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Weird! #3
Tough!
Sam is concerned about keeping things orderly and "cool" at school. She thinks people need to have a tough skin in order to fit in and withstand others’ meanness and lack of cooperation. Sam teases her free-spirited classmate Luisa and enlists a friend, Jayla, to help. But when Sam is confronted by a concerned teacher about her bullying, and Jayla turns on Sam and befriends Luisa, Sam begins to show some heart and rethink her treatment of others.
The Weird! Series
These three books tell the story of an ongoing case of bullying from three third graders’ perspectives. Luisa describes being targeted by bullying in Weird! Jayla shares her experience as a bystander to bullying in Dare! And in Tough!, Sam speaks from the point of view of someone initiating bullying. Kids will easily relate to Luisa, Jayla, and Sam, as each girl has her own unique experience, eventually learning how to face her challenges with the help of friends, peers, and caring adults.
Part of the Bully Free Kids™ line
The Weird! Series
These three books tell the story of an ongoing case of bullying from three third graders’ perspectives. Luisa describes being targeted by bullying in Weird! Jayla shares her experience as a bystander to bullying in Dare! And in Tough!, Sam speaks from the point of view of someone initiating bullying. Kids will easily relate to Luisa, Jayla, and Sam, as each girl has her own unique experience, eventually learning how to face her challenges with the help of friends, peers, and caring adults.
Part of the Bully Free Kids™ line
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
143 people want to read
About the author
Erin Frankel
27 books17 followersErin Frankel is a children’s book author. She loves telling stories of empathy and wonder. Her picture books include A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen, which is an Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Title and a Texas Blue Bonnet Award Nominee, as well as Remembering Barkley, and the Weird! series. Forthcoming titles include Mary Oliver, Holding on to Wonder (2025) and Piece by Piece: How Stephen Sondheim Made Musical Puzzles Come Alive (2026). Erin lives with her family in Pittsburgh, where she writes, teaches, and hopes. She is represented by Lindsay Auld at Writers House. You can also connect with her on Instagram @erinfrankelwrites
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 23, 2022
This series is good for starting classroom discussions on bullying.
January 3, 2019
Didn't like this as much as the first one, but I think it definitely provides insight into what is going on underneath the words and actions of a bully. I read the first book in this series ("Weird") to several upper-grade classes last year when I collaborated with our school counselors during "Kindness Week" and I think students would benefit from hearing Luisa's story from this different perspective.
August 12, 2018
My lol girl needed this book.
May 31, 2019
You don't see many books about bullying from the bully's perspective, but I think this book does it well.
March 1, 2020
These are good books but really better for older kids...my guess is 8, 9, 10, 11.
April 21, 2020
Loved this book and the different perspectives of bullying all working together in the three book series. My school age daughter really connected with it and loves to read it.
March 7, 2022
Great book that takes the viewpoint of one who is bullying thinking she is just "tough", and going through her change in behavior.
Read
March 1, 2017This book is about a girl is who "tough" in her eyes, but a bully in others eyes. Throughout the book Sam, the main character, learns that being kind to someone doesn't mean you can't still be tough. Being tough is different than being mean and a bully to people. This book also shows the other side of the situation. Sometimes when children are bullied at home, like Sam was from her older brother, they take it out on others to help make themselves feel better. This book gave me a good perspective on each side of bullying.
February 22, 2017
This book tackles the tough issue of bullying, and is a part of a series of books about the bullier, the bullied, and the bystander. No one is vilified, and the author walks the line between making no excuses for the bully and showing how this young girl is thinking about her role in school. She demonstrates remorse and the story does have a happy ending without making anyone into the "bad guy."
I read this book with a few 3rd grade girls today, and they really were engaged with this story. I asked them afterwards how they related to the story, and they explained that they could relate to the girl getting picked on. I asked them if they understood the protagonist's side of the story, and if they had ever felt like they needed to be cool or tough. One girl explained that she thought that the main character was worried about the wrong things, and that's why she was picking on people. Another girl explained that because she showed she was sorry and tried to make things better, she wasn't really a bad person. I think that this book could be a great discussion starter for kids, and can help explain how bullying isn't always as simple as it seems.
