Anger Management & Violence in Society

In Todd Strasser's Give a Boy a Gun , a character says, "Violence comes in many forms—guns, fists, and words of hate and contempt. Unless we change the way we treat others in school and out, there will only be more—and more horrible—tragedies." This statement is a challenge to adults who work with young people. Statistics are sobering. The National Center for Children Exposed to Violence (www.nccev.org/violence/statistics.html) states that, "Approximately 4 million adolescents have been victims of a serious physical assault, and 9 million have witnessed serious violence during their lifetimes." The Center also states that, "The U.S. has the highest rates of childhood homicide, suicide, and firearm-related death among industrialized countries." Our collective memories are shadowed by the violence in Littleton, CO (Columbine High School shooting), Laramie, WY (Matthew Shepard), and Jasper, TX (James Byrd, Jr.). Literature offers a way to educate children about anger management and violence and can open and foster discussion about emotional violence (including racism and prejudice) and physical violence. Books help us grapple with difficult questions: Can anger be controlled? What is a violent act? What are the consequences of violence, for ourselves and for others? Are there alternatives to it?

From Molly Bang's Sophie in When Sophie Gets Angry–Really, Really Angry to Bo Brewster in Chris Crutcher's Ironman, young people struggle with controlling the anger that threatens to consume them. In Eve Bunting's Your Move, Walter Dean Myers's Scorpions, and Gary Soto's Buried Onions, the protagonists face gang violence and peer pressure. Sharon Draper's The Battle for Jericho, Norma Fox Mazer's Out of Control, and Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak offer powerful narratives about teens struggling with the consequences of bullying, hazing, and physical aggression, while the violence of racism is explored in Ntozake Shange's Whitewash, and in Chris Crowe's searing nonfiction account, Getting Away with Murder . Perhaps the books in this bibliography can provide young people with the understanding and empathy for others that will "change the way we treat others in school and out."

Fiction

BANG, Molly. When Sophie Gets Angry– Really, Really Angry. illus. by author. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 1999.
PreS-Gr 2–Color and bold graphics portray the rise and fall of a child's temper. Sophie becomes "angry–really, really angry" when her sister takes her toy gorilla. Her anger explodes like a volcano, and the colors of the illustrations reflect her emotions. She gradually calms herself, and the lesson that anger can be managed, contained, and overcome is evocatively presented for young children. Video and audio available from Spoken Arts.

BUNTING, Eve. Your Move. illus. by James Ransome. Harcourt. 1998.
Gr 2-5 –With his mother at work, 10-year-old James takes his younger brother to an initiation for the K-bones, a self-described "bunch of kids who hang out and do cool stuff." James quickly realizes that involvement is dangerous, and finds the courage to refuse membership to the gang. Ransome's realistic full-bleed oil paintings capture the emotion and drama. Insightful but simply told, this story addresses issues of making choices, following one's conscience, and resisting peer pressure.

CASELEY, Judith. Bully. illus. by author. Greenwillow. 2001.
PreS-Gr 3 –Jack has become a bully, eating Mickey's cookies and tripping him in class. Frustrated, Mickey asks his parents for help. His mother suggests a nonviolent and nonconfrontational approach: try and understand why Jack is acting this way, and be kind to him. The watercolor and colored-pencil illustrations are simply rendered and filled with interesting details of everyday life. Children will learn about empathy, dealing with bullies, and finding solutions to conflicts without aggression.

SHANGE, Ntozake. Whitewash. illus. by Michael Sporn. Walker. 1997.
Gr 2-5 –Helene-Angel and her brother are victims of a racial attack. Mauricio is beaten up, and the gang of white thugs paints Helene-Angel's face with white paint to "teach her how to be white." Based on the Carnegie Medal-winning video, the boldly colored illustrations are reproductions of animation cells and present a powerful portrayal of the physical and emotional consequences of racial violence.

VAIL, Rachel. Sometimes I'm Bombaloo. illus. by Yumi Heo. Scholastic. 2002.
PreS-Gr 2 –Katie is normally a good kid, but her little brother sometimes drives her over the edge, making her "bombaloo." This angry alter ego is hard to deal with, and Katie has to take time-outs to conquer her tantrums. Brightly colored illustrations in mixed media effectively portray her changing emotions. This book acknowledges anger, and affirms a child's ability to control it.

