KINDNESS: My Trip to the 2013 Youth Writing Festival at Calvin College
Thursday, April 25th, 2013 Posted in In the Classroom, School Visits, Uncategorized, bullying | No Comments »I just returned from a wonderful, two-night trip to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where I was invited (by Gary Schmidt!) to participate in the 2013 Youth Writing Festival at Calvin College. At one point it looked exactly like this: As my Nation of ...
One Reason Why I Titled the Book “Bystander”
Thursday, February 28th, 2013 Posted in Around the Web, Bystander, bullying | 2 Comments »Fan Mail #166: Lessons Learned, Messages Sent (and a Complaint about The Berenstain Bears)
Sunday, February 24th, 2013 Posted in Bystander, Fan Mail, Uncategorized, bullying | No Comments »Here's one I had to think about a little bit, then pause, and reconsider, and pause again. Dear Mr.Preller: We are 7th graders at _______ Middle School. We have recently read your book Bystander, and have learned some valuable lessons about ...
Comments Section, re: BYSTANDER (a couple of highlights)
Wednesday, June 27th, 2012 Posted in Bystander, bullying | 1 Comment »Oftentimes folks comment on past blog entries, no longer the current thread. So my sense is that My Nation of Readers does not ever see these comments. And how sad is that? So here's two from today that I had to share. ...
“BYSTANDER” Made VOYA’s Suggested Summer Reading List
Friday, June 8th, 2012 Posted in Around the Web, Bystander, bullying | 7 Comments »My editor said, "Here's to many more lists recommending Bystander." My agent said, "Huzzah!" And I chanted, "Show me the money, show me the money, show me . . ." I mean, er, "Well, goodness, this is certainly an honor." Click here for the ...
Are Students Sick & Tired of Anti-Bullying Messages? And What About You?
Tuesday, May 22nd, 2012 Posted in Bystander, School Visits, bullying | 1 Comment »I'll admit it. Sometimes I have doubts. Not about bullying, exactly -- I know it's a serious issue, a matter of life and death -- but I fret about the effectiveness of talking about it. You could call it an occupational ...
Behind Every Harassed Child . . .
Tuesday, April 3rd, 2012 Posted in Around the Web, Bystander, bullying | No Comments »New York Times film critic A.O. Scott wrote a sensitive, perceptive review (3/29) of the new film, "Bully," a much buzzed-about documentary by Lee Hirsch. It's worth reading in full. But here's a paragraph to wet your whistle: The feeling of aloneness ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #143-146: Some Recent Letters from Teachers about BYSTANDER
Thursday, March 22nd, 2012 Posted in Bystander, Fan Mail, School Visits, bullying | 1 Comment »I've been getting a lot of mail from teachers who are using Bystander in their classrooms. From early on, that was my hope for this book -- a talking book, a valuable conversation starter in the hands of a good ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #141 (Bystander)
Sunday, March 4th, 2012 Posted in Bystander, Fan Mail, bullying | 1 Comment »There's a great line in the last paragraph of this letter: "I really hope you keep writing books because I will keep reading them as long as they are as good as this one." He didn't add, because it was unnecessary, ...
Fan Mail Wednesday #139 (Bystander, Again)
Monday, February 27th, 2012 Posted in Bystander, Fan Mail, bullying | No Comments »I'm forwarding this out from the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, NJ, on my 5th day of my 9-day barnstorming mission. So far, so great. Gotta run! There's no point sharing my reply here. I just tried to be gracious ...