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FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Ever since she was a baby, the words people use to describe Elyse have instantly appeared on her arms and legs. At first it was just ""cute"" and ""adorable,"" but as she's gotten older and kids have gotten meaner, words like ""loser"" and ""pathetic"" appear, and those words bubble up and itch. Now she's starting middle school, and just when her friends who used to accept and protect her are drifting away, she receives an anonymous note saying ""I know who you are, and I know what you're dealing with. I want to help."" As Elyse works to solve the mystery of who is sending her these notes, she also finds new ways to accept who she is and to become her best self.

Title: Sticks & Stones

Author: Abby Cooper

Genre: Children's Fiction

Age Range: 5-8 years

Synopsis: In the world of Sticks & Stones, words can hurt and words can heal. Young readers will learn how to use their words wisely and how to cope with the pain of hurtful words.

Review: Sticks & Stones is a powerful and moving story that tackles the tough topic of bullying. With its simple yet effective use of language, the book teaches children how to stand up to bullies and how to heal from the wounds that their words can cause. This is a must-read for all children, regardless of their age or background.

Topics covered: Bullying, hurtful words, coping with pain, friendship, resilience

Activities:

• Have children write a story about a time when they were bullied or when they saw someone else being bullied.
• Have children create a poster that promotes kindness and discourages bullying.
• Have children role-play different scenarios in which they are confronted with hurtful words.

Additional resources:

• The National Bullying Prevention Center: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/
• The American Psychological Association: https://www.apa.org/topics/bullying/
• The National Education Association: https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/bullying-prevention-starts-early