When you run from bullies, you never know where you might wind up. In the novel Bitopia, the victim of bullying runs away and ends up in a wonderland of fantastical foliage and mysterious creatures. This entertaining, yet engaging, tale uses this fantasy land to give kids the confidence to face their fears and overcome bullying problems.
"I
lived the bullying nightmare and thought I had no solution," says
author Ari Magnusson, who spent his first year of high school getting
picked on by a huge bully until the day he figured out the secret to
stopping him. "And the solution turned out to be surprisingly simple. I
want to reach as many students as possible with this message so that
they too can put an end to being bullied, not just what they might be
currently experiencing but for the rest of their lives as well."
The book comes with an accompanying discussion guide, Understanding Bullying and Ways to Make It STOP!, which could be used for parents to discuss the book with their kids, or in a classroom setting. It's appropriate for victims of bullying, those who have witnessed bullying, and those who never have but should be empowered to know what to do should bullying occur to them or to friends.
The book is well-written. It's engaging and will capture readers. It would even be appropriate for young kids, read to by an adult. If you're a parent or a teacher, this is one worth considering for bully prevention education.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of Bitopia and the discussion guide to facilitate this review.
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