Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Bullying and harassment

Book SynopsisFrom the makers of AWARD NOMINATED: Why, oh why, am I a crocodile?*** When mean Spider hears music for the first time, music that is being played by - of all unlikely creatures - a Fly, he experiences an emotion that he has never felt before... happiness! Fly narrowly avoids being gobbled up for breakfast and instead manages to encourage Spider to give singing a try.*** Follow this fascinating duo on their adventure into the world of rock music and find out how Spider becomes a hero with a clever use of his webs.*** This enchanting tale will have children mesmerised and grown-ups laughing out loud*** "A very CLEVER and WITTY POEM that ROLLS OFF THE TONGUE and is a DELIGHT TO READ to little ones. The story is IMAGINATIVE and FUNNY, with a LOVELY MORAL and a HILARIOUS FINALE! My 18mo loved the colourful pictures, with lots of details to look at, a really UNIQUE and REFRESHING set of illustrations. And being a CLASSIC ROCK FAN, how could I not adore 'PINK FLIED' and 'BEETLES' references - truly brilliant! This book will be one of our FIRM FAVOURITES."

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Book SynopsisA stunning debut about finding the strength to speak up against hate and fear, for fans of The Hate U Give and I Am Thunder."Fiercely brilliant from beginning to end." Beth Reekles, author of The Kissing BoothPeople like me are devils before we are angels. Hanan has always been good and quiet. She accepts her role as her school's perfect Muslim poster girl. She ignores the racist bullies. A closed mouth is gold - it helps you get home in one piece. Then her friend is murdered and every Muslim is to blame. The world is angry at us again. How can she stay silent while her family is ripped apart? It's time for Hanan to stop being the quiet, good girl. It's time for her to stand up and shout.Trade ReviewA tremendous YA debut from a powerful new talent. * The Guardian *Powerful, heartbreaking and unflinching in its honesty, You Think You Know Me features an unforgettable main character whose voice demands to be heard. Hanan's story lingers long after the final page. * Ravena Guron, author of This Book Kills *YOU THINK YOU KNOW ME is devastatingly powerful and utterly stunning. Fiercely brilliant from beginning to end. * Beth Reekles, author of The Kissing Booth *An unforgettable story which is both beautifully written and emotionally powerful. * J.P. Rose, author of The Haunting of Tyrese Walker *

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Book SynopsisHolly Bourne is a bestselling and critically acclaimed author. Inspired by her work with young people, and her own experiences of everyday sexism, Holly is a passionate mental health advocate and proud feminist.Trade ReviewA powerful and inspirational read, and part of a true gem of a series... I will be pushing this series into the hands of everyone, ever. * Snuggling on the Sofa *A strong series ender, driving home the overriding messages at the heart of this series about feminism, friendship and standing up for what you believe in... A thought-provoking, inspiring read that takes you on an emotional journey and makes you feel proud to be a girl. * Jess Hearts Books *A 'turn of the century series', it has sparked such passion, honesty and strength. At the end of this book I felt strong and I felt proud to be who I am... We have a voice and Holly Bourne's books are reason of that! Spinster Club forever! * Never Judge A Book By Its Cover *Bourne occupies neglected territory in the world of teenage fiction and makes a success of her undertaking. Bourne takes a deliberately risky attitude towards storytelling, as her characters do towards life. * Books for Keeps *Bourne's political and feminist sensibilities occasionally come across as over-egged, but her snack-scoffing, wisecracking teen characters feel real and vividly alive. Belly-bustingly funny, Bourne also demonstrates how constant, tiny pinpricks can bleed girls’ confidence dry. * The Guardian *

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Book SynopsisMaybe Batpig can come to the rescue?Based on Rob Harrell's own real life experience of eye cancer, and including amazing comic-strip artwork, this poignant and authentic novel is unforgettable, hilarious and uplifting.Trade ReviewTerrific . . . Harrell never downplays or sugarcoats the gravity of his hero's situation . . . The novel's irreverence is its strong suit * New York Times *WINK has all the freshness and pitch-perfect narrative voice of a Louis Sachar story, with its own unique warmth and wit -- Joanne Owen

