Originally published in TEACH Magazine, January/February 2025 Issue
By Kelsey McCallum
A 2019 UNESCO report revealed that nearly 1 in 3 students worldwide has been bullied within the past month. Bullying can take many forms, leaving children unsure of how to respond or where to seek help. To help address this issue, we’ve curated a list of impactful books that explore bullying from various perspectives. These stories can help kids see themselves in the characters, fostering empathy and understanding. Share these books with your students to spark meaningful conversations about bullying and empower them to stand up for themselves and others.
Benji Zeb is a Ravenous Werewolf
By Deke Moulton
Tundra Books (July 2024)
Grade Level: 5–8
Benji Zeb has a lot going on. He’s busy studying for his bar mitzvah, while also sorting out conflicting feelings for his school bully, Caleb. To top it all off, he’s trying to keep secret that he and his entire family are werewolves! When Caleb shows up at Benji’s family kibbutz and wolf sanctuary one night, it turns out that he’s a werewolf too, and he needs Benji’s help to control his shifting. This hard-hitting middle-grade novel looks at different prejudices that often lead to instances of bullying, including homophobia, antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and more.
A Kids Book About Bullying
By Elizabeth Tom
DK Children (July 2024)
Grade Level: K–3
This book offers a sensitive introduction for young readers to the topic of bullying, helping them to understand what it is, the impacts it has, and what they can do when they realize that it is taking place. Written by Elizabeth Tom when she was in high school, A Kids Book About Bullying takes an age-appropriate tone throughout, and serves as a reminder that it’s always OK to ask for help.
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Millie Magnus Won’t Be Bullied
By Brittany Mazique
Illustrated by Ebony Glenn
G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (December 2024)
Grade Level: K–2
This first installment in the Millie Magnus chapter book series follows third-grader Millie as she tries to deal with a boy from school, Buckley, who keeps making fun of her. All Millie wants to do is focus on Field Day and the three-legged race that she and her mom get to compete in together, but then she gets assigned to race against Buckley! Her plan to talk with him about the bullying lands Millie herself in the principal’s office, and she thinks all hope is lost until she learns something about Buckley that might just change her opinion of him…
Not Not Normal
By Peter E. Fenton
James Lorimer & Company (September 2024)
Grade Level: 9–12
An important read for teens, this queer YA novel explores the healing power of friendship and the courage it takes to stand up for yourself. Jordan has never been popular at school. He’s a bit different than everyone else, and is often bullied because of it. All that starts to change when he meets Nathan, a transfer student who is Jordan’s complete opposite. As the two start to grow closer, Nathan begins to break down Jordan’s walls and provides the encouragement Jordan needs to build his self-confidence.
Of Her Own Design
By Birdie Willis and Nicole Andelfinger
Illustrated by Vash Taylor et al.
Maverick (June 2024)
Grade Level: 7–12
In this collaborative graphic novel, one teenager discovers her own inner strength and finally begins to compose her own narrative. Aspiring writer Brie Page is facing numerous struggles in her everyday life. Writers’ block, her parents constant fighting, her best-friend-turned bully, and a cute new girl at school—just to name a few. After an encounter with a strange bookseller, Brie is given the chance to escape all her problems, by writing them into stories! But then suddenly those very stories start coming to life and taking over her town, leaving Brie no choice but to face her worries head-on.
The One and Only Question
By Norma Charles and Andrea Charles
Illustrated by Ken Daley
Groundwood Books (March 2025)
Grade Level: K–3
This poignant picture book addresses the issue of racism-based bullying, and the importance of a safe learning environment for all students. Zeke is expecting the first day at his new school to go poorly. He’s waiting for students here to call him the N-word, just like his previous classmates did. Instead, he’s met with a small act of kindness that’s completely unexpected, and best of all, no one says that awful word to him all day. Backmatter includes an author’s note that offers suggestions for ways to help educators, caregivers, and victims tackle racism-based bullying.
Penny’s Triumphant Turnaround
By Stacey MacLean
Illustrated by Danelle Vautour
Monster House Publishing (September 2024)
Grade Level: 3–5
After a really bad day at school, thanks to a bully whose inappropriate behaviour embarrassed her in front of everyone, Penny doesn’t want to go back. She’s not sure how to face the bully and the rest of her classmates, and all the worry is making her stomach hurt. She’s heard of anxiety before, but never knew it could feel like this! Will she be able to overcome her negative feelings and have fun at school again?
Pizza Face
By Rex Ogle
Illustrated by Dave Valeza
Scholastic (July 2024)
Grade Level: 3–7
Rex’s first day of seventh grade is off to a bumpy start when he wakes up with a giant pimple in the middle of his forehead. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he overhears his friends making fun of his voice, and the school bullies decide to pick him for a new target. Middle-grade readers are sure to relate with this coming-of-age graphic novel as they see Rex struggle with the effects of puberty, changing relationships with his friend group, and a challenging home life.
Rules for Camouflage
By Kirstin Cronn-Mills
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 2024)
Grade Level: 9–12
Rules for Camouflage tells the story of a neurodivergent teen as she navigates school, friendships, and first love. Evvie Chambers just has to make it through one more month of high school, then she’ll be able to graduate and forget all about teachers like Ms. Dearborn, who refuse to accommodate her neurodiversity, or bullies like Vandal McDaniel, who spend their time picking on Evvie and her group of friends. But when a sudden act of violence throws Evvie’s world into chaos, she will have to decide how to move forward, and what kind of place she wants to carve out for herself in the world.
Swan: The Girl Who Grew
By Sidura Ludwig
Nimbus Publishing (September 2024)
Grade Level: 3–7
This middle-grade novel-in-verse is based on the real-life story of Anna Swan, “The Giantess of Nova Scotia” who lived during the late 1800s and grew to be nearly eight feet tall. Before she became famous for travelling in P. T. Barnum’s circus, Anna was a young girl growing up in rural Nova Scotia. During her childhood, she faced all kinds of bullies, and dreamed of finding a way to stop growing. She wanted the rest of the world to see her as the gentle girl she knew herself to be, no matter her size. Swan is a story of family, courage, and the often-difficult path to self-love and acceptance.
Kelsey McCallum is an Associate Editor for TEACH Magazine. She holds a BSc from the University of Guelph and a Graduate Certificate from Centennial College. She currently lives in Toronto, ON, with her partner and their cat, Banksy.
