It is more important than ever to teach students the negative effects of bullying and to do so as soon as possible. With the help of our amazing community of teachers, we’ve compiled this list of anti-bullying books (organized from least to greatest) that address teasing, friendship, self-esteem, and more.
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You are reading: Children’s books about bullying
1. stick and stone by beth ferry
True friends stick up for each other, even when it’s a little scary.
best for grades preschool-2
2. stand up molly lou melon by patty lovell
molly lou is a unique person, that’s for sure. but his grandmother has taught him well. So when a stalker picks on Molly, she knows exactly what to do.
best for grades pre-k-3
3. chrysanthemum by kevin henkes
Chrysanthemum, a popular picture book, is a story about teasing, self-esteem, and acceptance. it has sold more than a million copies and was named a notable children’s book by the American Library Association.
best for grades pre-k-3
4. a big guy took my ball by mo willems
Sometimes it’s scary being the kid on campus. Will Piggie and Gerald find a way to survive the playground bully?
best for grades pre-k-3
5. recess queen by alexis o’neill and laura huliska-beith
mean jean is the queen of recess, and it’s not until a new girl becomes her friend that the dynamics of recess change for the better. This book is ideal for addressing bullying that can be resolved without adult intervention.
best for grades pre-k-3
6. the juice box thug by bob sornson and maria dismondy
One of the best things kids can do to combat bullying is stand up for each other, which is exactly what the juice box bully is all about. students will learn how to support each other instead of doing nothing when they witness a bullying confrontation.
best for grades pre-k-3
7. willow finds a way through the wool button
When stalker kristabelle starts to stop inviting kids to her birthday party, shy and quiet willow decides she’s had enough. Her simple act surprises everyone and changes the dynamic of the entire class.
best for grades pre-k-3
8. walking with vanessa de kerascoet
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This picture-only storybook beautifully illustrates how one person’s kindness can inspire an entire community to stand up to bullying.
best for grades pre-k-3
9. you, me and the empathy of jayneen sanders
a very useful book to teach children about empathy, feelings, kindness, compassion, tolerance and recognition of bullying behaviors.
best for grades K-3
10. Enemy Pie by Derek Munson 
Readers will learn about the benefits of making new friends in this book. When Jeremy Ross tries to get rid of his enemy, his father comes to the rescue. The capture? The only way for Jeremy to succeed is to spend an entire day playing with the enemy. Soon her best enemy becomes her best friend!
best for grades K-4
11. my secret thug by trudy ludwig
Monica and Katie have been friends since kindergarten, but the more they get older, the more confused the friendship becomes. Monica can’t understand why Katie has started excluding and insulting her.
best for grades 1-4
12. the hundred dresses of eleanor estes
The Hundred Dresses won a Newbery Award in 1945. It is about a classmate who is ridiculed by bullies for wearing the same dress to school every day, while other students stand by and do nothing. to help.
best for grades 1-5
13. the invisible child by trudy ludwig
This book sensitively addresses the needs of quieter children and reminds readers how small acts of kindness can help others feel included.
best for grades 1-5
14. john cary’s wrath tree
a neighborhood bully learns valuable lessons from a maple tree. kids will be able to talk about important topics like anger and self-control.
best for grades 1-6
15. every kindness of jacqueline woodson
This book has a powerful anti-bullying message and follows the story of Chloe, who doesn’t let the new girl, Maya, play with her and her friends. Maya finally stops going to school, and Chloe realizes that a small act of kindness, like befriending Maya, could have gone a long way.
best for grades 2-5
16. patricia polacco’s bully
here is a book that addresses cyberbullying and cliques. When the students start harassing their classmates on Facebook, Lyla knows something has to be done. this is a perfect read for our increasingly digitally savvy students.
best for grades 2-5
17. the bully book by eric kahn gale
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This book is based on true events, as the author vaguely recounts what it was like when he was bullied in sixth grade. incorporates both sides of bullying and addresses this constant problem in the lives of high school students.
best for grades 2-7
18. wonder of r.j. palace
This uplifting novel follows August Pullman through fifth grade, which is his first time entering a mainstream school. August was born with a facial deformity, so he will have to convince his classmates that he is normal, just like them, despite his appearance.
best for grades 4-6
19. true friends of shannon hale
what happens when your best friend forever starts hanging out with the “popular” crowd? a story about how hard it is to find your true friends in life, but how worth the journey.
best for grades 4-7
20. wolf hollow by lauren wolk
The heroine Annabelle must muster the courage to stand up to a vicious thug and lead by example in this heartwarming story set in the United States during World War II.
best for grades 5-7
21. dear thug by dawn metcalf
This book is a must read for teenagers. Today’s top young adult authors contributed 70 candid stories about bullying to this collection, from being a bystander to a victim to a bully. the book also includes resources and suggestions for further reading.
ideal for 8th grade and up
22. provocation of amanda maciel
This story is about a teenage girl facing criminal bullying charges after a classmate commits suicide. She is now under attack as her peers, the community and the media scold her for causing such a tragic event.
best for grades 9 and above
23. side effects may vary depending on julie murphy
Alice, 16, decides to settle scores with her classmates after she is diagnosed with leukemia. Knowing that he only has a few months to live, he believes that if he takes it out on himself and hurts people for things they’ve done in the past, it won’t matter in the future. To his surprise, she goes into remission and has to face the consequences of everything he has said and done.
best for grades 9 and above
what are your favorite anti-bullying books? Come share in our weareteachers helpline group on facebook.
Also, check out our favorite books to teach kindness
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