Nonfiction

AGASSI, Martine. Hands Are Not for Hitting. illus. by Marieka Heinlen. Free Spirit. 2000.
PreS-Gr 1 –This useful and approachable title helps adults present simple concepts of nonviolence to young children, encouraging them to see that hitting is never the answer, and that there are ways to manage anger. Simple,colorful cartoon illustrations portray a multiethnic group of children. The examples presented are appropriate for units on conflict management and problem solving. Additional activities extend and reinforce the text.

RAPPAPORT, Doreen. Martin's Big Words. illus. by Bryan Collier. Hyperion/Jump at the Sun. 2001.
PreS-Gr 5 –Elegant and accessible, this powerful homage to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and beliefs is illustrated with glorious collage art made of cut paper, photographs, and watercolors. The narrative is interspersed with quotes from King himself and raises questions about oppression, prejudice, racism, and overcoming violence in nonviolent ways. An evocative introduction to the man who championed racial equality and who "taught others to fight with words, not fists." Video and audio available from Weston Woods.

SWEENEY, Jacqueline, ed. Poems about Anger. Benchmark. 2002.
Gr 3-5 –Written and illustrated by elementary school students in the Arlington (VA) Central School District, this collection may inspire children to create poetry and artwork to express their own feelings. Poems that describe rage and anger as well as ways to manage anger provide a nonviolent alternative to expressing strong emotions and the opportunity to empathize with the feelings of others.

Fiction

COMAN, Carolyn. What Jamie Saw. Front St. 1995.
Gr 5-8 –A powerful and ultimately hopeful story of a family facing, and escaping, domestic violence is told through the eyes of nine-year-old Jamie. The lyrical prose captures his fear and his efforts to make sense out of the abuse he witnesses. A good choice to help children understand what it feels like to be a victim of violence. Audio available from Listening Library.

DEANS, Sis. Racing the Past. Holt. 2001.
Gr 5-8 –Ricky Gordon struggles to deal with his anger and memories of the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father, who is now dead. To avoid bullying from classmates and the resulting fights, he stops taking the bus and takes up running. Through it, he gains self-respect and self-empowerment. His race to beat the bus home is a powerful metaphor as he slowly learns to overcome the violence and anger in his past.

HESSE, Karen. Witness. Scholastic. 2001.
Gr 5-9 –Told in lyrical free verse using 11 different voices, this real-life story of the Ku Klux Klan's infiltration of a small Vermont town in 1924 works well as reader's theater. Two children, one African American and one Jewish, are the primary targets of prejudice and violence. The novel explores one community's ultimate rejection of hatred and prompts thought about the existence of hate groups and racism in our lives today. Audio available from Listening Library.

JOHNSTON, Tony. Any Small Goodness: A Novel of the Barrio. illus. by Raúl Colón. Scholastic/Blue Sky. 2001.
Gr 4-7 –Arturo and his family face daily violence in the barrios of Los Angeles. When a drive-by gang shooting terrorizes them, the 11-year-old takes his father's advice: "If you do not find enough of the good, you must yourself create it." This is a strong family story, interspersed with Spanish words and cultural details that lend authenticity to the portrayal of the setting and characters. Arturo's unique way of fighting violence–organizing anonymous acts of charity in his community–presents a picture of hope.

MIKAELSEN, Ben. Touching Spirit Bear. HarperCollins. 2001.
Gr 6-9 –Cole Matthews is a violent teen with abusive and distant parents. When his anger erupts and he severely beats a classmate, he faces "Circle Justice," a Native American tradition of punishment and healing. His unusual sentence–a year on an uninhabited Arctic island–is both a physical and emotional survival story, as he learns to manage his anger, develop empathy, and take responsibility for his actions. Audio available from Listening Library.

