Status
Available
Collections
Publication
Adams Media (2003), Edition: English Language, 288 pages
Description
While other kids were daydreaming about dances, first kisses, and college, Jodee Blanco was just trying to figure out how to get from homeroom to study hall without being taunted or spit upon as she walked through the halls. This powerful, unforgettable memoir chronicles how one child was shunned -- and even physically abused -- by her classmates from elementary school through high school. It is an unflinching look at what it means to be the outcast, how even the most loving parents can get it all wrong, why schools are often unable to prevent disaster, and how bullying has been misunderstood and mishandled by the mental health community. You will be shocked, moved, and ultimately inspired by this harrowing tale of survival against insurmountable odds. This vivid story will open your eyes to the harsh realities and long-term consequences of bullying -- and how all of us can make a difference in the lives of teens today.… (more)
Subjects
Original publication date
2010-07-18
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User reviews
LibraryThing member kewpie
I was so excited when I saw this book on the shelf. I was badly bullied in school. I had a very similar background to Jodee. I am about her age, and at the time, school adminostrators ignored bullying or tried to blame the victim. My parents also moved me from school to school but that only made
I REALLY wanted to like this book. I However, Jodee turned out to be one of the least sympathetic victims I've ever read about. While she whined and complained about how much people hated her, she was EXTREMELY critical of others. She is unapologetic in describing some of her fellow unpopular collegues in the most unflattering ugly ways. I found her descriptions of students with disabilities to be condescending and insulting.
Because I was a victim of serious bullying growing up, I don't want to say that one should blame the victim.. but as an adult, I can see where my poor social skills and self absorption led to my being a target for bullies. I'm not saying that it justified their actions, but my actions did have an effect on people around me. Jodee seems to have had no revelations as an adult. She tells the story through the eyes of a hurt 12 year old. I saw no healing or self realization at all.
And I was disappointed by the ending. She sounded like a desperate little kid imagining her high school reuinion. "Woo. I am so important and I know all these celebrities... PLEASE LOVE ME, CHEERLEADERS!!"
Worst. Book. Ever.
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matters worse. I was also physically and mentally abused. I was also socially isolated in schools for most of my growing up.I REALLY wanted to like this book. I However, Jodee turned out to be one of the least sympathetic victims I've ever read about. While she whined and complained about how much people hated her, she was EXTREMELY critical of others. She is unapologetic in describing some of her fellow unpopular collegues in the most unflattering ugly ways. I found her descriptions of students with disabilities to be condescending and insulting.
Because I was a victim of serious bullying growing up, I don't want to say that one should blame the victim.. but as an adult, I can see where my poor social skills and self absorption led to my being a target for bullies. I'm not saying that it justified their actions, but my actions did have an effect on people around me. Jodee seems to have had no revelations as an adult. She tells the story through the eyes of a hurt 12 year old. I saw no healing or self realization at all.
And I was disappointed by the ending. She sounded like a desperate little kid imagining her high school reuinion. "Woo. I am so important and I know all these celebrities... PLEASE LOVE ME, CHEERLEADERS!!"
Worst. Book. Ever.
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LibraryThing member SqueakyChu
Bullying is seen from inside out in Jodee Blanco’s book of school-age memoirs, from her elementary school years through her high school graduation. By revealing what it felt like to be the subject of bullies who both verbally and physically abused her over the years, she reveals an often dark and
Truthfully, I was appalled by the content this book. Maybe this is the behavior of schoolchildren now, but I don’t remember such physical assaults on taunted kids from my own period of youth. Perhaps I was in a more protected environment or perhaps I was oblivious to it. I do remember the loneliness of being “left out”. However, what was described in this book was even crueler than simply just being “left out”.
At first, I thought not to read the book as it seemed written and directed to a younger readership. However, I decided to finish this book because I felt the subject was important, the writing style was engaging, and I’d wanted to know more about the subject of bullying.
What I took from this book was a warning for parents, teachers, and fellow students to be aggressive in the fight against bullying. Too often, it leaves scars that have a major negative impact on individual lives. People who think that much of themselves and who denigrate others should never be allowed that much power.
