Dare

Written by: Erin Frankel

Illustrated by: Paula Heaphy

Reading Level: Grades 2-3

Interest level: Ages 5-9

Theme: Standing up for one self and others. 

Summary:

Jayla feels threatened by her classmate Sam, who has bullied her in the past.  Sam is now bullying Jayla’s friend Luisa, and she enlists Jayla to participate. Jalya reluctantly joins in but soon realizes it is wrong. With the help of caring adults and friends, Jayla comes to sympathize with Luisa and finds the courage to dare to stand up to Sam and put an end to the bullying.

Pre-Reading Activity:

Ask students to think of a time when they saw someone being bullied. What did you do? What could you have done differently if you didn't help? Have them draw a picture of helping a friend being bullied.

Post-Reading Activity:

Complete a graphic organizer listing all the ways to help a person being bullied. Some ideas are: tell an adult, stand up with them, get other friends to help, tell them to stand up for themselves. Use the graphic organizer to write an essay of how to stand up to a bully. 

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:

I strongly feel this book, along with the other 2 in this series would benefit every classroom. It does a great job of bringing out the issues and reasons for bullying. It explores these characters and the feelings in depth. Also, it tells the way in which to deal with the problem, giving students the skills to end bullying.