MYERS, Walter Dean. Scorpions. HarperCollins. 1988.
Gr 7-9 –Best friends Jamal and Tito are dealing with inner-city gang violence, facing rough kids at school and on the street. When Jamal is approached by the Scorpions and given a gun, he and Tito gain respect. The boys' actions and choices address peer pressure, gang membership, the seductive power of guns, and the lasting consequences of violence. Audio available from Recorded Books.

PAULSEN, Gary. The Rifle. Harcourt. 1995.
Gr 6-9 –This short, powerful cautionary tale traces the long history of a "sweet" rifle–one that is deadly accurate. As tension builds, the stage is set for a tragedy involving the 200-year-old weapon and a teenage boy. Sure to provoke discussions on gun control, violence, and our modern gun culture. Audio available from Recorded Books.

SPINELLI, Jerry. Wringer. HarperCollins/Joanna Cotler Bks. 1997.
Gr 4-8 –Palmer dreads his 10th birthday, for he is expected to become a "wringer"–a boy who wrings the necks of wounded pigeons during the town's annual charity shoot. When his desire to be part of the gang clashes with his sensitive, nonviolent personality, he finds the courage to stand for his own beliefs, resisting the peer pressure of bullies and rejecting the violence he detests. Audio available from Recorded Books.

Nonfiction

CROWE, Chris. Getting Away with Murder: The True Story of the Emmett Till Case. Penguin Putnam/Phyllis Fogelman Bks. 2003.
Gr 7 Up –Historical events can portray racism and violence with a searing power that surpasses works of fiction. The gruesome, racially motivated murder of a 14-year-old African-American boy in Mississippi in 1954, credited with spurring the Civil Rights Movement, will shock those unfamiliar with the story. Discussions about racism, justice, violence, and hate crimes will be inevitable.

WANDBERG, Robert. Conflict Resolution: Communication, Cooperation, Compromise. Capstone/LifeMatters. 2000.
Gr 7-10 –Definitions of conflict, including violent conflict, are presented along with risks and factors associated with behavior that leads to violence. Conflict-resolution skills are introduced as well as self-assessment tools for teens to test how they deal with conflicts, relationships, and risky behavior. The short chapters, interesting facts, and concise case studies provide examples for teaching units.

Fiction

ANDERSON, Laurie Halse. Speak. Farrar. 1999.
Gr 9 Up –After ruining a summer party by calling the police, Melinda Sordino begins her freshman year as an outcast. The truth is she was raped, and because of the trauma, she barely speaks. The teen's struggle to find acceptance and her voice is compelling and illustrates the cruelty of peer pressure and high school cliques.

CRUTCHER, Chris. Ironman. Greenwillow. 1995.
Gr 9 Up –Bo Brewster has endured years of bullying from his father, but blows up at a teacher and lands in an anger-management class. His interactions with Mr. Nak, the teacher, and the other students in his class provide compelling scenes of troubled teens trying to make sense of their lives. Bo's emotional struggles and his desire to be an Ironman triathlete make this both a riveting psychological study and an exciting sports story. Audio available from Recorded Books.

DRAPER, Sharon M. The Battle of Jericho. S & S/Atheneum. 2003.
Gr 9 Up –Cousins Josh and Jericho are asked to pledge the Warriors of Distinction and are soon caught in the seductive power of teen clubs. As the hazing during pledge week becomes more and more intense, and tragedy inevitable, Jericho's battles with the consequences of his choices will elicit questions about peer pressure and hazing.

FLINN, Alex. Breathing Underwater. HarperCollins. 2001.
Gr 9 Up –Nick Andreas seemingly has it all, until he beats up his girlfriend and is ordered to complete a family violence program in order to stay out of jail. The 16-year-old's history of abuse at the hands of his violent father unfolds as he learns to deal with his own abusive behavior, low self-esteem, and controlling relationship with his girlfriend. Audio available from Listening Library.

FRANK, E. R. America. S & S/Atheneum/A Richard Jackson Bk. 2002.
Gr 9 Up –This heartbreaking story of survival, forgiveness, and redemption opens with 15-year-old America in a residential psychiatric program for youth after a suicide attempt. His therapy sessions with Dr. B. alternate with scenes from his past, presenting readers with pictures of horrific abuse. America's slow road to recovery is powerful, and will prompt reflection on the nature of violence and forgiveness.

