Customer Reviews

Say Something

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I only wish I had read this when I was in elementary school, then maybe I would have had the guts to stand up and say something to the bullies. (Also, it would have been a great resource for my parents when I was subsequently bullied myself.)
My son is only 17 months old, but I intend to make sure he has the courage to say "That's not cool!" when someone is being picked on. Thank you, Peggy Moss!

I read this book with my two children, and they immediately responded to it. They've since become "Say Something" believers and have carried the practice with them to school. They also insisted we buy extra copies for their school library so other kids could read it. A terrific book.

Say Something is an exceptionally meaningful book that artfully allows the reader to grow in step with the main character. Through the eyes and voice of a "bystander" to bullying, we learn: (1) everybody is vulnerable to teasing/bullying; and (2) when we witness wrongdoing, we can and must take action. This book offers the material needed to launch important discussions at school and at home.

Peggy Moss's first book is a short, sweet, smart look into the everyday world of a school-aged girl who 'says nothing' when she sees children being bullied, she merely notes it. When it happens to her, she learns a lesson. It's obvious to readers that, of course, we should speak up or speak to someone being bullied, but how many of us do? And how many of us, like this young girl, have been bullied ourselves? With wavery watercolor illustrations by Lea Lyon, of a diverse student population, Moss's book reminds us to be kind, to be present, to be aware that others exist and deserve inclusion. It's an obvious message, but one that is overlooked too often. The writing is simple in the best sense. Children will learn from this book, and hopefully will keep it in their hearts.

In my school, of course, teasing and bullying are against school rules but some people do it anyway. If the teasing stops within 30 seconds they were probobly just joking. If it dosen't stop I try to get the kids interested in something else. For me that has always worked but in the future I might just have to stand up for other kids rights. So what this book is saying is, don't just stand there or walk away, be part of the solution! Like the title says, Say Something!

Rebeccasreads highly recommends SAY SOMETHING as an important picture book with something to say!

It's one thing to notice how your schoolmates get along, which ones are always alone, & who is always teased. It's quite another thing to be on the receiving end. So what do you do? Do you do anything?

SAY SOMETHING urges you, in scene after scene, to become aware, to test your courage, to step forward & do unto others as you would have them do unto you, especially when teasers & taunters are looking for a bit of put-down fun.

Say Something portrays an enormous message with a minimum number of words. As I read it to my class of 3rd graders, their response was immediate and powerful. They identified with the characters on many levels, and for the first few pages, thought that being a silent, "innocent" bystander WAS the right thing to do. As the story went on, their faces and comments demonstrated that they had reached the realization that they had the power to help. Months later, they still talk about the concepts introduced to them in the story. When we discuss problems at Class Meeting, it's not unusual to hear, "We have to look out for each other. Nobody wants to be a bystander!"

This book should be read to every child and by every adult in the nation. It manages to celebrate and promote decency and compassion, all without a hint of preachiness.

Peggy Moss has written a powerful book which still brings tears to my eyes when I read it aloud. This book reminds us that we have the power to say something about what is going on around us. Thank you Peggy!

As a retired classroom teacher, I have read many books to classes over the years. This book stands out as one of the best, both for it's message, it's illustrations, and writing style. I now use the book in the anti-viollence program that I teach in schools.

The story sends a powerful message to children (and adults) about taking action to change injustices that we see. There are times when we notice things that are unfair or mean, but we believe that we are doing enough to feel sorry for those who are the brunt of such unkindnesses. The story clearly demonstrates the importance of moving beyond feeling sympathy to feeling empathy. We must speak up for others and do something that makes a difference.

The ending provides the students with provocative food for thought to initiate a reflective discussion. This book is suitable for 2nd through 6th graders, and even beyond!