The 7 Day Bully-Buster is a comforting and engaging read. It treats the experience and effects of bullying seriously, but it also offers an enthusiastic look at what those being bullied can do on a daily basis. By presenting a seven-day guide, it illustrates the empowerment of self-help by presenting clearly defined activities and strategies.
The isolation and fear that bullying can cause is deeply damaging to a young person's self-esteem and confidence and can leave them feeling their problems are insurmountable and will never end. However, this book takes bullying by the scruff of the neck and shows that by using case studies and insightful approaches it can be stopped. The risks and benefits guide is a particularly useful aspect of Monday's guide to bully-busting. Assessing and weighing up a course of action is critical for victims of bullying to understand that they have choices. But The 7 Day Bully-Buster offers more than just self-help - it's a mentoring manual providing strategies that can be shared with peers.
I had all sorts of prejudices and bugbears about these types of books. Yet I was charmed and cajoled and, in the end, I couldn't help but feel positive about the pace and rhythm of the writing. By Sunday's bully-busting schedule, I wanted to cheer.
Taking back control through knowledge and experience is crucial for children and young people. That's why, as a self-help manual, this book works. It's about choices, recognising boundaries, setting achievable goals, being in control, self-fulfilment and engaging with peers in more positive ways.
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