Book Description

"Bullying is a term that's being, well, bullied. It's been rendered essentially powerless by being constantly kicked around," writes nationally recognized bullying expert Elizabeth Kandel Englander. In this practical and insightful book, Englander dispels pervasive myths and misconceptions about peer cruelty, bullying, and cyberbullying. Drawing on her own and others' research, she shows how educators can flag problematic behaviors and frame effective responses. Englander puts a special focus on "gateway" behaviors--those subtle actions that, unchecked, can quickly escalate into more serious misbehavior--and explores how students perceive their own and their peers' behavior. Written in an accessible, conversational tone and informed by careful research, this timely book is an essential guide for educators. Key takeaways include the impact of technology on social behavior, a framework for responding effectively to bullies--including innovative ideas about the role of social peers--and suggestions for working with parents. "Elizabeth Englander has written an essential book about bullying that every educator--and any parent thinking about how schools should handle this issue--should read. It's full of wisdom, practical advice, and original research, all of which reflect Englander's status as one of the foremost experts in the field." -- Emily Bazelon, author of Sticks and Stones: Defeating the Culture of Bullying and Rediscovering the Power of Character and Empathy "This much-needed book presents effective ideas and techniques based on the experiences of real children and teens. I recommend it highly." -- Stan Davis, author of Schools Where Everyone Belongs, and codirector, Youth Voice Project "Dr. Englander has effectively combined insight derived from research with her experiences working directly with schools to produce a book that provides a quality resource for educational leaders and policy makers. This book is a welcome contribution to the field." -- Nancy Willard, director, Embrace Civility in the Digital Age Elizabeth Kandel Englander is a professor of psychology and the founder and director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University, which delivers anti-violence and anti-bullying programs, resources, and research for the state of Massachusetts.