Cover of Just Kidding

Just Kidding

A rare look at emotional bullying among boys from the best-selling author of My Secret Bully.D.J.'s friend Vince has a habit of teasing D.J. and then saying, Just kidding!" as if it will make everything okay. It doesn't, but D.J. is afraid that if he protests, his friends will think he can't take a joke. With the help of his father, brother, and an understanding teacher, D.J. progresses from feeling helpless to taking positive action, undermining the power of two seemingly harmless words. Trudy Ludwig takes another look at relational aggression, the use of relationships to manipulate and hurt others, this time from the boy's point of view.Back matter includes discussion questions, a "dos and don'ts of teasing" list, and a resource guide for parents and teachers.Endorsed by Full Esteem Ahead, The Hands & Words Are Not For Hurting Project, and The Ophelia Project.

Audience
childrenspicture books
Length
short · 32 pages

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it. Point at it (on a phone, tap it) for less of it instead.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

Liked Just Kidding? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked Just Kidding. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Weird! Shares bullying, picture books, childrens
  2. Don't Laugh at Me (Reading Rainbow books) Shares bullying, picture books, childrens
  3. The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others Shares bullying, picture books, childrens
  4. Nobody Knew What to Do: A Story about Bullying Shares bullying, picture books, childrens

“People who read Just Kidding tend to reach for these next.”

  1. A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue: Helping Kids Learn the Difference Between Tattling and Telling
  2. Oliver Button Is a Sissy
  3. Follow That Map!: A First Book of Mapping Skills
  4. How to Lose All Your Friends

“If you want more of the same (literary fiction about bullying), start with these.”

  1. Say Something
  2. Dare!
  3. The Bully Blockers Club
  4. Stop Picking on Me!

“If it was the bullying that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. Nobody!: A Story About Overcoming Bullying in Schools
  2. Tough!
  3. King of the Playground
  4. Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns about Bullies

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. You Can't Sit with Us: An Honest Look at Bullying from the Victim
  2. Stickboy
  3. The Tibetan Art of Positive Thinking: Skillful Thought for Successful Living
  4. Heart Transplant