I read this book with a few 3rd grade girls today, and they really were engaged with this story. I asked them afterwards how they related to the story, and they explained that they could relate to the girl getting picked on. I asked them if they understood the protagonist's side of the story, and if they had ever felt like they needed to be cool or tough. One girl explained that she thought that the main character was worried about the wrong things, and that's why she was picking on people. Another girl explained that because she showed she was sorry and tried to make things better, she wasn't really a bad person. I think that this book could be a great discussion starter for kids, and can help explain how bullying isn't always as simple as it seems.
September 3, 2014
The WEIRD! series relates a common bullying situation from three different perspectives: WEIRD! is from the viewpoint of the bully's target(Luisa); DARE! is from that of the bystander(Jayla); and TOUGH! is from the perspective of the bully, herself(Sam).
The bully situation, itself, is absolutely believable. Sam continually calls Jayla names and puts down how she dresses and the things she likes. When Sam switches her attention to Luisa, calling her "Weird!," and making snide comments about her polka-dot boots, bubbly personality and greeting her father enthusiastically in Spanish, Jayla is relieved not to be Sam's main target. This causes her to stand back and not say anything when Sam torments Luisa in that way she used to focus on Jayla. At first Luisa tries to ignore Sam's behavior. Eventually, though, she begins to feel worn down by the unkindness, doubt herself and give up the things she enjoys.
Predictably--and necessarily for teaching purposes-- Jayla finds the courage to openly support Luisa, Luisa finds the confidence to be true to who she is and Sam begins to consider the idea that she doesn't need to put others down in order to feel confident about herself.
The storyline is thin and not particularly engaging. It's reminiscent of the short, bland vignettes you find as examples of conversation in second language textbooks. The strength of the WEIRD! series--and it is considerable--is in the brilliant teaching activities which follow each story.
Each book finishes with the main characters listing important points she has realized during the story using the acronym of her own title: Luisa uses the letters from WEIRD; Jayla from DARE; and Sam from TOUGH. This is a fantastically effective way to help young people recall and discuss the most important points from the story.
Following this each character also has a special "club" which young readers are invited to "join": Luisa's Confidence Club, Jayla's Courage Club; and Sam's Kindness Club. Each club lists different strategies for courage and confidence as well as several activities which then reinforce them.
The series narrative will be best received by primary grades but the strategies and interactive activities are applicable and adaptable across the entire age range of elementary schools. The WEIRD! series is well worth your reading investment as a parent, teacher, or young person looking for ways to deal with a difficult situation.
The bully situation, itself, is absolutely believable. Sam continually calls Jayla names and puts down how she dresses and the things she likes. When Sam switches her attention to Luisa, calling her "Weird!," and making snide comments about her polka-dot boots, bubbly personality and greeting her father enthusiastically in Spanish, Jayla is relieved not to be Sam's main target. This causes her to stand back and not say anything when Sam torments Luisa in that way she used to focus on Jayla. At first Luisa tries to ignore Sam's behavior. Eventually, though, she begins to feel worn down by the unkindness, doubt herself and give up the things she enjoys.
Predictably--and necessarily for teaching purposes-- Jayla finds the courage to openly support Luisa, Luisa finds the confidence to be true to who she is and Sam begins to consider the idea that she doesn't need to put others down in order to feel confident about herself.
The storyline is thin and not particularly engaging. It's reminiscent of the short, bland vignettes you find as examples of conversation in second language textbooks. The strength of the WEIRD! series--and it is considerable--is in the brilliant teaching activities which follow each story.
Each book finishes with the main characters listing important points she has realized during the story using the acronym of her own title: Luisa uses the letters from WEIRD; Jayla from DARE; and Sam from TOUGH. This is a fantastically effective way to help young people recall and discuss the most important points from the story.
