Ann
Neville has produced a valuable resource for anyone with an interest in
bullying. Her books: Batjack, a children’s/young adult novel; and its two
non-fiction companion books: How to Stop being Bullied – a Kids’ Guide, and How
to Bully-Proof your Child – a Parents’ Guide have already met with a very
positive response from educators, child-care specialists and mental health
providers.
Batjack
is the story of thirteen year old Tom who is suffering from the unwanted
attention of school bully Dylan. When Tom and his friends decide enough is
enough, they devise a plan to stop being victims and reclaim their lives.
Batjack is well-written – an amusing, easy read with fun characters and an
engaging plot. The important message and the implementation of the
anti-bullying tools (directly taken from the non-fiction volumes) are in no way
heavy handed and add to, rather than detract from, the story. This is not just
a book for children who are being bullied, or whose friends are being targeted,
but for all children who enjoy a good story. A Resource Kit for Teachers aimed
at L3 and 4 of the New Zealand Curriculum is available to go with Batjack.
The
non-fiction volumes include looking at what bullying is, how and why it
happens, what victims can do to help themselves and what others can do, and
also how to help the bullies. There is a lot of common sense and good advice,
some of which is from young people so should speak directly to victims and
potential victims. Like the novel, these books are straightforward, easy to use
and understand, and very readable.
Each book is useful alone. Together
they form an excellent resource. A highly recommended addition to homes,
schools and institution libraries.
Belinda Mellor.
About the Author :
Ann Neville has a M Ed, Dip Ed Management, Dip Ed Ldsp and Grad Dip Creative Writing.
Her book ‘Violence...not in our school’ was made possible through a Scholarship and
Graduate Study Award from the University of Waikato. The novel Batjack was short-listed for the Tom Fitzgibbon Award.
Footnote:
A Teachers’ Resource Kit for Batjack is now available and relates to Level 3 and
4 aspects of The New Zealand Curriculum.
These books are published by CP Books, part of The Copy Press, Nelson.
Batjack - rrp $15.95. The two guides are $12.95 each
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