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Book SynopsisThe Bloods are in control and they’re desperate to turn Britain into the world they want to see: right, white, Christian supremist. Anyone who they call abnormal is a target. Amidst the chaos of civil war the country is on the move as small militia groups fight each other and a sea of refugees escapes the cities and the pursuing Bloods. When her home is destroyed in a bombing raid, Marti must strike out on a mission of her own - to save her father and get his vital software into the right hands. But Marti is mixed race and trans and has her young brother in tow. Crossing into enemy territory could prove suicidal. Yet Marti's enemies haven't reckoned with her indomitable will to survive - and the gun she carries, which has three bullets . . .Trade Review"Funny, rude and violently enjoyable for 13+" -- Amanda Craig * New Statesman *"Burgess is back with a punchy novel about white supremacy and urban warfare... [it reflects] the trend of YA books addressing intersectional issues in ways the adult market struggles to do" * The Bookseller *"Marti’s voice is unique and her will to survive is like nothing the Bloods could have possibly imagined ... her story rips and races at breakneck speed" * LoveReading *"Utterly terrifying... devastatingly clever, completely mindblowing and will leave you with so much to think about" * NE Book Awards *"As punchy and bold as you'd imagine a Melvin Burgess novel to be" * The School Librarian *

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Book SynopsisRosalind hates her new secondary school. She's the weird girl who doesn't talk. The Mute-ant. And it's easy to pick on someone who can't fight back. So Rosalind starts a blog - Miss Nobody; a place to speak up, a place where she has a voice. But there's a problem... Is Miss Nobody becoming a bully herself?Trade ReviewA wonderful book about finding one's own voice. * Ann M. Martin, author of The Baby-Sitters Club *Will appeal to fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Cathy Cassidy. * Catherine Bruton, author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria *A beautifully crafted and very important novel. * Lucy Strange, author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood *So much heart and warmth, and funny! An absolute joy. * Sara Barnard, author of Beautiful Broken Things *Authentic and sensitive, this novel deals honestly with difficult emotions. * The Metro *

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Book SynopsisThis simple, engaging story is the perfect way to introduce young children to what bullying is, and help them become aware of how their behaviour can impact on other children.There are even suggestions for activities and ideas to talk through together to help children understand.When Leopard arrives at Jungle School, Giraffe doesn''t want to include him and tries to exclude him from joining in. So when Leopard has a birthday party he doesn''t invite Giraffe, even though he has invited all his friends. Slowly Giraffe begins to understand how Leopard must have felt when he started school. Can the two of them learn to become friends after all? The Behaviour Matters series of picture books provide a gentle means of discussing emotions, boosting self-esteem and reinforcing good behaviour. Supports the Personal, Social and Emotional Development Area of Learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and is also suitable for use with children in KS1 and can be used to discuss valuTrade ReviewExcellent for sharing and encouraging discussion... we can all learn from the approach taken in this series. * Parents in Touch *

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Book SynopsisBullying sucks, but true friendship is worth fighting for. From the author of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Judy Blume's Blubber is a sensitive exploration of bullying and self-esteem.Blubber is a thick layer of fat that lies under the skin and over the muscles of whales . . .When Linda innocently reads out her class project, everyone finds it funny. Linda can't help it if she's fat, but what starts as a joke leads to a sustained and cruel ritual of humiliation. Jill knows she should defend Linda, but at first she's too scared. When she eventually stands up to the bullies, she becomes their next victim – and what's worse, Linda is now on their side . . .

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Book SynopsisFinalist award in the 2021 Independent Author Network (IAN) Book of the Year awards. Red Ribbon award winner in the 2021 Wishing Shelf Awards. ‘Why me?’ Tommy would ask. After being relentlessly bullied at school for a number of years Tommy is now completely withdrawn from everyone and everything he once loved. That is, until, one night when his Big Little Voice appears to him and takes him on a journey to a reality he never could have imagined... Together, they decide to confront his fears, rediscover his self-worth and work as a team to achieve his dreams, vowing never to let anyone darken his shine again. They say that for every negative there is a positive, but what if the positive was within you all along? Join Tommy on his incredible journey, see the world through his eyes and experience what he feels. Meet Big Little Voice and uncover a side to bullying as you’ve never seen before and realise your inner superhero was within you all along.