Following this each character also has a special "club" which young readers are invited to "join": Luisa's Confidence Club, Jayla's Courage Club; and Sam's Kindness Club. Each club lists different strategies for courage and confidence as well as several activities which then reinforce them.
The series narrative will be best received by primary grades but the strategies and interactive activities are applicable and adaptable across the entire age range of elementary schools. The WEIRD! series is well worth your reading investment as a parent, teacher, or young person looking for ways to deal with a difficult situation.
September 27, 2013
These books are a great resource for any school. There are many books about bullying available but what sets these apart from similar stories are the multiple viewpoints comprehensive and detailed section of activities and suggestions at the end of each story. My reviewers (aged 8 and 5) thought that this was great and wanted to try them all out.
The books work well individually but are perhaps best read as a set. The multiple viewpoints provide a valuable perspective on the different backgrounds and motivations of the characters. I felt that 'Dare' was by far the best, as it tackled bystander behaviour perceptively. The protagonist who feels relieved when the bully picks on someone else and then gets sucked into carrying out cruel 'dares' is completely believable and someone many children will be able to relate to. There are multiple aspects of this story to analyse with children and it would be a great discussion starter in any class. 'Weird' was the favourite of my five-year-old, which I think reflects the fact that is a bit simplistic in its portrayal of bullying. It's an engaging story but doesn't really say anything that hasn't been tackled as effectively in other books. I have mixed feelings about 'Tough'. I loved it because it's such an eye-opener for children to see things from the point of view of someone who is seen as irredeemably villainous in the previous books. On the other hand, it's a bit of a missed opportunity. I'd like the writers to have explored the complex power dynamics of bullying among girls, with cliques, exclusion and the allure of popular girls who can alternate between meanness and generosity.
However, despite these minor reservations, these books are highly recommended for educators and parents. The illustrations are beautiful, particularly the expressive characteristion and the judicious use colour.
The books work well individually but are perhaps best read as a set. The multiple viewpoints provide a valuable perspective on the different backgrounds and motivations of the characters. I felt that 'Dare' was by far the best, as it tackled bystander behaviour perceptively. The protagonist who feels relieved when the bully picks on someone else and then gets sucked into carrying out cruel 'dares' is completely believable and someone many children will be able to relate to. There are multiple aspects of this story to analyse with children and it would be a great discussion starter in any class. 'Weird' was the favourite of my five-year-old, which I think reflects the fact that is a bit simplistic in its portrayal of bullying. It's an engaging story but doesn't really say anything that hasn't been tackled as effectively in other books. I have mixed feelings about 'Tough'. I loved it because it's such an eye-opener for children to see things from the point of view of someone who is seen as irredeemably villainous in the previous books. On the other hand, it's a bit of a missed opportunity. I'd like the writers to have explored the complex power dynamics of bullying among girls, with cliques, exclusion and the allure of popular girls who can alternate between meanness and generosity.
However, despite these minor reservations, these books are highly recommended for educators and parents. The illustrations are beautiful, particularly the expressive characteristion and the judicious use colour.
September 1, 2012
*** I received Weird! for free through Goodreads First Reads ***
(They kindly sent this and the second book in the series as well.)
** The Giveaway was Listed By Elena (of Free Spirit) **
* I received my copy on Sat, Sept 01 2012 *
THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRST READS AND ELENA!
Third book in the Weird Trilogy for kids, this picture book is told from the point of view of a bully. It goes through why she feels like she has to bully others, how she is treated by others away from school, how other kids react to her bullying, how that makes her feel, and what she does about it. It also covers options kids have get help themselves when they feel like they need to bully to have some sort of control in their lives.
Although this is probably the weakest book in the trilogy, it creates a well rounded view of the storyline. I just don't think that all kids that bully do so because of some issue at home.
Bullying is a topic I feel very strongly about and as such, I look forward to sharing this series with my kids. I think this is a series all parents and teachers could use to approach the subject of bullying with their kids or students.
