Nobody!: A Story About Overcoming Bullying in Schools

Gr 1–3—This straightforward picture book tackles the issue of bullying. Thomas feels bad about himself because Kyle keeps putting him down ("Nobody cares about your stupid bug collection, Thomas."). The situations depicted here are realistic and will provide many opportunities for discussion among students. Kyle is portrayed not merely as a bully but rather as someone who also needs help coping with his feelings. The story ends on a hopeful note, with Thomas deciding to stand up for himself and Kyle beginning to realize that his behavior is alienating others. Realistic illustrations, which emphasize the expressions on the characters' faces, complement the text well. Back matter reinforces the concepts demonstrated in the story, and there is also information for adults on how to start a conversation on bullying.