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Book SynopsisLily is having a tricky day at school. She is missing her Mum… and Boris Boreham and Trixie Temperton are being mean. Everything is going wrong, and Lily can’t wait to get home for the weekend. But…the weekend goes too fast, and Lily has worries about the new school week. Joe has worries too, but luckily Mum and Dad have a clever way of helping the children feel confident and happier. Lily and Joe’s parents share a magical way to manage life’s tricky situations, using photos, drawing materials, imagination and LOVE! Together they create a special Bubble of Love, and think about what makes them unique, and all the people who love them. As they draw the ‘walls’ of their Bubbles, Lily and Joe feel safer and stronger... As they think about their special people, they feel absolutely loved. But things don’t always go smoothly, and Lily must practice new ways of thinking and being. Watch as the children grow ‘brave muscles’. Learn how Lily and Joe grow confidence and ability to deal with tricky people and situations. But above all, experience how the children carry the love of their family wherever they go! Not only is The Bubble of Love a heart-warming and relatable story, it’s also a tool for care givers and parents to share their own Bubble of Love and help children from ages 5-11 foster courage and resilience.

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Book SynopsisAn award-winning novel about courage and acceptance with a compelling mystery at its heart.I need to find my voice - before it's too late.Finlay's mother vanished two years ago. And ever since then his stutter has become almost unbearable. Bullied at school and ignored by his father, the only way to get out the words which are bouncing around in his head is by writing long letters to his ma which he knows she will never read, and by playing Scrabble online. But when Finlay is befriended by an online Scrabble player called Alex, everything changes. Could it be his mother secretly trying to contact him? Or is there something more sinister going on?A Seven-Letter Word is an evocative and heartfelt story from the multi-award-winning author of Smart, Kim Slater.'A moving and uplifting novel' – School LibrarianTrade ReviewThere is pace, wit, pathos and humour in a book that looks and feels engaging, inside and out. * Carousel Magazine *Kim Slater has struck gold again . . . a moving and uplifting novel * School Librarian *

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Book SynopsisHilarious series of wacky stories from a US boarding school where naughty pranks and mischief rate much more highly than education. From bestselling US author, R.L. Stine.Welcome to Rotten School, founded 100 years ago by I. B. Rotten as a boarding school where students would grow and succeed intellectually, morally and physically as they prepared for a productive and happy future. However, today our standards are a little less rigorous we are simply happy if the students are still alive at the end of each day!We think rivalry is healthy for our pupils, thus, Rotten School is divided into two warring groups: Bernie Bridges and his friends in Rotten House vs. Sherman Oaks and his friends in Nyce House.Joe Sweety is the worst kind of bully big, mean and always ready to use his fists. Chipmunk is the shiest, clumsiest kid at Rotten School. When Chipmunk is paired with Joe on the class trip, Chipmunk spills his apple juice, barfs and pulls down Joe''s trousers. Joe beats up poor Chipmunk and Bernie decides to haunt Joe to get his own back, with spooky messages on the computer, green protoplasm in his room and a body-wrap in an eerie cocoon. Will Bernie''s payback work? Will it scare Joe into being nice for once?

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Book SynopsisWhy didn't the other planets invite Earth to their holiday? Soon they'll find out the wonderful truth about Earth's 'fleas' and change their minds... When Earth turns up on the holiday she wasn't invited to and finds all the other planets in the solar system in the hot tub - even Pluto! - she discovers exactly why: it looks like she has FLEAS! Yuck. But when Earth asks everyone to take a closer look inside her atmosphere, they're amazed by what they see... Award-winning Alex Latimer's The Trouble with Earth is the perfect story to teach us to be kind and less quick to judge others.Trade Review"A space story with a difference for the very young… great fun" * LoveReading *

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Book SynopsisYou don't need super powers to be a hero... or to make enemies into friends. In Hero's gang, everyone has a special skill. Well, everybody but Pip. Pip isn't strong, he can't run fast or make himself invisible. He might not have any amazing talents, but when bully Solo invades their spot, Pip shows the gang that you just need guts to be a hero.Trade Review"A superhero story with a difference, funny, satisfying and revealing" -- Andrea Reece * LoveReading *"The humor is enjoyable, and Pip’s cleverness will inspire little ones... A fun underdog story for readers intrepid enough to join this merry band of kids" * Kirkus *

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Book SynopsisWanda desperately wants to be brave like her big brother Zane, but it's not easy. When the Coaster of Doom opens at the local theme park, Wanda is determined to show how brave she is. With all eyes on her, Wanda must find the confidence to be her own kind of brave. Mixing humour with themes of self-awareness and responsible decision making, author Janet Sumner Johnson shows the importance of thinking for yourself, being confident in your own beliefs and accepting differences in others. Johnson proves that everyone has their own kind of bravery, and that's totally okay.

