It Takes A Fool: A Tough Lesson Learned On Bullying

by Sasha Dreams

Life couldn't be sweeter for ten year old Sasha... She's the darling of her fifth grade class and her best friend always has her back...just like a sister. But simmering beneath the beautiful life are the dark secrets her parents harbor, secrets that slowly wind their way around the heart of the family, choking the life from Sasha. Helpless, afraid and alone, she fights the only way she can but her desperate quest for survival could lead to her own destruction! It Takes a Fool explores the darkest depths of poverty, addiction and bullying, and how even the innocence of a child can be twisted into something monstrous. Sasha will do all she can to survive a nightmare she can't wake up from, but in protecting herself, she might just destroy everyone around her.

108 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2014

About the author

Sasha Dreams is a no one from nowhere pregnant with dreams. She dreams of hope, ambition, fulfillment and success. Sasha has learned from the mistakes of her childhood and transformed her weaknesses into strengths.

Sasha believes wholeheartedly that writing is healing. At times throughout her writing process it was painful, but now that the tears have dried and the past forgiven a horribly beautiful story has emerged. Follow Sasha on her journey as a writer, business woman, wife, daughter, sister, mother, and friend. Watch as her dreams come true.

Reviews

[India Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ummm, wow.

I feel I need to take a deep breath and ponder on such a book. I was just taken on a deeply disturbing ride. The bravery it took for this book to be written—with such... honesty, has me utterly bewildered.

This incredible story is spoken through the voice of a child who is abused... who eventually abuses—in cruel manners. Can you understand what I just said? This "child" becomes heartless, at times, right before your eyes. You WILL cry, you will curse, and you will beg for this not to be true...

This is not a book of romance, or a fictional story where you hope for a happy ending (after falling for some hot heroin). This is a story that will reach in your chest, seize your heart, throttle it, then dare you to not see the world differently.

I must go take deep inhales and pray for children all around this world.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I stated on Amazon, but I wanted to add it here as well. I just joined this site and hope that it will help expand my reading horizons.

Wow, I do not know where to start after reading this book. I just purchased this book a couple of hours ago and immediately realized it was much more than a typical evening read. My mind is overwhelmed with emotions and thoughts right now, along with memories of my own past.
When it comes to bullying, it is extremely easy to find materials written by those who’ve been bullied. However, this book is rare. It is written from the view of a girl, Sasha, who is the bully. Sasha is a beautiful young girl whose life is turned upside down with a dark and painful childhood. She endures actions that nobody should ever have to witness, tragedies that are so horrendous that they burn to bring up. In this bravely written book the author explains how Sasha became a prisoner to the dark side. She did horrible things to others, she felt no pain. Many people would immediately judge her and label her as the ‘bully’ but if only they knew the whole story maybe their thoughts would change.
Reading this book made me look back and reflect on my childhood and growing up. Each page forced me to look back at how I bullied others at times to make myself feel better. On the other side they made me pity all those who bullied me, wondering what they must have endured that was likely much worse. The author uses emotionally charged language and descriptions that will force you to think back on your life. I extend the utmost admiration and respect for the author as I am sure this book was a nightmare to write at many times.
The words in this book are extremely powerful. One prayer that was quoted is a prayer that I tell myself every day, “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” Simple, yet incredibly meaningful – I’m thankful the author included this in her book. I cannot wait to see what the next portion of this author’s story. This book is certainly a must read for anyone who wants to TRULY understand bullying and the whole picture of it. It Takes a Fool is not an easy read, or a fun read, but a MUST read.

[Lesley Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t help but understand this book as a therapist as well as a reader. It is well-written, in a direct, unemotional style, without self-pity or overt attempts at justification. Perhaps because of that it particularly touched me. This is a memoir, which means everything described is a fact, not a fictionalised account of bullying and the reasons behind it. It must have taken enormous courage for the writer to create this book, to put on the line what amounts to a confession of what she describes as ‘the darkness’ within her. As a therapist I wanted to take this book as a starting point and help her explore all the issues that are so poignantly portrayed in the narrative. But I have to assume that she must have received some form of healing therapy in order to get to the point of being able to write it. It isn’t an easy read emotionally, despite the excellent quality of the writing. The journey this child takes through family betrayal and neglect, loss, anguish and overwhelming, impossible expectations of responsibility is harrowing to witness. Her responses to her experiences and her environment are not laid out for us to judge, but to understand. She ends the account with the suggestion that there is more to come, and I hope this author continues to write and share her journey. Difficult though it might be for anyone to read, I feel it is an important book to help those affected by abuse and its aftermath to understand how it comes about. How that ‘darkness’ has ultimately been healed will be another story, but I suspect that in the writing and the sharing of her deepest pain there has been catharsis, and the opportunity to help others who have shared her suffering.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It Takes a Fool tells a powerful story about bullying. Sasha was once a star pupil and athlete, but her life unravels when her parents lose their jobs and later their house. It strikes her as unfair that other people seem to have everything so perfect while she clearly doesn’t, and her anger comes out in horrible bullying of her former friend, Sadie, who has a terminal illness.

Her father, an addict, is often absent. Money is in short supply. The family moves from one shabby place to another. One night, her father takes her with him to steal copper piping so they can get money for food.

The combination of real and imagined wrongs fuels a terrible anger in Sasha, and that anger comes out as aggression. That’s the most interesting part of this brutally honest memoir. At times Sasha recognizes the very moment when the anger takes over. Then she’s capable of inflicting great harm, even to those she loves.

This book explains the reasoning behind one person’s bullying behavior. Sasha’s rage is not rational, but it’s certainly understandable. I’m not sure that the book offers many answers, but the fact that it was written shows self-knowledge and a desire to change, which is a hopeful sign.

[Dennis Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with others who began this book late at night, I too devoured it from midnight to 2 a.m. I could not put it down. The transformation this young girl experiences almost defies explanation or belief. However, there her story is, laid bare by an author who dares to write with real honesty and insight. This is a remarkable work for a beginning author. There are the occasional errors but all in all the book is well formatted and written. The style is casual making for a quick but not easy read. The topic wrenched at my heartstrings like no other, as I thought of my children and the trials they faced at school and with friends.
Rarely will you find the topic of bullying examined so fully from this point of view. Sasha’s introspection will catch you off guard and have you thinking long after you’ve closed the last page. I’d recommend this book to readers ten to adult. My only regret is that the book seemed to end rather suddenly, prompting the reader to anticipate a sequel, which I will gladly read.
I believe Ms. Dreams is on her way to a life of fulfillment and reward if she continues this chosen path. This book reminded me of why I love to read.

[Tracy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A GoodReads win, this book made me tear up at the end of part one. The heartbreak and ill selected outlets young Sasha used to expel her anger were very real to what can be witnessed in any school or playground. It also made me angry from a parents point of view that while the school (& other parents) seen a huge swing in behaviour, no one cares enough to actually investigate & step in sooner.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very authentic and eye-opening book. This is one of the most authentic books I have read. It invoked a variety of emotions within me as I read through the life experiences of Sasha. It is very eye-opening and a valuable read for anyone who feels they need to understand bullying from the angle of the person who bullies. Well done Sasha.

[Icet208 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was recommended to me by a friend. I thought that I will give it a try, and I am very glad that i did it.Her struggle with life and failed dreams takes its toll in bouts of rage enacted on anyone who gets in her way.
Very nice read. I recommand it to everyone.