Jay Fung
“Come, and take choice of all my library. And so beguile thy sorrow…” – William Shakespeare, from Titus Andronicus
By Jay Fung
MCS Librarian
From the Bible to the Torah to Judy Blume, people have often sought solace inside the covers of a book. The use of literature to address a problem or an issue has a deep and long-lasting benefit for students of all ages. While doing some fact-finding for this blog article, I came across a phrase that was new to me – bibliotherapy. It struck me that this is what I do every day. I hand out books in the hope that it will help people learn something and/or just feel better. Throughout my life, books have been the perfect salve for whatever emotional hurt I might have felt, the inspiration for me to dream, and in so many cases, just the right answer for that tough question that was being asked of me.
Some recent events come to mind. The first is Manhattan Country School’s recent Martin Luther King Commemorative March produced and organized by the 8th graders (with significant help from English Teacher Tom Grattan.) In their speeches, students discussed and advocated for tolerance and more harmony among us. This week is No Name-Calling Week and MCS is engaged in activities throughout the school in support of this organization’s campaign. Using literature is such an effective way to combat bullying, encourage bystanders to take action, and support victims.
Books can be mirrors for our lives and the world in which we live. This is especially true for children. As children begin to see themselves represented in literature, they begin to see themselves as valuable and worthy of notice. Just as books can be reflective, they can also be windows, looking out to unknown vistas and new worlds. By being exposed to various cultures and people, children develop empathy and increased understanding to things that are both similar and different from their own experiences. Reading can also promote social action to fight injustice and to challenge inequity.
I have compiled yet another short-list of books dealing with bullying, name-calling, and/or teasing. (See Jay’s previous reading picks) While I wish that parents did not have to use these books for this purpose, I do hope they are helpful. Name-calling, bullying, and teasing can escalate into even more harmful behavior. I believe that the messages that are imbedded in these books can be the beginning of a conversation and a means to an end to the aforementioned issues. As always, please use the age groups as a guide, not as guidelines and if you have any questions, please feel free to drop by or e-mail me.
From infancy to 5 years:
Oliver Button Is Not A Sissy by Tomie DePaola
Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits
5 to 8 years:
Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco
William’s Doll by Charlotte Zolotow
My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin
Jake Drake, Bully Buster – Andrew Clements
8 to 12 years:
Max Quigley – Technically Not a Bully by James Roy
When Zachary Beaver Came to Town by Kimberly Willis Holt
Smile by Raina Telgemeister
The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
12 and up:
The Misfits by James Howe
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins, and Fenway Park by Steve Kluger