(They kindly sent this and the second book in the series as well.)
** The Giveaway was Listed By Elena (of Free Spirit) **
* I received my copy on Sat, Sept 01 2012 *
THANK YOU GOODREADS FIRST READS AND ELENA!
Third book in the Weird Trilogy for kids, this picture book is told from the point of view of a bully. It goes through why she feels like she has to bully others, how she is treated by others away from school, how other kids react to her bullying, how that makes her feel, and what she does about it. It also covers options kids have get help themselves when they feel like they need to bully to have some sort of control in their lives.
Although this is probably the weakest book in the trilogy, it creates a well rounded view of the storyline. I just don't think that all kids that bully do so because of some issue at home.
Bullying is a topic I feel very strongly about and as such, I look forward to sharing this series with my kids. I think this is a series all parents and teachers could use to approach the subject of bullying with their kids or students.
September 21, 2013
This story shows how bullying from the bully's perspective. We see in the illustrations that Sam is picked on at home by her brother, and seems to be acting the same way toward classmates. She particularly focuses on Luisa because "she has it easy. Always getting the right answer. Always with her friends. Always smiling." Jealousy plays a big part in her choice of victim. From what she says, it also makes her feel in control to be the one belittling others or forcing them to go along with her.
Works well together as a stand-alone, or along with the other two titles Dare and Weird. Recommended by Trudy Ludwig and Dr. Michele Borba, along with Kirkus, School Library Journal and other reviewers. Each book has a glossary of terms, a reminder of what each of the girls learned, an explanation of telling vs. tattling, and notes for adults using the books with children. There is also a downloadable Leader's Guide for the series at http://www.freespirit.com.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Works well together as a stand-alone, or along with the other two titles Dare and Weird. Recommended by Trudy Ludwig and Dr. Michele Borba, along with Kirkus, School Library Journal and other reviewers. Each book has a glossary of terms, a reminder of what each of the girls learned, an explanation of telling vs. tattling, and notes for adults using the books with children. There is also a downloadable Leader's Guide for the series at http://www.freespirit.com.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
March 26, 2014
My only complaint with this otherwise great series is that the bully's resolution reads as forced. We have been through a book from the bystander's POV, then one from the bullying victim's POV, and each time come to understanding about how they feel, why they are making the choices they are, how they determine to change, and how things feel for them after that. This book from the bully's POV starts out fantastic, as the bully explains that she is not trying to be mean, she just wants to keep things orderly and under control. She's a manager with bad technique. But the resolution the author comes up with for her is a skeptical acceptance that she should let the grown-ups tell her what to do, and it reads totally flat. Kids with a higher-than-usual need for order instinctually accumulate power through whatever means they can, and it would have been great if this book had ended with the bully, who seems pretty self-aware at the start, finding out that people write whole books about how to be an influence on one's environment and/or how to get zen when one can't.
November 11, 2013
Full review is available at my blog:
destinydawnlong.wordpress.com/2013/10...
Excerpt:
Frankel’s voice is a breath of fresh air. She is able to get inside the heads of each girl and narrates in voices that feel fresh, honest, and real. At the same time, she doesn’t sacrifice literary style–the language is thoughtful and has a natural, easy flow. I was also impressed that each of her main characters are cool and likable in their own way–there are no pathetic outcast whiners or giant ignorant oafs in these books, just three girls with vibrant personalities. And it was great to see that the girls were guided through their issues by competent adults. Too many books leave children to figure out problems on their own, but Frankel recognizes that bullying can be complicated, and sometimes kids need help solving big problems.
destinydawnlong.wordpress.com/2013/10...
Excerpt:
Frankel’s voice is a breath of fresh air. She is able to get inside the heads of each girl and narrates in voices that feel fresh, honest, and real. At the same time, she doesn’t sacrifice literary style–the language is thoughtful and has a natural, easy flow. I was also impressed that each of her main characters are cool and likable in their own way–there are no pathetic outcast whiners or giant ignorant oafs in these books, just three girls with vibrant personalities. And it was great to see that the girls were guided through their issues by competent adults. Too many books leave children to figure out problems on their own, but Frankel recognizes that bullying can be complicated, and sometimes kids need help solving big problems.
