Tough!

   
 Written by: Erin Frankel

Illustrated by: Paula Heaphy

Reading Levels: Grades 2-3

Interest Levels: Ages 5-9

Themes: Friendship, Kindness

Summary:

Sam is concerned about keeping things under control at school. She thinks people need to have a tough skin in order to fit in and get along with others. Sam teases her classmate Luisa and enlists a friend, Jayla, to help. But when Sam is confronted by a concerned teacher about her bullying, and Jayla turns on Sam and befriends Luisa, Sam begins to show some heart and rethink her treatment of others. 

PreReading Activity:

Look at the cover, ask the students to talk about the expressions on the characters faces. Does Sam, the one in the hood look nice or mean? What about the kids jump roping? The seem to be having fun. How about the one holding the rope? What could her expression mean? What do you think this book will be about?

PostReading Activity:

How did Sam change from the beginning of the book to the end? Why was she being mean in the beginning? Write some ideas about how you can be nicer to your classmates. Make a list of ways to be kind to others in your community.

About the Author:

Erin Frankel has an M.A. in English education and is passionate about teaching and writing. She taught ESL in Alabama before her recent move to Madrid, Spain, with her husband and three daughters. Erin knows firsthand what it feels like to be bullied, and she hopes her stories will help bring smiles back to children who have been involved in bullying. In her free time, Erin loves hiking in the Spanish mountains and kayaking in her hometown of Mays Landing, New Jersey.

Reflection:

This book, along with Weird! and Brave!, is a wonderful book that will be an asset to any classroom. This series discusses the issue of bullying in a clear and thoughtful way any child could relate to.