The Survival Guide to Bullying: Written by a Teen

by Aija Mayrock

Overview

The Survival Guide to Bullying covers everything from cyber bullying to how to deal with fear and how to create the life you dream of having. From inspiring "roems" (rap poems), survival tips, personal stories, and quick quizzes, this book will light the way to a brighter future. This updated edition also features new, never-before-seen content including a chapter about how to talk to parents, an epilogue, and an exclusive Q&A with the author.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780545860666
Publisher:	Scholastic, Inc.
Publication date:	08/25/2015
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	160
Product dimensions:	5.30(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Aija Mayrock is nineteen years old and in her freshman year of college in New York City. She began writing The Survival Guide to Bullying at age sixteen after dealing with bullying in her own life for many years. She promised herself that she would publish it as her gift to the next generation of kids who are bullied.

Table of Contents

My Gift 1

Introduction 9

Chapter 1 Because You're a Normal Kid 20

Chapter 2 The Old You: Stuck in an Act 29

Chapter 3 The Real You: Out with the Old, In with the New 40

Chapter 4 Getting Help: Becoming Your Own Superhero 56

Chapter 5 The Dark Tunnel 72

Chapter 6 Battlefield Scenarios: Surviving in the Trenches 84

Chapter 7 #Cyberbullying: Pressing Delete 101

Chapter 8 Being Happy Again 120

Chapter 9 Benefits of Being Bullied: Finding the Light at the End of the Tunnel 130

Epilogue 137

Q&A with Aija 141

Hotlines 149

Acknowledgments 151

About the Author 153

Editorial Reviews

The Survival Guide To Bullying, based on the author’s own experiences, was written by nineteen-year-old Mayrock literally as a survival guide for others being bullied. This is not just a pep talk; there are practical suggestions to get through the day. For example, to spend less time in the changing room at gym class, practice speed undressing and dressing at home; also, map out the safest route through school. She is very supportive and understanding of the pain others suffer but makes it clear that not only do you have the power to change the situation, indeed, you are the only one who can. Mayrock constantly states the need to discover the “real you,” the only person who really matters and who is needed for your future. Forgiving your bully is mentioned as a good thing to do for your own peace of mind, but she also acknowledges that you will know when the time is right to do that. While this could be perceived as a “girly” book, with the bright blue cover, fancy font, and poems decorated with hearts, wings, and flowers, it is full of helpful ideas and supportive advice and should prove to be an invaluable resource. This title has enough information to appeal to all ages. Mayrock is very inspirational: in an interview, when asked how she got back up after being knocked down so many times, she answered that she knew she had dreams and wanted a bright future: “You must decide to get back up even before you get knocked down.” Reviewer: Sharon Martin; Ages 11 to 18.

VOYA, October 2015 (Vol. 38, No. 4) - Sharon Martin

10/01/2015
Gr 4–7—In this revised edition of a self-published title, Mayrock, a college freshman, draws on her own experiences as a victim of bullying in middle and high school in order to help other teens. Her first-person voice is conversational and encouraging, and she offers practical survival tips (verified by experts), such as the importance of asking for adult help. Only occasionally does the advice veer into platitudes (for instance, "a war isn't won overnight"). The format and design are occasionally distracting, but on the whole, each chapter is useful as a guide to stand-alone topics, such as coping with cyberbullying and handling fear, making this a good title for young adults to consult in a moment of need. Some of the practical advice includes letter writing (penning a letter to loved ones about bullying situations), accepting oneself, and embracing creativity. Mayrock clearly relied on these steps herself; her creativity can be seen through the poems interspersed throughout. Each relates to the topic of the given chapter and conveys the raw emotions and reality of bullying. VERDICT This slim guide will be a ready resource for young people.—Ernie Cox, Prairie Creek Intermediate School, Cedar Rapids, IA

School Library Journal

2015-08-26
Author Mayrock, a teen who was bullied for many years, offers tips and inspiration to others in her position. Advice is presented in short, visually appealing chapters. Exercises, lists, drawings, and pull quotes are interleaved with text, and blue, bolded lettering emphasizes key lines. Each chapter opens with a heartfelt "roem"—a term the author has coined for her rap poems—in type that emulates handwriting set on a lined page. Creativity, Mayrock explains, has been one of the most powerful tools in her healing process. Throughout the book, suggestions are helpfully broad-ranging, from nitty-gritty safety tips (if you go to a party, make sure you have a trustworthy ride home) to internal affirmations (bullying is never your fault). One of the most effective chapters invites readers to identify traits bullies target and reframe them as positives; the author describes her own quietness, creativity, and long, thick hair as examples. The author writes transparently from personal experience, and some of the specific emotional impacts or bullying tactics she describes might not be wholly universal. Nevertheless, her advice is varied and her compassion, genuine enough that readers are bound to find plenty of applicable nuggets as well as a wealth of encouragement. Practical, moving, and deeply kind. (Nonfiction. 10-18)

Kirkus Reviews

06/22/2015
“I know what it’s like to be hated for no reason... and to feel alone with no end in sight.” Mayrock’s debut, first self-published as an e-book in 2014, offers earnest advice for those struggling with bullying. Quizzes framed as chat exchanges, bullet points, and Mayrock’s “roems” (rap poems) help walk readers through types of bullying, surviving “in the trenches,” self-acceptance, and taking action when necessary. Readers may recognize their own struggles in her emotionally charged verse (“I’ve been broken/ Bruised/ Stabbed and subdued/ Submerged in darkness/ Told there would be no light”), and while Mayrock acknowledges that her suggestions won’t instantly solve readers’ bullying problems, she offers a range of ideas (such as embracing hobbies, expanding social circles, and unplugging from the Internet) that may help make the light at the end of the tunnel feel a bit closer. Ages 10–up. Agent: Jay Kramer. (June)

Publishers Weekly

Written by a teen for teens, this is a thorough guide for any student struggling with bullies in their life. Using both researched facts and personal anecdotes, Mayrock explains not only what bullying looks like, but also how to cope with being bullied and find a way out of the situation. Each chapter comes with a “roem” or rap poem that was written by the author and deals with issues from self-acceptance to cyber-bullying. There are bolded and highlighted takeaways, games and, “survival tips” throughout to vary the reading experience. The book also includes a Q & A with the author and a list of resources for readers looking for more information or support. This book would be ideal for middle school students facing bullying. Teachers and parents could use it as a way to show support for students struggling socially in school. Students going through counseling or needing extra support could use writing prompts and exercises in the book. Language and stories are age-appropriate and written by and for young adult readers. Reviewer: Amy McLaughlin; Ages 10 up.

Children's Literature - Amy McLaughlin