November 25, 2016
Would have liked the book to shoe more of the exclusionary behavior and bullying that happens within cliques. Still, this was valuable for showing one perspective of why a bully engages in this behavior. Even though adults interacted with Sam to redirect her behavior, it does not match experiences I have observed in which the bully laughs at the adult and goes out of her way to avoid being caught by the watchful adult who tries to hold the bully accountable. The resolution occurred much to quickly and easily...my middle school daughter didn't feel it matched her experiences either.
April 14, 2014
Frankel, E. Tough. MN: Free Spirit publishing (2012).
Illustrated by Paula Heaphy
This is a story that is part of the Weird! series, and Tough follows a girl named Sam who is a bully. The situation is viewed from her perspective and why she is bullying, and why she needs to feel tough. The reading level for this book is ages 8-12 and appeals mostly to girls. Students will find this book interesting because of the different perspective, and they will gain insight to a bully's mind.
Illustrated by Paula Heaphy
This is a story that is part of the Weird! series, and Tough follows a girl named Sam who is a bully. The situation is viewed from her perspective and why she is bullying, and why she needs to feel tough. The reading level for this book is ages 8-12 and appeals mostly to girls. Students will find this book interesting because of the different perspective, and they will gain insight to a bully's mind.
Read
February 7, 2014The three-part series (Weird!, Dare! and Tough!) paints a picture of school-age bullying from the perspectives of the bully, the bullied, and the bystander. Each child learns to face her unique challenges with the help of friends and caring adults. This insightful series helps parents and kids
identify bullying behavior and provides tools for breaking the cycle of cruelty.
identify bullying behavior and provides tools for breaking the cycle of cruelty.
September 27, 2015
Would love to add this one to my classroom library! Here is a bully who thinks she needs to play it tough (and explains why), but learns that it can be cool to be kind. A little forced at times, but I enjoyed the resources for teachers/adults in the back. Definitely some things I could try in my classroom.
October 9, 2016
This is one book of three books focused on 3 perspectives of bullying for elementary students. Tough focuses on the bully's perspective. It gives really good insightful details as well as suggestions for those students who are bullies. Good for students in second or third grade through fifth grade. Every media center in an elementary school should own this series.
September 2, 2012
The Tough!, Dare! and Weird! books should be in every classroom and home. I like the conversational way the books are written. I like even more the notes at the end of the book by each of the girls and the activities that parents and teachers can do with their kids.
August 5, 2013
Part of the "Weird Series" The bully strikes again. This time Daring another student to do her dirty work. By picking on the same girl from previous book, "Weird"
Very strong message all kids should receive so they are not the target of bullying.
Very strong message all kids should receive so they are not the target of bullying.
April 11, 2013
Great book (third in a series, the "Weird" series), from Free Spirit Press, publisher of Words are Not for Hurting and Hands are Not for Hitting. This series is about bullying. Well done.
October 6, 2013
ARC supplied by publisher via NetGalley
July 21, 2016
This is another good book. Great book!
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book cover is on my Pinterest board and my blog, Michelle Dragalin’s Journey.
I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This book cover is on my Pinterest board and my blog, Michelle Dragalin’s Journey.
August 7, 2014
This a book we will definitely be getting for the school. Shows good perspective while not going over the top.
August 30, 2015
The books in this series deal with bullying and tall the stories from each character's point of view.
January 31, 2016
Check out a lesson to go with the books here: http://mentortextswithpurpose.blogspo...
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December 12, 20172012. Realistic Fiction. The illustrations and tone of this book are really in trend with older elementary students today so I think this is a really good way to talk about bullying in an engaging and meaningful way. I think this story would make a really good read aloud.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews