Banishing Bullying Behavior: Transforming the Culture of Peer Abuse
Bullying has unfortunately become a major issue in school communities. Fried and Sosland have extensive experience to support their writing. Fried created a bully prevention program, BullySafeUSA, which is utilized in 36 states, in addition to authoring four books on the topic. Sosland brings her classroom expertise to the topic. The book defines bullying behavior; gives profiles of the bullies, targets, and witnesses; and discusses types of bullying (e.g., physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, and cyber bullying). The authors also give examples across grade levels. Most helpful is the authors' description of roles of each change agent, including administrators, teachers (they address specific content area teachers separately), parents, counselors, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, and others. This holistic approach assists communities in changing the culture of the school and challenges readers to end this cycle of pain.Summing Up:Recommended. Graduate, research, and professional collections.(CHOICE)As a middle school philosophy college instructor, I find thatBanishing Bullying Behavioris a must-read for ALL future teachers. From the explanation of bullying, to the lessons on how we in the classroom can help and intercede, this book gives the responses any parent, child, or teacher would want. Bullying behavior is sadly a challenging problem in today’s schools, and with Fried’s and Sosland’s frank and encouraging material, the end could be in sight. (Philip H. Hackett, adjunct professor, Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio)We must all accept our role as change agents if we are to banish bullying behavior in our schools and across society. In their book, SuEllen Fried and Blanche Sosland challenge our thinking while sharing new learning and strategies for addressing the bullying disorder. The book is essential reading for all who work with students. After I finished the last chapter, I felt inspired and empowered to further support and intervene with those who use bullying behaviors, their targets, and the witnesses who can make a difference. (Robert “B.R.” Rhoads, principal, Tillman Elementary School, Kirkwood, Missouri)A must for educators who believe in the potential of kids, this book sends a powerful message regarding the importance of creating a culture of respect for self and all others. Unique in it's specific suggestions, Fried and Sosland's book will inspire school staff and community members to join together in an effort to end the cycle of pain and revenge and to create a "BullySafe" environment. (Mary Fischer, school counselor, Ida S. Baker High School, Lee County, Florida)Fried and Sosland have produced a valuable guide for educators and others working to rid our schools of bullying. Based on their extensive experience, the authors describe those practices that will create positive change and suggest practical strategies to make school a safe and comfortable place for learning. (Marjorie P. Kaplan, superintendent, Shawnee Mission School District, 1992-2008)An invaluable book for parents who want to be advocates and protectors of their children. Straightforward and well-researched,Banishing Bullying Behaviorbrings to light the real issues kids face today and provides specific advice to parents. This should be required reading for anyone who is connected to kids. Kudos to Fried and Sosland for being spot-o (Joanne Stern, author ofParenting Is a Contact Sport)SuEllen Fried and her colleague Blanche Sosland have brought heart and head to bear in this book. They offer a thoughtful analysis, communicate compassion for targets and perpetrators alike, and explore programmatic efforts to make schools more positive places for children and youth. (James Garbarino, director, Center for the Human Rights of Children, Loyola University Chicago (from the foreword))