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Book SynopsisFrom Val Emmich, the bestselling author of Dear Evan Hansen: The Novel, comes a deeply affecting story of two teens who find themselves thrown together overnight during a snowstorm and discover a surprising connectionperfect for fans of Nina LaCour, David Arnold, and Robin Benway.Tegan Everly is quiet. Known around school simply as the girl with the hand, she''s usually only her most outspoken self with her friend Neel, and right now they''re not exactly talking. When Tegan is ambushed by her mom with a truth she can''t face, she flees home in a snowstorm, finding refuge at a forgotten local attractionthe tiny Thomas Edison museum.She''s not alone for long. In walks Mac Durant. Striking, magnetic, a gifted athlete, Mac Durant is the classmate adored by all. Tegan can''t stand him. Even his name sounds fake. Except the Mac Durant she thinks she knows isn''t the one before her nowthis Mac is rattled and asking her for help.Over one unforgettable night spent consuming antique records and

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Book SynopsisKevin has a bad attitude. He has a real knack for rubbing people the wrong way. And he''s even figured out a secret way to do it with poems. But what happens when the tables are turned and he is the one getting picked on? Using elements of subversive found poetry, Rhyme Schemer is an accessible novel in verse that is both touching and hilarious, and will inspire voracious and reluctant readers alike. It is a celebration of the power of words and their ability to transform lives.

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Book SynopsisIndigo's Star is the second title in Hilary McKay's hilarious and award-winning Casson Family series.Indigo's going back to school after a long bout of illness. He's not looking forward to it, the bullies are lying in wait. But he's determined to stand on his own two feet – so when Saffy and Sarah break up a fight in the boys' bathroom, he's furious. Until he meets Tom.Tom is from New York, loves music, makes Indigo laugh and is unfazed by the bullies. But Tom has troubles of his own – can the boys help each other out?Follow the family's adventures in the rest of the beloved series: Saffy's Angel, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After, Forever Rose and Caddy's World.Trade ReviewWarm, touching and hilarious. * Guardian *As funny and compelling as her Whitbread-winning Saffy’s Angel . . . The unpatronising, open, thought-provoking ending leaves us eager for more. Definitely a book to curl up with and enjoy in one single sitting’ -- Lesley Agnew * The Bookseller *Another winning title from the inimitable Hilary McKay * Publishing News *A welcome new instalment in the lives of the unforgettable Casson family * Independent Magazine *Humorous and poignant * Booklist *There’s an infectious energy about the Casson family * She Magazine *

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Book SynopsisBestselling and award-winning author Dusti Bowling delivers a moving and empowering middle grade novel that will keep readers riveted by its mysteries and action-packed plot, even as it sensitively addresses issues of bullying and sexual assault.

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Book SynopsisThe perfect tool to teach children how to respond to bullies. I Can Stand Up to Bullies provides parents, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers the opportunity to speak with children about this important topic. You can be angry for many different reasons—maybe a friend canceled a playdate with you, maybe it’s lightning when you’re supposed to be swimming, or maybe your dog destroyed your favorite toy. Maybe you’re upset that you’ve argued with a good friend, or maybe you're troubled when other kids are teasing or picking on you. In I Can Stand Up to Bullies, children discuss the different things that make them upset and angry, specifically being the target of bullying from their peers. They clear up the confusion between arguing and bullying, determining that arguing means fighting caused by misunderstandings or conflicting opinions, while bullying is simply fighting to fight. A bully isn’t looking to solve a problem; they only wish to make others upset or angry—perhaps as upset or angry as they are feeling in that moment. The children in this book teach each other important lessons they’ve learned through their own experiences with bullies, driving home the fact that bullying is never okay—but that it is always okay to find an adult if another child won’t leave them alone and is repetitively mean to them, no matter how embarrassed they may feel doing so. In I Can Stand Up to Bullies, award-winning author and illustrator Dagmar Geisler draws attention to this sensitive subject and provides advice for not only the children who are being bullied, but also those who are witnessing their friends being picked on and the bullies themselves.