The ending of this book was disappointing. Instead of the author talking about available resources, she simply makes a two-page list. In addition, she goes to her school reunions and actually seems to make light of what was done to her as that, as they say, “is history”. My question is why no one was held liable for their despicable actions either at the time they occurred or even years later? Everyone, years later, seemed as if those cruel actions by individual children simply faded away with the present time and adulthood.
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hidden side of childhood. Hoping to expose this issue to parents and teachers, she is also providing a forum for those who suffer from this issue as well as those who torment others to finally be frank. At the end of her own story, Blanco provides a resource list for those who either want to learn more or share their stories.Truthfully, I was appalled by the content this book. Maybe this is the behavior of schoolchildren now, but I don’t remember such physical assaults on taunted kids from my own period of youth. Perhaps I was in a more protected environment or perhaps I was oblivious to it. I do remember the loneliness of being “left out”. However, what was described in this book was even crueler than simply just being “left out”.
At first, I thought not to read the book as it seemed written and directed to a younger readership. However, I decided to finish this book because I felt the subject was important, the writing style was engaging, and I’d wanted to know more about the subject of bullying.
What I took from this book was a warning for parents, teachers, and fellow students to be aggressive in the fight against bullying. Too often, it leaves scars that have a major negative impact on individual lives. People who think that much of themselves and who denigrate others should never be allowed that much power.
The ending of this book was disappointing. Instead of the author talking about available resources, she simply makes a two-page list. In addition, she goes to her school reunions and actually seems to make light of what was done to her as that, as they say, “is history”. My question is why no one was held liable for their despicable actions either at the time they occurred or even years later? Everyone, years later, seemed as if those cruel actions by individual children simply faded away with the present time and adulthood.
Show Less
LibraryThing member 3RiversLibrary
This is a book that every parent, grandparent, and educator should read. It made me re-think all the advice I gave my children. Jodee Blanco was a victim of bullying throughout most of her school years. It all began when she attended her first boy-girl party with her other twelve-year-old friends.
Jodee begged her parents not to say anything, knowing that would only make things worse. They respected her wishes for awhile but as the bullying accelerated, they decided to talk to the principal of her school. He was cooperative, but Jodee was even more miserable when kids found out that she had “ratted them out.” She finally agreed to change schools, not once but twice. No matter how hard she tried, her intelligence and sense of justice got her in trouble every time. She lost weight, was depressed, and couldn’t eat. Her parents believed that she must be doing something wrong, so they took her to a therapist. As Jodee observed in her book, the victim was blamed while the perpetrators got the sympathy. Even a teacher started harassing her. What’s wrong with this picture?
If you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, bully, or victim and have only enough time to read one book, please make it this one. You won’t regret it.
Reviewed by Sherry, Three Rivers Public Library
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The parents were home, so everything was well-chaperoned, right? Wrong. They were upstairs and the party was in the basement recreation room with the door locked. The kids were playing games that most of us didn’t play until high school, and when they began to pair off, Jodee got scared and called her mother to come get her. This is exactly what I told my kids to do in this situation. Her mother insisted on talking to the mother in charge. Also what I would have done. And this was the beginning of Jodee’s miserable school experience. Her friends were furious with her. She had gotten them grounded. Instead of one of the “in” crowd, she became a pariah. The bullying took the form of pranks, verbal abuse, and physical abuse.Jodee begged her parents not to say anything, knowing that would only make things worse. They respected her wishes for awhile but as the bullying accelerated, they decided to talk to the principal of her school. He was cooperative, but Jodee was even more miserable when kids found out that she had “ratted them out.” She finally agreed to change schools, not once but twice. No matter how hard she tried, her intelligence and sense of justice got her in trouble every time. She lost weight, was depressed, and couldn’t eat. Her parents believed that she must be doing something wrong, so they took her to a therapist. As Jodee observed in her book, the victim was blamed while the perpetrators got the sympathy. Even a teacher started harassing her. What’s wrong with this picture?
If you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, bully, or victim and have only enough time to read one book, please make it this one. You won’t regret it.
