One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones; The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones

Much of this book is predictable - Mom dies, daughter gets sent to live with Dad, whom she doesn't remember. Daughter is angry at first and gradually finds her way. The big lure for kids is all of the name-dropping. Dad, a famous movie star, lives next to famous movie star. Dad hosts party for more famous movie stars. Kids at school are all related to famous movie stars. You get the idea. It isn't a bad book - just somewhat predictable.


The Revealers by Doug Wilhelm

The main premise of this book is that three kids who have been victims of bullying band together to try to get it to stop. They do so by using the in-house school computer network to tell their stories to all of the other kids in the school, and soon other kids are telling their stories, too. Talking about it seems to help and gradually the school seems to be getting less threatening, but the principal and one of the bullies tries to put a stop to it.

I have been in middle schools quite a bit and have been on the other side of the story - the teachers' side. While the teachers are portrayed as relatively uninvolved with the bullying, it is much more difficult than the book seems to portray it. I see too clearly exactly what frustrates the kids about the teachers - telling students that they can't do anything about the bullying unless they actually see examples of it. But, positive action to combat the bullying is much more difficult. Teachers cannot follow each middle schooler home. Teachers cannot see every note that is passed or hear every snide comment. Bullies are exceedingly clever at attacking when their behaviors will be least likely to be detected. I am not trying to excuse the principal in this story, who seems to be in denial and is too heavily influenced by the people in power in the community (the bully girl's lawyer father). But most teachers seem to be more like the English teacher - well meaning, but essentially clueless; or the computer teacher - hopeful and willing to help, but not sure whether it will, in fact, be more helpful or worse.

Bullying is a complex problem - more complex than this book seems to see it as. I think this book offers an interesting idea - that bringing all of the incidents of bullying to light will make people more understanding of the problems. I wish that that were all that was needed. But I am a bit pessimistic about it. Like a lot of other current day problems, though: I see the problem, but I just don't see a solution. Even the youngest school children start bullying - usually with name-calling and simple shoving other kids around. Teachers try to stop it; parents try to stop it. But somehow, our culture seems to glorify domination - clever putdowns are the stock in trade of many television programs. Physical aggression, bordering on harrassment, seems to be part and parcel of male behavior - and some would argue, is necessary for healthy growth into manhood. Verbal harrassment and shunning seem to be the preferred weapons of girls. Where does something essentially "harmless" and normal shade into something that is more sinister? When adults step in, what is the best way to do so?

I have participated in and have taught several character education programs and quite a few anti-bullying lessons, but they seem to me to be little more than mouthing platitudes. I have yet to see something that I think seems authentic and that works. I will give credit to the idea behind this book, though. It is worth trying - maybe it is one key element in turning the corner of a bad situation.