FROST, Helen. Keesha's House. Farrar/Frances Foster Bks. 2003.
Gr 9 Up –In an inner-city neighborhood, Keesha finds shelter in a house owned by Joe, an adult who was himself a troubled teen. She invites other angry, scared, and abused teens to find safety and refuge in the home that becomes known as Keesha's House. The story, told in the multiple voices of teens struggling to overcome adversity, trauma, and abuse, is realistically and evocatively told. This poem-story of sestinas and sonnets is a wonderful choice for reader's theater.

HALLIDAY, John. Shooting Monarchs. S & S/Margaret K. McElderry Bks. 2003.
Gr 9 Up –Macy and David's lives have been touched by violence and abuse. As a result, Macy becomes a cold-blooded killer, while David remains compassionate and gentle. Their lives intersect with tragic results. This short novel's open ending will provoke thoughtful debate about bullying, abuse, guilt, and punishment.

MAZER, Norma Fox. Out of Control. HarperCollins/Avon. 1994.
Gr 7 Up –Three boys assault Valerie Michon in a deserted high school corridor. The two leaders think the assault was just for fun, while Rollo, a follower, experiences guilt and deep regrets. This credible and powerful study of sexual harassment raises issues about physical aggression, victim's rights, and the meaning of justice.

MYERS, Walter Dean. Monster. HarperCollins. 1999.
Gr 9 Up –When Steve Harmon is accused of being an accomplice in a robbery and murder, he chronicles his trial and experiences in the form of a movie script. The prosecutor calls the teen a monster while his high school film teacher calls him compassionate. The ambiguous ending of this riveting account provides much opportunity for debate. Audio available from Listening Library.

SOTO, Gary. Buried Onions. Harcourt. 1997.
Gr 9 Up –The violence and despair of life in the Fresno, CA, barrio is lyrically described as a 19-year-old Mexican-American struggles to escape the gang warfare, drive-by shootings, drugs, sorrow, and squalor. This is a compelling portrait of a teen attempting to overcome escalating violence while remaining emotionally and physically intact. Audio available from Recorded Books.

STRASSER, Todd. Give a Boy a Gun. S & S. 2000.
Gr 9 Up –This powerful and chilling documentary novel explores the psyches of two teens who go on a shooting rampage and hold their classmates hostage at Middletown High School. Statistics, quotes, and facts about actual incidents of school violence are interspersed with a series of fictional interviews raising questions about gun control, school violence, and bullying. Parallels with the shooting at Columbine are inevitable. Audio available from Recorded Books.

Nonfiction

EGENDORF, Laura K., ed. Violence. Gale/Greenhaven. 2001.
Gr 9 Up –The "Opposing Viewpoint" format provides a useful tool to challenge readers, develop critical-thinking skills, and question long-held opinions. The selections on youth violence, domestic violence against women, violence in the media, hate crimes, racial violence, and gun violence are concise and short enough for classroom use.

MERRIAM, Eve. The Inner City Mother Goose. illus. by David Diaz. S & S. 1996.
Gr 9 Up –"Fee, fi, fo, fum, I smell the blood of violence to come." Merriam's parodies are biting social and political commentaries that, paired with Diaz's striking illustrations, present powerful images of the violence, distrust, corruption, anger, and racism that affect the lives of many in America's inner cities. Mature readers will grapple with the disturbing themes and appreciate the satire.

National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center
(www.safeyouth.org). (Accessed 8/16/03).
The National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center (NYVPRC) is a site established through the joint collaboration of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other federal agencies. It provides a central source of information for parents, professionals, and teens with publications, research, and statistics focusing on violence committed by and against children. The site provides links to news articles from national newspapers, fact sheets on multiple related issues, and a comprehensive directory of topics that provides access to in-depth reports and overviews on issues ranging from anger management to girl gangs to youth hate crimes. The section for teens is particularly useful and relevant. The "Hot Topic" section provides comprehensive discussions on aggression, bullying, managing anger, etc. These articles include advice for teens on dealing with different issues, useful links for further reading, and references.