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Book SynopsisWhy didn't the other planets invite Earth to their holiday? Soon they'll find out the wonderful truth about Earth's 'fleas' and change their minds... When Earth turns up on the holiday she wasn't invited to and finds all the other planets in the solar system in the hot tub - even Pluto! - she discovers exactly why: it looks like she has FLEAS! Yuck. But when Earth asks everyone to take a closer look inside her atmosphere, they're amazed by what they see... Award-winning Alex Latimer's The Trouble with Earth is the perfect story to teach us to be kind and less quick to judge others.Trade Review"A space story with a difference for the very young… great fun" * LoveReading *

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Book SynopsisWhen you move somewhere new, you get to be someone new. I was ready. Sixth-grader Kammie Summers’s plan to be one of the popular girls at school hasn’t gone the way she hoped. She’s fallen into a well during a (fake) initiation into the Girls’ club. Now she’s trapped in the dark, counting the hours, hoping to be rescued. (The Girls have gone for help, haven’t they?) As the hours go by, Kammie’s real-life trouble mixes with memories of the best and worst moments of her life so far, including the awful reasons her family moved to this new town in the first place. And as she begins to feel hungry and thirsty and dizzy, Kammie discovers she does have visitors, including a French-speaking coyote and goats that just might be zombies. But they can’t get her out of the well. (Those Girls are coming back, aren’t they?) “Moving, suspenseful, and impossible to put down.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review “Darkly humorous . . . Honest and forthcoming.” —The New York Times Book Review “I dare you to pick up this riveting novel without reading straight through to its heart-stopping conclusion.” —Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal–winning author of The One and Only IvanTrade ReviewA Top 10 Spring 2016 Kids’ Indie Next Pick “Darkly humorous . . . honest and forthcoming . . . [Kammie’s] reflections in the heart of darkness (both literally and figuratively) are where the story hits its stride . . . It’s in the quiet moments when Kammie is along with her thoughts—which become surreal hallucinations—that the book comes alive . . . original and truthful.”—New York Times Book Review “A brilliantly revealed, sometimes even funny, exploration of courage, the will to live, and the importance of being true to oneself. The catastrophe draws readers in, and the universality of spunky Kammie’s life-affirming journey will engage a wide audience. Moving, suspenseful, and impossible to put down.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review “The inimitable voice of 11-year-old Kammie Summers is not one you will soon forget—in turns wise, sad, hopeful, frightened, hilarious. Rivers does a masterful job...”—Buffalo News “A hypnotic, utterly original novel . . . Guilt and forgiveness, truth and lies, family and self, friendship and social hierarchy--The Girl in the Well Is Me doesn’t so much tackle these subjects as absorb them into its natural fiber. Young readers will take in tough-and-tender Kammie as their own . . . and the suspense and anxiety of her situation will leave every reader breathless until the final page.”—Shelf Awareness “I dare you to pick up this riveting novel without reading straight through to its heart-stopping conclusion. Karen Rivers has penned a dazzling voice, at once hilarious, heartbreaking, and searingly honest. The Girl in the Well Is Me is a triumph.”—Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medal-winning author of The One and Only Ivan “A gripping story that doesn’t shy away from the dark places but explores them with heart, humor, and light.”—Kate Messner, author of All The Answers “Funny, surreal, occasionally heartbreaking…a compulsively readable story.” —School Library Journal “The danger will grab readers quickly, and their inevitable investment in Kammie will keep them breathlessly engaged through to the conclusion, perhaps even in one sitting if they can get away with it.”—The Bulletin for the Center of Children’s Books “This is a fascinatingly well told story that strongly reminded me of Libba Bray’s Going Bovine, but with a completely believable middle grade flavor.”—Teen Librarian Toolbox / School Library Journal “Superb . . . acrobatic . . . Karen Rivers is able to dive so seamlessly into the darker themes of growing up . . . Because of the tone and persistence of [protagonist] Kammie, the reader never loses faith that, although times may seem impossibly tough, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.”—Cleaver Magazine “It should strike a chord with its tween audience.”—Booklist “Interesting and well-written.” —San Francisco Book Review

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Book SynopsisTrade ReviewPraise for TBH, This Is So Awkward: “Get ready to fall in love with these girls who use their humor and wit (and lots and lots of emojis) to right wrongs and build bridges.” — ALA Booklist “Greenwald successfully blends emojis and text to bring the high drama and emotional changes of middle school to life. This first in a new series for preteens and young teens who value friendship and doing the right thing is pretty endearing.” — Kirkus Reviews “In this fine successor to Lauren Myracle’s TTYLand its sequels, Greenwald (11 Before 12) realistically captures the language of texting tweens, including exuberant use of emoji, and how mistakes can be made and tone misunderstood amid rapid-fire digital conversations.” — Publishers Weekly “Enticing and readable.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “Srsly, IDK how Lisa does it. These characters are so real! XOXOXO!! <3” — Lauren Myracle, New York Times bestselling author