Reviewed by Sherry, Three Rivers Public Library
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LibraryThing member EmThomas
Coming from the perspective of one of those "loners" in school, I never truly was bullied. I got along with almost everyone, save for the couple of girls in high school who had a crush on my boyfriend and tried, unsuccessfully, to scare me off. My husband, who I met years later, was viciously
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picked on in school, however, and he picked up this book for us to read. Our daughter said she had already seen the movie in her school at some point [she's in 4th grade]. I guess I wanted more from this book. I appreciated hearing the author's perspective about how she felt and even I could imagine the pain and loneliness and devastation she must have felt when her parents forced her into seeing a psychiatrist. I was left feeling very dissatisfied that there really and truly was no help except for time and distance, and in the end she still wanted the acceptance of her tormentors. I am just not made that way, and perhaps she is better for it. I described the ending to my husband, who doesn't have much time to devote to reading, and even he was baffled by the ending. I understand civility and "kill them with kindness," but I certainly would not have chosen to continue to try to fit into their group and pretend all is forgiven. It wouldn't be holding a grudge, but rather lesson learned and time better spent elsewhere. Different strokes for different folks, though! Show Less
LibraryThing member rmostman
A grown womans recount of her school years from junior high to highs school. It was an eery retelling of some horrific and traumatizing experiences. She was a victim of cruel people because she stood up for what was right. And once they battered her for it, she was still relentless, more convictive
I saw her speak at my junior high 4 years ago, and tears streamed down my face. This is such a necessary book for everyone, and anyone who is suffering from bullying even in the slightest. It shows that it is worth it.
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even. Such courage at such a young age is incredible and amazing. Most adults would not have done what she had done just for what it was, and never for what the consequences were. Such an admirable young lady at the time, and even more so of an admirable woman today.I saw her speak at my junior high 4 years ago, and tears streamed down my face. This is such a necessary book for everyone, and anyone who is suffering from bullying even in the slightest. It shows that it is worth it.
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LibraryThing member DSDragon
Having been teased at school, I can relate to Ms. Blanco's experiences, though only a little. My experiences were nowhere near as severe as Ms. Blanco's. I hope reading this book will get adults to do more to stop bullies from their cruelty, and that it will also give hope to those who are victims
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of bullying. Show Less
LibraryThing member chibimajo
Moving autobiography about a woman who was tormented and bullied throughout her school years because she had morals when the other kids didn't. I don't remember my school days being anywhere near as bad as hers, but I get the impression this is still going on. Because she stood up for what she
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believed in, and refused to back down about right and wrong, students and teachers turned against her. Show Less
LibraryThing member fingerpost
Jodee Blanco's heart rending memoir of growing up the butt of everyone's jokes. Somehow she overcame it all to become a success as an adult. The book is sad, and all too real.
LibraryThing member finnigan22
Jodee Blanco wants to be like every other teenagers but she gets bulllied, herrased, made fun of, and other miserable things. So Jodee tries differnet things such as going to a doctor who specilizes in problems like hers.
LibraryThing member meggyweg
I don't see what was so "inspirational" about Please Stop Laughing at Me. Mainly it was one long whine about how the author was bullied throughout her school years. I'm a survivor of severe bullying myself and her stories rang true, but Jodee Blanco's so-called "insights" rang hollow. She might as
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well have just said, "I got treated horribly in school, but I'm a stronger, happier person now" instead of having to stretch that one sentence into 276 pages. She also promised to provide answers to the bullying problem and resources for victims of bullying, and didn't adequately deliver on either of those either. Show Less
LibraryThing member GonsalvesJ13
In the story Please Stop Laughing at me a woman is telling stories of her difficult childhood. She tells this story in an interesting way. She starts the story with her introducing herself as an adult sitting in her car scared to go into a High School reunion. She then goes into detail about why
I would recommend this book because it is real stories of a person’s hardships that are inspiring. It gives the message to never give up even when things look bad. It is a great book for girls or boys and is something a lot of people might be able to relate to in some ways or another.
