Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Today I have L.B. Schulman to talk with us about Bullying.
My newly-released young adult novel, League of Strays,
discusses bullying on many different levels. When I wrote it, I wanted to
describe more than just the impact of bullying on everyday students. I wanted
to look at the anger that victims may develop toward their oppressors. To that
end, I created five members of the League of Strays who all felt wronged on
differing levels. One of their own members is the biggest bully of all. Kade is
sociopath, and having no conscience, coupled with finely-tuned manipulation
skills, he convinces the others to seek revenge on a grand level.
The thing about bullying is, it does more than make
someone’s self-esteem take a nosedive. It can make its victims furious. Unfortunately,
for some kids, revenge is the next logical step.
Sometimes critics tell me that League of Strays couldn't happen or that my main character should have run away from the sociopathic
leader of the group, I respectfully want to remind them of the tragic event at
Columbine High School, where two teenagers marched into their school in April,
1999 and murdered 13 people and injured 24 others. Those kids were unpopular
and frequently bullied, and their response was to fight back with a massacre.
Dylan Klebold felt uncomfortable with the philosophy of revenge at times, but his
psychopathic friend and plan leader, Eric Harris, convinced him to go down a
terrible path.
Rage is a powerful force. When we help kids with bullying
issues, I believe we should always address the possible anger of the victims.
Feeling helpless is the worst emotion ever, in my opinion, and it can make a
person feel like a wild, caged animal, perhaps desperate enough to attack for
escape. Most of us won’t decide on a killing spree, thankfully. But it’s a
reason all schools should embrace Bullying Prevention Month and implement no-tolerance,
disciplinarian actions toward bullies, and a supportive and helpful approach
for its victims. No one is truly helpless, but in the thick of pain, kids can’t
always figure that out for themselves.
If you don't win the giveaway for League of Strays, you can purchase the book here: Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Book Passage
RULES:
Open to US & UK Only * Winner must respond within 48 hours*
*Please note, all giveaways will be shipped out at the end of the month.*
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
About Me
Find Me.
Network!
 |  |
 |  |
Follow with GFC
Follow by Email
Grab My Button
Search
Blog Tour: PLAYING HOOKY
August 12th - August 16th
Blog Tour: Just Between Us
September 17th - 30th
Grab My Tour Button
Currently Reading
To read pile
Favorite Quotes
Goodreads 2013 Challenge
Follow by LINKY
Follow this blog with bloglovin
Page Views
Blog Archive
Uniquely Moi Books
Evie's Bookish Designs
Good Choice Reading
Bookish Comforts
NetGalley Member
YA Book Blog Directory
I'm a Southern Book Blogger.
Book Blogs Member
Book Blogger Directory
11 comments:
Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Looks like a great book. Thanks.
Wow! This sounds both powerful and intense! Looking forward to reading it.
Very cool. Sounds very good.
I agree. All schools should embrace the Anti-Bullying campaign! Thanks for the giveaway!
League of Strays sounds like a powerful and timely book! I'd also like to see all schools employ an anti-bullying campaign. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway! <3
Mary DeBorde M.A.D.
League of Strays sounds really good! Thanks so much for the chance to win!
This books looks great and I've heard a lot about it! Thanks for the chance to win!
Sounds like a great read
Thanks for the interview!
Hope I win, sounds great!
Post a Comment