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Book SynopsisThe reviews are in! This Is Where It Ends, the #1 New York Times bestseller and one of the Best Books of the Decade (Buzzfeed, Paste Magazine, BookRiot), could break you. I am speechless. The saddest book I have ever read. Literally tore my heart out. Go inside a heartbreaking fictional school shooting, minute-by-terrifying-minute. Everyone has a reason to fear the boy with the gun...10:00 a.m.: The principal of Opportunity, Alabama''s high school finishes her speech, welcoming the entire student body to a new semester and encouraging them to excel and achieve.10:02 a.m.: The students get up to leave the auditorium for their next class.10:03 a.m.: The auditorium doors won''t open.10:05 a.m.: Someone starts shooting.Over the course of 54 minutes, four students must confront their greatest hopes, and darkest fears, as they come face-to-face with the boy with the gun. In a world where violence in schools is at an all-time high and school shootings are a horrifyiTrade Review"[A] compelling story of terror, betrayal, and heroism... This brutal, emotionally charged novel will grip readers and leave them brokenhearted." - Kirkus Reviews"Love, loyalty, bravery, and loss meld into a chaotic, heart-wrenching mélange of issues that unite some and divide others. A highly diverse cast of characters, paired with vivid imagery and close attention to detail, set the stage for an engrossing, unrelenting tale." - Publishers Weekly"Nijkamp's emotional, powerful debut fictionalizes an all-too-frequent occurrence in today's world. Her strong storytelling pulls readers into a school shooting, leaving them amongst the gunman's victims in Opportunity High's auditorium." - RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars"With narration firmly rooted in the moment and smooth transitions in and out of flashbacks, each first-person account reveals an intricate web of betrayal and pain that connects the four to Tyler and the horror he has unleashed." - The Horn Book Magazine"Harrowing first-person narrations reveal the way characters try to understand what is happening, where they are in relation to the emergency, and what they can do to save those they love... readable, gripping, and well balanced." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"The core message and potential to open thoughtful discussion make this a solid choice for teen readers." - VOYA Magazine"Marieke Nijkamp's brutal, powerful fictional account of a school shooting is important in its timeliness." - Bustle.com"A compelling, brutal story of an unfortunately all-too familiar situation: a school shooting. Nijkamp portrays the events thoughtfully, recounting fifty-four intense minutes of bravery, love, and loss." - BookRiot"A gritty, emotional, and suspenseful read and although fictionalized, it reflects on a problematic and harrowing issue across the nation." - Buzzfeed"You'll finish this book in a single evening, guaranteed." - Paste Magazine"Intense and compelling, this debut novel balances the senseless violence of a school shooting with uncommon acts of courage and compassion by a diverse cast of characters." - Common Sense Media"With an ending that will leave readers rocked with fear, grief, chills and tears, this outstanding debut will hit close to home and is best suited for older teens." - BookPage

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Book SynopsisPower to the fishes! From the acclaimed creator of Brick by Brick comes a novelty board book to help toddlers stand up against bullies, with a team of little fish that together stop a bigger fish from gobbling up their friend.Board book master Giuliano Ferri has done it again, this time creating an impactful story of colorful, hungry fish who help themselves to their smaller brethren -- until a band of many small fish appears to fight off the very biggest predator. Each page features a die-cut hole of graduated size, so that every page turn adds to the lovely, multi-tiered central image. What at first seems like a simple fish-eat-fish tale has a happy surprise ending that celebrates standing strong against bullies, with a prompt for building community and collective action.

