YA Review: The Survival Guide to Bullying

The Survival Guide to Bullying by Aija Mayrock, June 30, 2015. 160 pages. Published by Scholastic. Source: Rockstar Reads.

Written by a teenager who was bullied throughout middle school and high school, this kid-friendly book offers a fresh and relatable perspective on bullying. Along the way, the author offers guidance as well as different strategies that helped her get through even the toughest of days.

The Survival Guide to Bullying covers everything from cyber bullying to how to deal with fear and how to create the life you dream of having. From inspiring "roems" (rap poems), survival tips, personal stories, and quick quizzes, this book will light the way to a brighter future. This updated edition also features new, never-before-seen content including a chapter about how to talk to parents, an epilogue, and an exclusive Q&A with the author.

First Sentence:

One day in 3rd grade, a girl came to visit our school.

I feel that review needs a preface about me, the reader, so, enjoy. First off, I personally have never experienced bullying of any kind. I like to think that the main reason for that is that I was home-schooled and never was put in that situation even though I would have always been "the new girl" since my dad served in the military.

That being said, I thought The Survival Guide to Bullying was good because even though she had been through such difficult times you could see how strong Aija was. After reading her story and what she went through, I must say that I find her to be quite strong because she saw the effects of bullying and wanted to help those suffering as well. If being able to make good out of the bad does not make one strong and brave, than I'm afraid that the word no longer means what it should.

One of the reasons I found The Survival Guide to Bullying to be a good resource is that you can tell the author, Aija Mayrock, really cares deeply for those struggling with any kind of bullying.

Writing-wise- While some of the 'roems' made me somewhat sad, I enjoyed being able to see her resilience that shined through the words she wrote. On a whole, I would say that this book is very hopeful. Hopeful in that no matter how bad things are there's always a way for things to get better.
 
Even though I believe The Survival Guide to Bullying is a good resource for those in the situation of being bullied. I really think it would be a good resource for parents so that they may better be able to see/understand what their child is going through and to help them through it. Definitely a great resource for kids and adults to open dialogue on a tough subject.

Final Verdict: The Survival Guide to Bullying- Personally, I think it's a great resource to open up dialogue between children and their parents as to what they're going through. As well, as a book that can help navigate someone through the tough stages of bullying.

The Survival Guide to Bullying earns

About the author:

Aija Mayrock is a 19-year-old girl who experienced bullying firsthand. Instead of letting her experiences break her down, she channeled her positive energy into writing and self-publishing The Survival Guide to Bullying, where she shares the strategies that helped her survive and thrive. Aija writes about how to handle bullying, cyber bullying, dealing with fear, personal safety, and ultimately creating the life that you dream of having. Aija is also an accomplished screenwriter. Her film Diego received a Silver Key from Scholastic’s Art and Writing Awards. Visit Aija online at www.aijamayrock.com

You can haunt Aija at-
Website | Goodreads | FB | Twitter | Instagram | Tumblr | Youtube |

this book was received in consideration for a review. All thoughts are my own.