Monday, October 21, 2013

Cyber Bullying - A 21st Century Dilemma

Headlines: Half of teens 15 to 18 bullied someone in the last year!
It's almost hard to believe the data.  First of all, who would admit to being a bully? According to this headline, is anybody safe in our high schools?  Like a lot of articles, the headlines can be a little deceiving.  Many of us will admit that we didn't treat someone as nice as we should have, or we have been made to feel inadequate by someone else. That doesn't make a bully. Many of those same people are outstanding citizens. The problem comes with the definition of what a bully truly is. According to Stopbullying.gov:

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems

Monday, October 14, 2013

I Am Number Four - This year's series for young readers

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore:  How about another exciting science fiction thriller series where all of your main characters have supper powers, and must overcome tremendous odds in order to stay alive, save the planet against some of the most ruthless beasts imaginable, and salvage relationships with potential allies and each other?  That sounds like a lot, but it is not unlike some of the most popular young adult series' on the shelves today.  Hunger Games by Susanne Collins, The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Maximum Ride by James Patterson, and Dust Lands by Moira Young all share similarities in plot details. Earth may be in a post apocalyptic condition, environmentally or socially destroyed, with rogue governments seeking to rule or destroy it, but these teen characters are given the gifts needed to overcome all evil, and perhaps promise a future of peace and tranquility.