Stickville Elementary School named Beth and Billy. After a fun filled summer, the time has come to start 6th grade at Stickville Middle School. Once school starts, Beth and Billy soon realize they aren’t as popular as they used to be. They experience bullying. With the help of teachers, adults and friends they devise strategies to put a stop to bullying and grow up a bit in the process.

Like all of the books in “The Skinny On” line, The Skinny on Bullying: The Legend of Gretchen is exceptional.  The story flows in a very powerful and entertaining, yet easy to read format. People of all ages would enjoy this book but I’m particularly eager to see as many young people get their hands on The Skinny on Bullying as possible.

The Skinny on Bullying will teach you to:

• Identify forms of bullying
• Know when you are being bullied
• Protect yourself from cyberbullying
• Walk the halls without fear
• Enjoy recess and lunch
• Help a friend being bullied
• Talk to an adult about bullying
• Avoid conflicts with bullies

About the Author

Mike Cassidy is a writer and social media expert who grew up in the Connecticut suburbs outside New York City. Mike is a 2006 graduate of Villanova University with a degree in Communications.

Anyone who is interested in helping bring an end to bullying (online or off), should consider this as more than a book. The Skinny on Bullying: The Legend of Gretchen is what we’ve all been looking for and waiting for – a book that clearly shows young people what they need to do to avoid becoming victims or, for that matter, bullies.

I strongly urge all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, siblings, teachers, and principals to put a copy of The Skinny on Bullying: The Legend of Gretchen in the hands of every young person in your life.  The book is presented in a very delightful comic book-type format with lovable, funny characters that kids of any age would love reading about.  I can see a teenager enjoying this book as easily as a fifth grader.

The Skinny on Bullying lays out for the reader the four main types of bullying:

1. Physical – Intentionally hurting someone with force
2. Verbal – Using words to hurt others
3. Indirect – When you hurt someone behind their back, not to their face
4. Cyberbullying – Bullying that occurs online or electronically

Each of the types of bullying is dealt with beautifully – with examples as well as ways to avoid bullies and how to handle them if complete avoidance proves impossible.

We honestly have to get a handle on this situation right now and, as is the case with all situations, educating everyone is the first step.  How can we expect the problem to go away if we don’t meet it head on? Our young people must be educated and this book is the ideal opportunity to make this happen.

I’d especially love to see someone, in a position to do so, make this book required reading in all public and private schools. If teachers would read it with their students, then discuss it in class – I know we’d have what we’re all looking for.

A happy ending.

Please click HERE today to order a copy for the young people in your life.