One in five kids report being bullied during the school year, but the true impact of bullying is even bigger. It affects bystanders, those who bully others, and the friends and families of those who are bullied.
Books can help kids understand and respond to bullying. These positive stories demonstrate how children can react if they’re bullied or witness bullying in any of its forms, and how to get support from a grown-up.
For even more titles, see our National Bullying Awareness Month shelf on cloudLibrary.
The Pout-Pout Fish and the Bully-Bully Shark by Deborah Diesen
Best for ages 3-5
One of the popular Pout-Pout Fish picture books! In this story, Pout-Pout Fish teaches a bully shark about kindness and being a good friend to others.
How to Be a Lion by Ed Vere
Best for ages 3-6
When Leonard the lion and his friend Marianne, a duck, are bullied by a pack of lions, they figure out a creative way to stand up for themselves.
Super Manny Stands Up! by Kelly DiPucchio
Best for ages 4-8
Manny the raccoon loves to use his imagination to fight evil after school. When he encounters a real-life bully at school, he must have the courage to put on his invisible superhero cape and save the day.
Speak Up, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell
Best for ages 5-7
The beloved Molly Lou Melon tackles the topic of speaking up for yourself. Molly Lou Melon’s mother taught her how to use her big voice for good – even when it’s hard. In this heartwarming story, she uses her voice to stand up for herself and her friends against a school bully, and gives the bully the chance to become her friend.
Princess Posey and the First Grade Boys by Stephanie Greene
Best for ages 5-8
Posey just doesn’t get along with boys. They make noise, they can’t sit still, and they’re annoying. But when Posey teases a boy in class for being a “weirdo,” her teacher tells her she’s being a bully. With some help from the Pink Princess, Posey learns that her classmates have feelings of their own.
Stella Endicott and the Anything-Is-Possible Poem by Kate DiCamillo
Best for ages 6-9
After she writes a metaphorical poem about the pig next door for a school assignment, one of her classmates gets into an argument with her and insists that pigs do not live in houses. When the disagreement becomes a shouting match, they’re both sent to the principal’s office. The two of them must form an unexpected partnership in order to turn their day around.
Brown by Håkon Øvreås
Best for ages 6-10
The first book in the My Alter Ego is a Superhero series from Norway. With help from his recently-deceased grandfather and his new friends, Rusty stands up to the neighborhood bullies who wrecked his fort.
Public School Superhero by James Patterson
Best for ages 8-10
In Kenny’s mind, he’s actually a superhero named Stainlezz Steel. But in real life, he’s targeted by bullies and called a “Grandma’s Boy.” Kenny must choose between bringing a little Steel into the real world or making a bad decision in response to his bullies.
Restart by Gordon Korman
Best for ages 10-12
Middle-schooler Chase wakes up with a bump on his head and no memory of himself before his fall. Some kids treat him like a hero, and others are afraid or angry with him. Will he take the second chance he’s been given to treat his schoolmates better?
Starfish by Lisa Fipps
Best for ages 10-13
In this novel-in-verse, 12-year-old Ellie is tired of being bullied about her weight and trying to live by the “Fat Girl Rules.” With help from her dad, her therapist, and a new neighbor, she gains the confidence to live unapologetically.
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Best for ages 10-14
A modern classic! The quirky new girl in school, Stargirl, captivates everyone when she arrives. But once the adoration sours, the book’s narrator, Leo, pressures her to change so they can continue their relationship without being taunted by others. When it comes time for her to choose, Stargirl has to decide what’s right for her – not Leo or anyone else at school.
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
Best for ages 11-14
In the midst of World War II, 12-year-old Annabelle lives a quiet, small-town life – until a new student named Betty comes to class. Betty is cruel and manipulative toward others, and soon a World War I veteran becomes a target. As tensions mount, Annabelle must find the courage to stand up to Betty.