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Book SynopsisAward-winning author Nikki Grimes’s beloved novel in verse Garvey’s Choice is now a graphic novel, imaginatively and dramatically illustrated by Little Shaq artist Theodore Taylor III. Garvey’s father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading—anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey’s life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself and a way to finally reach his distant father—by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.Garvey’s Choice was a School Library Journal Best Book, a Kirkus Reviews Best Book, a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Honor Book, and a Paterson Prize for Books for Young People Honor Book. With Theodore Taylor III’s full-color illustrations, this graphic novel edition is enthralling and inspiring.Trade ReviewSchool Library Journal Best Book of the Year★ "Some of Grimes’s original tanka poems have been adjusted, but the novel in verse adapts beautifully to the graphic novel format, and Taylor’s art emphasizes the imaginative, ­poignant, painful, and joyful aspects in turn. Starry night sky illustrations, with characters outlined in white, are striking. Taylor often shows Garvey regarding himself in a mirror, and readers can see how Garvey’s feelings about his appearance change throughout. This format will attract new readers to a poetic, powerful story of growth. Highly recommended." —School Library Journal, starred review★ "The verses are given a new visual life with excellent page designs and clever illustrations...An unusually effective use of the graphic novel format to bring poetry alive. —The Horn Book, starred review"Grimes’ acclaimed novel in verse sees new life in comics format. Grimes’ tanka poems...pair nicely with Taylor’s straightforward illustrations, bringing to life Garvey’s story of newfound self-possession. The energetic illustrations playfully depict his rocky journey toward a truer version of himself, providing levity at times but never shortchanging the most poignant moments...These charming, reflective poems are an ideal match for Taylor’s endearing first graphic novel endeavor.An adaptation that expands the world of a captivating, much-loved character." —Kirkus Reviews "Grimes wrote the original version of Garvey’s Choice in a type of Japanese non-rhyming verse called tanka. Although she slightly modified the text for this graphic novel, the effect still comes through: The story is broken into bite-size pieces, each page or spread depicting a single moment. Taylor’s art has a minimum of detail but plenty of emotional impact." —School Library Journal"Grimes’ award-winning tanka poem narrative about a boy struggling to find a place for himself in his family and the world is adapted in this captivating, visually impressive graphic, which looks at Garvey from a slightly different perspective." —Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

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Book SynopsisKirkus ReviewsBest Book of the Year School Library JournalBest Book of the Year This emotionally resonant novel in verse by award-winning author Nikki Grimes celebrates choosing to be true to yourself. Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading-anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey's life changes. The chorus finds a new soloist in Garvey, and through chorus, Garvey finds a way to accept himself, and a way to finally reach his distant father-by speaking the language of music instead of the language of sports.Trade Reviewirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year School Library Journal Best Book of the Year "Grimes' acclaimed novel in verse sees new life in comics format. Grimes' tanka poems...pair nicely with Taylor's straightforward illustrations, bringing to life Garvey's story of newfound self-possession. The energetic illustrations playfully depict his rocky journey toward a truer version of himself, providing levity at times but never shortchanging the most poignant moments...These charming, reflective poems are an ideal match for Taylor's endearing first graphic novel endeavor. An adaptation that expands the world of a captivating, much-loved character." -Kirkus Reviews "Grimes wrote the original version of Garvey's Choice in a type of Japanese non-rhyming verse called tanka. Although she slightly modified the text for this graphic novel, the effect still comes through: The story is broken into bite-size pieces, each page or spread depicting a single moment. Taylor's art has a minimum of detail but plenty of emotional impact." -School Library Journal "Grimes' award-winning tanka poem narrative about a boy struggling to find a place for himself in his family and the world is adapted in this captivating, visually impressive graphic, which looks at Garvey from a slightly different perspective." -Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 'Grimes returns to the novel-in-verse format, creating voice, characters, and plot in a series of pithy tanka poems, a traditional Japanese form similar to haiku, but using five lines.... (w)ritten from Garvey's point of view, the succinct verses convey the narrative as well as his emotions with brevity, clarity, and finesse.' -Booklist, starred review for Garvey's Choice "(A) sensitively written middle grade novel in verse... (readers) will fall hard for Garvey, a tender, sincere boy who dislikes athletics. Grimes writes about adolescent friendships in a way that feels deeply human. A short, sweet, satisfying novel in verse that educators and readers alike will love." -School Library Journal, starred review for Garvey's Choice "Grimes' newest follows a young black boy searching for his own unique voice, lost among his father's wishes and society's mischaracterizations. This compassionate, courageous, and hopeful novel explores the constraints placed on black male identity and the corresponding pains and struggles that follow when a young black boy must confront these realities both at home and in school.... This graceful novel risks stretching beyond easy, reductive constructions of black male coming-of-age stories and delivers a sincere, authentic story of resilience and finding one's voice." -Kirkus Reviews, starred review for Garvey's Choice "Grimes tells a big-hearted story of Garvey...(e)mploying the Japanese poetic form of tanka-five-line poems (or, here, stanzas) with haiku-like syllable counts-Grimes reveals Garvey's thoughts, feelings, and observations, the spare poetry a good vehicle for a young man's attempts to articulate the puzzle that is his life." -The Horn Book for Garvey's Choice

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