Please Stop Laughing at Us . . .: One Survivor's Extraordinary Quest to Prevent School Bullying (Paperback)

by Jodee Blanco (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
An entertainment industry publicist before becoming an antibullying crusader, Blanco (Please Stop Laughing at Me) was a victim of bullying from fifth grade through high school. For Blanco, bullying is a broad term-it's not "just the mean things you do, it's all the nice things you never do." For her, even the Columbine shootings were a result of students marginalized by bullying. She offers many stories of tearful children who have been the subject of abuse, and offers her own advice to thwart and/or deal with bullying, but in the end, she doesn't truly persuade readers that her remedies are effective. As an "Adult Survivor of Peer Abuse," her personal experience gives her all the insight she thinks she needs-it's only "clinical experts" who need theories and evidence ("there are clinical experts who might scoff at me for trying to give comfort and guidance"). She retells frequently the story of how she overcame-and forgave-her own bullies at her 20th high school reunion. Her former tormentors just seem to have decided to accept her after 20 years: a happy ending, but hardly a winning strategy for a troubled teen today. Blanco tells readers she has counseled countless students, victims and bullies alike, and while her stories are dramatic, neither the dialogue nor the instant results seem authentic. Readers looking for advice based on concrete fieldwork should turn to Wiseman's Queen Bees and Wannabes. (Mar.)
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From Booklist
Blanco bared her soul in her memoir, Please Stop Laughing at Me (2003), delving into the years of abuse she suffered as a teen at the hands of high-school bullies. Here, she chronicles her efforts as a youth advocate and public speaker. After her first book hits the New York Times best-seller list, Blanco finds herself in demand at schools who want to bring her in as a speaker to help them combat bullying. Blanco does more than give moving presentations at the schools she visits; she takes the time to meet with students, teachers, and parents one-on-one to give them advice on their individual situations. In addition to recounting her efforts at the schools she visits, Blanco also reveals the struggles she faces in her personal life: the toll of reliving her painful past, her newfound friendships with her former high-school tormentors, and her burgeoning relationship with a former classmate. Essential reading for teens, parents, and educators, Blanco’s second outing is as engaging as it is eye-opening. --Kristine Huntley

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Product Details

• Paperback: 472 pages
• Publisher: Benbella Books (March 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1933771291
• ISBN-13: 978-1933771298
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #314,161 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Story--Practical Advice Regarding Bullying, July 23, 2008

By	Karen Zemek "Author of 'My Funny Dad, Harry'" (Parma, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is her second book dealing with how she recovered from all the bullying and went to talk at schools around the country to help other kids who were being bullied and help the bullies to stop. Also addressed parents and teachers. Her advice includes telling the bullied kids to stand up for themselves in a nonviolent way, find friends outside of school even if it means going outside of their school district. Parents should not just send kid for counseling but go with them. Parents need to support their kids and let the kids talk about their problems. Try to come up with an action together that will help the situation. This book has a great message and offers practical help to both the bullied kids and their parents and teachers. It tells how the kids who used to pick on her in school are now her friends and she even married the most popular guy in school that all the girls liked which gives much hope to those going through the same thing. Great book!

I recommend this book for all teachers and anyone who is being bullied relentlessly to see there is hope.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Remarkable Woman, July 3, 2008

By	Gerard F. Zemek "Boston Fan" (Parma, Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I hated to see this book end. It was like talking to my new best friend. Finally, somebody got it right telling the story of being bullied. I admire Jodee. The work she is doing is so important! I just LOVED this book and hope you write another.

Be sure to read the emails and letters at the end of this book. They are sad, but good to know people now have someone to turn to--Jodee!

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great book!, February 22, 2008

By	Primo - See all my reviews

I love this book. It let me see that I was not the only person who ever got bullied. I think with all the school violence going on these days, this is really important because so often it is the people who are being bullied that act violently. Jodee Blanco really understands this and I think schools should let their students read. That way maybe there would be fewer of these incidents.