Rosh ~catching up slowly~’s review of It's Up To You: An Anti-Bullying Message for Children > Likes and Comments

The personal touch is actually a very good idea. To make kids see it from the other person’s perspective. Because that’s something bullies usually don’t get. Bullies deal with their own personal frustrations and insecurities by lashing out and taking it out on someone else. But they don’t even think about their victims. Even years later, they don’t even realize that they did something wrong.

I also really like the atypical form of bullying being showcased here. Because that happens a lot more than the actual in your face bullying than punching for example. And it can still be as toxic and hurtful. Excellent review, Rosh.

Great review, Rosh! I agree with the author that this type of bullying happens often, even though it's not always obvious. This seems like something that could be very useful at my school, so I'll definitely check it out. Thank you for the recommendation! 😊💗

Thanks Rosh. Appreciate the review. There are two questions the character asks before he says, "The answer is me". Hopefully that was in your copy :)

Sounds like a powerful and important book. Very thought provoking review, Rosh.

I would have loved this as a kid (the notebook style) or for my boys (35 and 40 now) when they were younger. What a great message. Terrific review, Rosh. 🤗💕

Sounds like a positive book, but it seems to me that the definition of bullying that we as older adults have is not the same as "the kids today" have. (My definition is the same as yours in the review)

Young people (at least those online in English) seem to define bullying as "anything I don't like or makes me feel uncomfortable". For example: they don't like frogs and the teacher reads a story aloud in class about frogs. They'll run to their parents or councillor and say "The teacher was bullying me! She was trying to make me feel bad and hurt me in front of everybody!"

Problematic.

I love the concept and execution (POV aside) here. Subtle and hidden bullying is, in a way, worse. Not only does it not get noticed, but it is also easy to gaslight kids into thinking they are wrong. Wonderful review, Rosh.

Bullying is a terrible problem that almost all schools face. It'd be nice for everyone to know about the serious issues that bullying can cause. This seems like a great book for middle schoolers to learn about. Personally, feel this would be really beneficial. (Having seen a lot of bullying around me, I wish we were taught stuff like that)

Great review, btw.

Thibault wrote: "The personal touch is actually a very good idea. To make kids see it from the other person’s perspective. Because that’s something bullies usually don’t get. Bullies deal with their own personal fr..."

Well said, Thibault. The lack of realisation and awareness is the biggest issue with bullies. After all, one can't correct a behaviour if one doesn't even realise that the behaviour is fault to begin with.
I liked the book better for not tackling typical bullying. There are already plenty of books on that topic. This hidden form of bullying needs more attention.
Thank you!

Snjez wrote: "Great review, Rosh! I agree with the author that this type of bullying happens often, even though it's not always obvious. This seems like something that could be very useful at my school, so I'll ..."

Thanks so much, Snjez! 💕 I think you will find the Stand-up exercise an effective one. I can see it giving great results when students are encouraged to speak about their experiences without fear of judgement.

Christopher wrote: "Thanks Rosh. Appreciate the review. There are two questions the character asks before he says, "The answer is me". Hopefully that was in your copy :)"

My pleasure, Christopher.
I read through my copy twice before writing this review to confirm that I hadn't missed any reference, and I checked it again just now after reading your comment. There are two questions, but neither is immediately before the above answer, and neither seems related to the above answer, at least to me. A part of this logical gap is because both questions are about what "he" should do and the answer is more about what "I" can do. I hope my copy is indeed the final version. If not, do let me know. :)

Ian wrote: "Sounds like a powerful and important book. Very thought provoking review, Rosh."

Thanks, Ian. Very much so. A valuable resource for today's classrooms where such behaviour is all the more common.

Shelley's Book Nook wrote: "I would have loved this as a kid (the notebook style) or for my boys (35 and 40 now) when they were younger. What a great message. Terrific review, Rosh. 🤗💕"

Thanks much, Shelley! 💕 I so agree! It offers such an important message in such an easy style.

Berengaria wrote: "Sounds like a positive book, but it seems to me that the definition of bullying that we as older adults have is not the same as "the kids today" have. (My definition is the same as yours in the rev..."

Such an interesting point, B! And quite right too. I never noticed that about 'bullying', but I have seen a similar pattern in the usage of 'depression' and 'empath' and other such "trending" words. Everything is over-dramatised with teens, so these days, no one feels sad, they are all depressed. The sad part is that some of them are genuinely depressed, but because the word is so misused, adults tend to ignore the signs as being an exaggeration.

Srivalli wrote: "I love the concept and execution (POV aside) here. Subtle and hidden bullying is, in a way, worse. Not only does it not get noticed, but it is also easy to gaslight kids into thinking they are wron..."

Very true, Sri. Noticing such behaviour is much tougher, so if the problem-creator cannot be directly tackled, at least the target of the attack can be given support in a better way. The book depicts this wonderfully.
Thanks.

Tazmeen wrote: "Bullying is a terrible problem that almost all schools face. It'd be nice for everyone to know about the serious issues that bullying can cause. This seems like a great book for middle schoolers to..."

Completely agree, Tazmeen. Unfortunately, bullies exist in all phases of life, so if we teach such methods i nschool itself, it will hopefully be helpful in adulthood also. Things are only getting worse in the smartphone era.
Thank you.

The way the book highlights indirect bullying is so crucial. It’s the kind of mistreatment that often flies under the radar but can be just as damaging, if not more so, than overt bullying. I appreciate how the book tackles this subtle yet pervasive issue, showing that even silent pain can cut deeply. The emphasis on how small, positive actions can combat this form of bullying is such a hopeful message. We don’t always need grand gestures to make a difference; sometimes, just being there for someone can mean the world. This book seems like it would be an invaluable tool for teaching kids not just about bullying, but about empathy and kindness in everyday interactions. Wonderful choice of book and review, Rosh!

Dusk wrote: "The way the book highlights indirect bullying is so crucial. It’s the kind of mistreatment that often flies under the radar but can be just as damaging, if not more so, than overt bullying. I appre..."

So well put, Dusk! Completely agree, this kind of bullying is worse as it can go on for far longer without being detected and is more damaging to the psyche. I too appreciate how the author focussed on the little things that make a big difference to such children.
Thank you so much!

What a great book. Kids don't think about behind-the-back gossip, rumour-mongering, or ignoring. Excellent review for an excellent book!

Barbara wrote: "What a great book. Kids don't think about behind-the-back gossip, rumour-mongering, or ignoring. Excellent review for an excellent book!"

Thanks, Barbara! It is definitely an unusual picture book. I loved the concept.

Rosh wrote: "Barbara wrote: "What a great book. Kids don't think about behind-the-back gossip, rumour-mongering, or ignoring. Excellent review for an excellent book!"

Thanks, Barbara! It is definitely an unusu..."I do as well!