-Juliana Gonsalves
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she is scared and there the story begins. She Tells how until she was in 6th grade everyone liked her and she fit in perfectly. She started to have problems with friends when she started helping children with special needs for fun. Even her best friend ignored her after she found out. After that she is constantly being beat up in school and is teased until the end of High School. Near the end of the story she felt like no one would ever like her until she started dating and older man named Andre. He breaks up with her because she is too young for him but they remain good friends. After all she went through with the horrible ways she was treated she ended up a beautiful woman with a get career. She ends the story saying that she finally worked up the courage to go in and face all the people that had hurt her so badly as a child. To her surprise everyone was extremely happy that she could make it and no one remembered being mean to her. I would recommend this book because it is real stories of a person’s hardships that are inspiring. It gives the message to never give up even when things look bad. It is a great book for girls or boys and is something a lot of people might be able to relate to in some ways or another.
-Juliana Gonsalves
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LibraryThing member wwjules
This was a really interesting story. I went through some "being picked on" in school, although never to the extent that Jodee was. It was difficult to read, but reminded me of how difficult youth can be. As a teacher, I try to remember what that was like, and stories like Jodee's remind me to pay
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more attention. Show Less
LibraryThing member RhondaMarie
This is an inspirational book on how resilient the human spirit is. Students need to understand that bulling affects the victims for years to come. As a person who was bullied in school, I felt a connection to her because I have felt the same way. I had a good family and a stable life but the
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bullies made me question my self-worth. Every teacher needs to read this and make sure no bulling happens in their class. When it does, they need to address the issue without pointing fingers. Show Less
LibraryThing member MarthaJeanne
Kind of sad, actually. The bullies convinced her that being accepted by the 'cool' crowd was all that really matters in life. She still believes that. They won.
LibraryThing member InDreamsAwake
This should be required reading for all parents. You get to see what it feels like to be bullied from a kid's perspective, and you get to see in retrospect the mistakes the parents made. The narrator broke my heart, yet I'm inspired by her ability to turn tragedy into inspiration.
LibraryThing member Laurie.Schultz
This is an amazing true story of a girl who is bullied through middle school and early high school. This book should be mandatory reading, it's that good.
LibraryThing member AleashaKachel
A memoir chronicling the school years of author Jodee Blanco as she endured endless bulling at the hands of her classmates. Blanco recounts instances of bullying and reflects upon them now that she is an adult. I was surprised at just how cruel and relentless her classmates were as they went from
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name calling to threats and even physical abuse. This book is recommended for grade 10-12 students who are concerned about bullying. Show Less
LibraryThing member engpunk77
It was a quick read and the writing was average but the message was important. The amount of mistakes made by everyone that contributed to the author's horrific experiences being bullied prompted me to ponder what can be done by parents and teachers to prevent similar situations. I'm really not
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sure! There were no real solutions proposed.Most of the time I told myself that bullying to this extreme (the violence) just doesn't happen anymore. I hope that's true! I can't imagine any of my students going through this!
I have to say, though, that the ending was irritating and unrealistic.
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LibraryThing member cataryna
In this day and age when bullying has been such a prominent issue in the news I feel like this book should be required reading for all teenagers, parents and educators. I don't think there is anyone alive who has not experienced some form of bullying, teasing or simply following the pack because
The ending - my first thought was "That's it? She's just going to forgive them for the hell they put her through? WTH!" My second thought and in the end what I feel is the right thought - Rather than being vindictive and hateful to those who hurt her...she rose above that reaction and proved that they didn't break her, which itself is her vindication.
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their afraid of being teased (like so many of the perpetrators in this book did). We all could learn something from this novel. Those who have been or are being teased can maybe find some strength from it. Those who are the bullies might see what it was like to be on the receiving end. The ending - my first thought was "That's it? She's just going to forgive them for the hell they put her through? WTH!" My second thought and in the end what I feel is the right thought - Rather than being vindictive and hateful to those who hurt her...she rose above that reaction and proved that they didn't break her, which itself is her vindication.
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LibraryThing member homeschoolmimzi
This was a terrible book. I saw it at the grocery store and thought the cover looked interesting.. But the book itself was shallow, dishonest and lacking in depth. The author writes about being bullied at every school she went to. She portrays herself as a a good do-be, while bragging about her
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intelligence and accomplishments, and expressing bewilderment as to why she is being picked on. Well, maybe it has something to do w/her bragging and arrogance. Her self pitying , whining, condescending tone is annoying, and you come to disbelieve what she says pretty fast. I have no idea why the title states it is 'inspirational' Definitely a waste of time to read. Pass on this one. Show Less