Plus a Tommy Nelson Mommy giveaway!
So while I loved So Not Okay, the first book in Nancy Rue’s Mean Girl Makeover series, I must admit I enjoyed book 2, You Can’t Sit With Us
When I was younger, my mom used to read me a story by Max Lucado about the Wemmicks, these little wooden people who went around sticking stars and dots on each other. Stars were like a pat on the back, a thumbs up, applause. Dots were like boos from the audience, an egg in the face, a big fat “F”. Seems weird, but really how far fetched is this scenario from how kids (and, sadly, adults) treat each other everyday?
We all put labels on others, and ourselves, whether we realize it or not. Nerd. Freak. Ugly. Fat. What matters is what we do with those labels. We can choose to let them define who we are, or, like Ginger Hollingberry in You Can’t Sit With Us, we can rip them off and throw them away.
“I am mistress of my own tongue, not yours.” ~ Ginger Hollingberry, You Can’t Sit With Us.
About You Can’t Sit With Us…
Click the picture to look inside this book
Ginger Hollingberry is no stranger to bullying. She’s only in sixth grade, but she’s been a target most of her life. When Those Girls (aka the mean girls at Ginger’s school) choose to take their bullying behind the scenes, Ginger can’t even go home without fearing harassment. Will she continue to be the doormat Those Girls love to stomp on, or will Ginger finally stand up for truth and accept who she is despite what others think?
Why I recommend You Can’t Sit With Us…
A) It’s exactly the kind of book tweens need. Bullying isn’t limited to school hallways and bathrooms anymore. In this day and age, the internet has allowed bullies to take their tricks to a whole new level (aka cyber space). I love You Can’t Sit With Us because it’s relevant. The story is fun and entertaining with relatable characters, but it also has that little extra umph. I’m a mom and just reading Ginger’s story made me feel empowered. We can do something about bullying, and we can help our kids prepare for situations like the one Ginger finds herself in. Bullies don’t have to win. I think You Can’t Sit With Us will really encourage tweens to stand against bullying, on and off the school campus.
B) The message isn’t preachy. Nancy Rue definitely has a purpose for these mean girl makeover books. It’s obvious she is taking a stand against bullying, and she wants others to do the same. BUT, she writes this series in a way that doesn’t make you feel like you’re being told what to do or how to do it. Tweens and parents alike can learn from these books, yes, but more importantly, the Mean Girl Makeover books will get them excited about anti-bullying. I love the different steps to standing against bullies Nancy wrote about in So Not Okay, and You Can’t Sit With Us has even more including “the stone face” and coming up with “a one-line, assertive response”. These books show tweens how to stand up for themselves without getting physical, and not only that, but how to take the power away from the bullies so, hopefully, they’ll give up. If the bully sees he or she has lost power over the victim, they probably won’t see any point in continuing.
C) Nancy Rue has a stellar, middle-grade voice. These books really have an authentic “tweeness” (yes, I just made up that word) to them. I don’t feel like I’m reading a book by an adult for tweens. It just feels like being inside a sixth grade girl’s head, which again goes back to how relatable this series is. I so cannot wait for book 3, Sorry I’m Not Sorry
The Giveaway…
It’s the first giveaway of 2015! Can I get a woohoo? I love having the blessed opportunity to share Thomas Nelson resources with you all. Let’s hear it for Tommy Nelson Mommy!
What’s the one thing you would teach your child to say if they’re ever a victim of bullying?
Tell me in a comment below and you’ll be entered to win a copy of You Can’t Sit With Us. Don’t forget to record your entry via the Rafflecopter, where you can earn even more entries by connecting with me and Tommy Nelson on social media. The giveaway will run through Saturday, January 31st. One random winner will be chosen and announced in my February Newsletter, so be sure to enter your email in the form below.
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I love hearing from you! Tweet to me @SaraEllaWrites. Until then, happy reading!
Disclosure:
I received a copy of You Can’t Sit With Us
Copyright © 2015 SaraElla.com
We have told our son, who is now in 9th grade to tell bullies, “You don’t know me. I am not what you say. Stop picking on me and my best friend . You don’t know what it is to have a true friendship. Stop treating people this way, then maybe you will get some good friends who respect you for who you are.” Our son has had his best friend since kindergarten. They are always together. His Junior High peers thought he was in a “relationship” with his best friend, who is a boy, just because they hung out together. And of course, their voices were still changing! Standing up to the bullies helped him to gain respect from his peers.
We have a daughter, Lydia, that will be ten in February. She has struggled with dyslexia and is gluten intolerant, which is hard to explain to her peers, especially for birthdays. Lydia is full of spunk, but sometimes is too quick to speak and gets in trouble. Her teacher called me before Christmas break to share with me that Lydia stood up for herself when another student kept “bugging” her. Lydia simply turned to the other student and said, “What you are doing is bothering and upsetting me and I want you to stop. If you will not stop, I will talk to the teacher.” I think Lydia would really enjoy these books.
What an excellent, well thought out response, Susie! Thank so much for sharing! Sounds like your son is standing strong! And good job, Lydia! I wish I had that spunk and courage at that age:) Good luck in the giveaway!
Just go and talk to an adult and get their perspective and help.
Great advice, Diane! I think one thing kids should know is that it’s always safe to talk to someone in charge, no matter what the bullies say.