Mayrock, a teenager speaking to teenagers about her own experiences as a victim of bullying, is a strong writer with an authentic voice. Peppered throughout the books are "roems" (rap poems) on notebook-style paper filled with doodles. This, coupled with important lines highlighted or written in blue, makes it really feel like something middle-schoolers would not only pick up but relate to. Mayrock's empowering chapters help identify bullying behavior, offer tips on finding help, encourage positive thinking and general self-acceptance, cover issues specific to cyberbullying, and provide targeted advice for imagined scenarios, all in a congenial, sunshiney tone. Mayrock includes a closing note thanking a therapist for reviewing the book, which lends it some much-needed credibility. Although some pieces of advice may be too saccharine for adults, the book should find its place on public and school library shelves, especially among readers convinced their parents "just don't get it." Hope and the optimism for a better tomorrow is on every page.

Gr 4-7 In this revised edition of a self-published title, Mayrock, a college freshman, draws on her own experiences as a victim of bullying in middle and high school in order to help other teens. Her first-person voice is conversational and encouraging, and she offers practical survival tips (verified by experts), such as the importance of asking for adult help. Only occasionally does the advice veer into platitudes (for instance, "a war isn't won overnight"). The format and design are occasionally distracting, but on the whole, each chapter is useful as a guide to stand-alone topics, such as coping with cyberbullying and handling fear, making this a good title for young adults to consult in a moment of need. Some of the practical advice includes letter writing (penning a letter to loved ones about bullying situations), accepting oneself, and embracing creativity. Mayrock clearly relied on these steps herself; her creativity can be seen through the poems interspersed throughout. Each relates to the topic of the given chapter and conveys the raw emotions and reality of bullying. VERDICT This slim guide will be a ready resource for young people. Ernie Cox, Prairie Creek Intermediate School, Cedar Rapids, IA