School Library Journal Review

Gr 7 Up-Three scenarios related to bullying are presented featuring a diverse group of teens. In the first realistic situation, a young lady is seen talking to another girl who is outside of her clique. The clique's leader criticizes her for associating with this person and also puts her down for joining the French club, implying that her status as a clique member is in jeopardy. The outsider confides that she and the clique leader were once best friends until she stood up for herself. Although the bully spread rumors about her, the girl says that she prefers to be her own person. The protagonist contemplates her options. The next, less believable scenario portrays a brother and sister who work in the family store and are bullied into giving two underage boys free beer, cigarettes, and snacks. When this becomes a pattern, rather than telling anyone, the teens suggest installing cameras and leave viewers wondering about the result. The third story revolves around a new kid in school who is a soccer star and the victim of another team member's jealousy that manifests in cyberbullying. The victim confides in the coach who persuades him to tell his parents and have the ISP traced and the perpetrator prosecuted. There is a pause between each story and discussion questions are offered. The CD includes fact sheets, tests, and more. While these scenarios provide a good springboard for discussion, the overall quality is only adequate and the acting is amateurish.-Constance Dickerson, Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library, OH (c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.