Books with themes related to bullying available for check out from Violence Prevention
by grade level
Kindergarten and Grade 1
A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon. Camilla encounters some problems both in and out
of school as a new school year begins.
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. She was the perfect baby with a perfect name. Then
Chrysanthemum started school.
Clara Caterpillar by Pamela Duncan Edwards. A carefree caterpillar named Clara and her
competition with a catty, conceited, caterpillar named Catisha is the basis for this story.
Cleversticks by Bernard Ashley. Just when it seems like he is the only person in his class who
doesn’t have a talent, Ling Sung realizes he has a skill none of his other classmates have
mastered.
Don’t Laugh at Me, by Steve Seskin. We are all different. This book will give you the words you
need to take charge and stop the cycle of teasing and bullying.
Hooway For Wodney Wat by Helen Lester. Rodney Rat can’t pronounce his R’s and the other
rodents tease him. Then Camilla Capybara joins Rodney’s class. She announces that she is
bigger, meaner, and smarter than all of the other rodents, and everyone is afraid. Rodney
saves his class from the bully.
Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola. Oliver doesn’t let teasing at school stop him from
what he likes to do.
One by Kathryn Otoshi. Blue is a quiet color. Red is a hothead who likes to pick on blue. Other
colors don’t like what they see but what can they do? One comes along and shows all the
colors how to stand up.
Yoko by Rosemary Wells. When her teacher realizes that the handmade sushi Yoko’s mother
packs for her lunch sets her apart from other students, she organizes an international potluck.
Grades 2 and 3
The Brand New Kid by Katie Couric. When Lazlo transfers to a new school, he is teased by his
classmates until two girls find the compassion to befriend him.
Crickwing, by Jan Cannon. Crickwing never set out to be a bully. However, he is an easy
target for the bigger creatures in the forest. He evens the score by bullying those smaller than
him. The book explores what happens next.
The English Roses by Madonna. Four girls-Nicole, Amy, Charlotte, and Grade are eleven years
old and best of friends. They exclude Binah, another girl their age. This is a story about
friendship and rivalry set in contemporary London.
The Meanest Thing to Say by Bill Cosby. When a new kid at school tries to get other students
to put each other down, Little Bill turns to his father and learns a way to stop the situation.
Hey Little Ant by Phillip and Hannah Hoose. What would you do if the any you were about to
step on looked up and started talking? To squish or not to squish?
My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig. When Monica’s friend Katie begins to call her names in front
of the other kids at school, she feels betrayed and isolated. With help from her mother, Monica
reclaims her confidence and learns the difference between someone who bullies and a true
friend.
Nobody Knew What To Do: A Story About Bullying by Becky Ray McCain. When Ray is
bullied, the children sympathetic to him feel fear and confusion and can only hope that Ray will
‘fit in some day.” Finally after Ray misses a day of school and the bullying kids plot mean acts
for his return, does someone go to a teacher. The children stand up to the bullies.
Grades 4 and 5
100 Dresses by Eleanor Estes. Wanda tells classmates she has a hundred dresses in her
closet at home. So why does she always wear the same old blue dress to school?
Blubber by Judy Blume. Jill joins her classmates in bothering Linda. Later, she finds out what
it’s like to be a victim.
Crash by Jerry Spinelli. Crash has bullied his neighbors and classmates his whole life. When
his grandfather becomes ill, Crash reevaluates his family, neighbors, and classmates.
Eagle Song by Joseph Bruchac. After moving to New York from a Mohawk reservation, Danny
Bigtree encounters stereotypes about his heritage.
Joshua T. Bates Takes Charge by Susan Richards Shreve. Joshua, who worries about fitting in
at school, feels uncertain when the new student he is supposed to be helping becomes the
target of the class bully.
Sixth Grade Secrets by Louis Sachar. Laura starts a secret club. This club has secret
messages, secret codes, and also something embarrassing about each member as insurance.
Eventually, things begin to backfire.
The Well by Mildred Taylor. When there is a drought, the Logan family shares their well water
with all of their neighbors. However, David and Hammer find it hard to share with Charlie, who
torments them because they are black.
Yang the Third and Her Impossible Family by Lensey Namioka. Moving to America from China,
Yingme tries to fit in. After some embarrassing moments, she realizes it is possible to be
different and still be respected.