Review of Bullying: I may bend but I won't break

Post by **Julie Gebrosky** » 13 Mar 2023, 20:07

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Bullying: I may bend but I won't break" by Barbara J. Patterson.]

3 out of 5 stars

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Most people experience a form of bullying at some point in their lives. This story is about twins named Will and Lou. They experience bullying at school, and they turn to their faith in Jesus Christ to "zap" the bullying. The book also includes the story of a duck who reacts to wind and rain. These natural forces appear to be metaphors for bullying behaviors as well. How do Will, Lou, and the duck respond? Check out Bullying: I may bend but I won't break by Barbara J. Patterson to find out.

This book gives a few tips on how to deal with bullies. I like how it gave specific phrases that could be good comebacks for bullying remarks. It would help kids to know exactly what to say in those instances.

A significant portion of the book was about baptism and Jesus’s crucifixion. I get that the author is arguing that Jesus helps zap the bullies, but it did feel like the book was half about bullying and the other half was about trying to educate the reader about Jesus’s life. Also, some of the suggestions seemed great, but others didn't seem like they would be very effective. For example, one of the suggestions was to quack at the bullies after they bully you. While it would certainly be unexpected and may surprise the bully, it could also give the bully more ammunition. The bully may start quacking at the target of the bullying to make fun of that reaction instead of backing down.

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. I like the message about stopping bullying and most of the suggestions. I also like how it is biblically based, but I don’t like how a significant portion of the book is simply retelling scripture instead of relating it back to bullying. It felt like I read three separate stories: the story of Will and Lou, the story of the duck, and the story of Jesus. There wasn’t enough of a connection between each part of the book. It also contained some minor editing errors.

This book is suitable for kids who are being bullied at school and aren’t sure what to do about it. This book is also for Christians or people who are open to Christianity because a significant portion of the book is religious in nature. Read Bullying: I may bend but I won't break by Barbara J. Patterson for a Christian take on stopping bullies.

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Bullying: I may bend but I won't break
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Ignesta Ignetius · Post by **Ignesta Ignetius** » 15 Mar 2023, 06:24

Bullies are scared people who take out their frustrations on others instead of learning how to deal with them, and kids most especially, face bullying in schools and neighbourhoods at some point in their lives. It's good to see a book that helps kids figure out how to handle bullies. Great review

Post by **Hazel Mae Bagarinao** » 15 Mar 2023, 21:01

Bullying can affect one physiological aspect of a child. It must be stopped. Bullies are problematic people who just want to give problems to others as well. It might be hard to avoid or stop them but the recipient must be strong enough to handle and ask for comfort from others. Your review is awesome!

Post by **Julie Gebrosky** » 15 Mar 2023, 21:38

Hazel Mae Bagarinao wrote: ↑15 Mar 2023, 21:01 Bullying can affect one physiological aspect of a child. It must be stopped. Bullies are problematic people who just want to give problems to others as well. It might be hard to avoid or stop them but the recipient must be strong enough to handle and ask for comfort from others. Your review is awesome!

Thank you for your kind words!

Post by **Julie Gebrosky** » 15 Mar 2023, 21:39

Ignesta Ignetius wrote: ↑15 Mar 2023, 06:24 Bullies are scared people who take out their frustrations on others instead of learning how to deal with them, and kids most especially, face bullying in schools and neighbourhoods at some point in their lives. It's good to see a book that helps kids figure out how to handle bullies. Great review

Absolutely! Thanks!