Book Recommendations: Anti-Bullying Books

In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.

Comedian Steve Hofstetter grapples with life after seventh grade... when his world fell apart. Formatted as a series of personal essays, Steve walks his readers through awkward early dating, family turbulence, and the revenge of the bullied nerds.

A teenager's memoir of the experiences of bullying, being HIV positive and surviving the experiences to become a force for positive change in this world.

Tells the true story of an agender teen who was set on fire by another teen while riding a bus in Oakland, a crime that focuses on the concepts of race, class, gender, crime, and punishment.

Lady Gaga and her mother collected stories from their Channel Kindness nonprofit to celebrate the quiet influence of kindness in today’s world and the examples of young people whose acts of bravery and resilience demonstrate the universal power of caring for others.

A collection of stories and poems by teenage writers that looks at the subtleties of harassment, the myriad reasons victims may be chosen, and how one day, as adults, they will be able to help.

At Niveus Private Academy, Devon and Chiamaka are the only students chosen to be Senior Prefects who are also black, which makes them targets for a series of anonymous texts revealing their secrets to the entire student body. Both students were on track toward valedictorian and bright college futures, but this prank quickly turns into a very dangerous game and they are at more than one disadvantage as it looks like things could turn deadly.

At Foxham Prep, a posh private school for Washington, D.C.'s elite, a rumor gains momentum as it collects followers on social media, pulling three girls into its path--Bryn, who wants to erase all the mistake of last summer; cheer captain Cora, who desperately wants to believe boyfriend is faithful; and shy Georgie, newly hot after a summer at fat camp--but who can stop a dangerous rumor once it takes on a life of its own?

In this near-future mystery, Kyla Cheng, the smartest, hottest, most popular student at her Brooklyn high school, gets taken down a peg by a faked sex tape that goes viral.

Bobby, who is bullied by the kids at school for living in a home with a front yard that is filled with garbage, meets a young artist who teaches him to see himself as more than 'Junk Boy'

Obsessed with the idea that he is not muscular enough and tired of being bullied, David, age seventeen, begins using steroids, endangering his relationships with family and friends.

Felix Love, a transgender seventeen-year-old, attempts to get revenge by catfishing his anonymous bully, but lands in a quasi-love triangle with his former enemy and his best friend.

Fat Angie's sister was captured in Iraq, she is the resident laughingstock at school, and her therapist tells her to count instead of eat, but her life changes when she meets the daring new girl, KC Romance.

Frankie has her first sexual experience while on her period. It's only blood, they agree. But soon a gruesome meme goes viral, turning an intimate, affectionate afternoon into something sordid, mortifying, and damaging. In the time it takes to swipe, Frankie's universe implodes.

Simone, seventeen, HIV-positive and in love for the first time, decides that facing potential bullies head-on may be better than protecting her secret.

Unable to control his binge eating, a morbidly obese teenager nicknamed Butter decides to make a live webcast of his last meal as he attempts to eat himself to death.

Piddy Sanchez deals with bullying at her new school, and as the harassment escalates, she struggles to survive and to discover who she really is.

Amanda Hardy only wants to fit in at her new school, but she is keeping a big secret, so when she falls for Grant, guarded Amanda finds herself yearning to share with him everything about herself, including her previous life as Andrew.

High school sophomore Danny excels at gymnastics but is bullied, like the rest of the gymnasts, by members of the football team, until an emotionally and physically scarred new student joins the football team and forms an unlikely friendship with Danny.

With both good speed and good hands, wide receiver Brock Ripley should be a natural for the varsity team, but he shies from physical contact. When his issues get him cut from varsity, he also loses his friendship with star quarterback Hunter Gates. Now a target for bullying, Brock struggles to overcome his fears and discover that, in his own way, he is brave enough.

When a cyberbully sends the entire high school a picture of basketball hero Bijan Majidi, photo-shopped to look like a terrorist, the school administration promises to find and punish the culprit, but Bijan just wants to pretend the incident never happened and move on.

The poems in this collection-- chosen with girls in mind but can be for anyone-- sing of diversity, self-discovery, and self-acceptance. Grouped by emotional experience, the poems offer wisdom and compassion for a vital, formative time in their lives. They also give the reader permission let go of shame and perfectionism. By accepting your own contradictions, you can embrace the fullness of who you are-- and of who you are becoming.

Two expert researchers on bullying prevention speak directly to teens about how they can end cyberbullying. It provides them with numerous peer anecdotes and strategies they can use to help create kinder schools and communities

Being a powerhouse is a choice, a lifestyle, a code of ethics. It takes work, a thick skin, and perseverance. Learn the basics of being a difficult bitch, from school to friends to body to life.

Packed with introspective questions and gorgeous, un-retouched photographs that display the bodies of real, everyday women aimed at teaching young women that every body is beautiful and happiness comes in all shapes and sizes.

An unapologetic guide to help you embrace radical body positivity. You'll identify and challenge mainstream beliefs about beauty and bodies; celebrate what makes you unique and powerful; and build real, lasting body empowerment. You'll also learn how to spot diet culture and smash your noisy inner critic so you can start loving your body. It's time to create your own definition of beautiful, and recognize that your body is amazing. It's time for a self-love revolution!

Transgender author Kate Bornstein provides guidance for suicidal teenagers, relating personal emotional struggles; discussing bullies, identity, and freedom; and describing 101 activities teens can use to cope and keep themselves alive.