Words Wound: Delete Cyberbullying and Make Kindness Go Viral
Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D, and Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., Authors
Free Spirit Publishing, Nonfiction, Dec. 3, 2013
Suitable for Ages: 13-17
Themes: Cyberbullying, Bullying, Computer crimes, Internet and teenagers, Prevention, Kindness
Publisher Synopsis: Cyberbullying among teens happens every day. Vicious messages and damaging photos exchanged through texts, email, and social media can lead to humiliation, broken friendships, punishment at school, and–as recent headlines prove–legal prosecution and even suicide. Faced with this pandemic problem, concerned parents, educators, and young people across the country are looking for information and advice. Words Wound is written especially for tweens and teens on the importance of standing up for themselves and others online.
Why I like this book: Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D., and Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., are cyberbullying experts who have written a practical and valuable handbook for teens. Both authors know from personal experience what it feels like to be bullied at school. They have researched and talked with thousands of teens at schools, libraries and youth centers about their experiences with bullying. They’ve spoken with parents who have lost children to suicide. Words Wound is very easy to use. It is divided into three parts all supported with real-life stories and strategies for preventing, reducing and combatting cyberbulling at school. Teens are taught ways to be kind, respectful and stand up for friends. And, they are encouraged to be advocates for change in their schools and communities. What I like about this user-friendly guide is you can choose the chapters that interest you, or you can read it from beginning to end. It is a “must-have companion” for any kid with social media access. This book is a valuable resource for parents, educators and administrators. The authors wrote the book because they“know what a school without bullying looks like.” They have visited many schools across the country that are bully free because of students and educators working together.
Resources: The authors run the Cyberbullying Research Center and have designed a website, Words Wound, specifically for teens. It is a place where teens can go to keep up with the conversation, ask questions, express worries, share thoughts, ideas, and strategies about what has worked for them personally and in their schools. The authors want to hear from you. They want teens and young adults to join the national discussion to make schools a safe place.
Children's Books Heal 
Sounds great, Pat. I hope those who need it get to read it.
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This is a very important book for teens, parents and educators.
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Great for kids and also for parents. Sadly, many parents don’t know how to help because they can’t understand what’s happening. This will give them a heads up. Nice choice.
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Yes, I was very impressed with the commitment of the authors to help teens help themselves and support friends. Love their the website and interest in encouraging a national discussion.
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Great issue and so relevant! Cyberbullying happens to all sorts of people, including myself at the end of last year. It is devastating, and I don’t think people realise just how easily it happens. And if we don’t all stand up for each other, it will continue to destroy children as well as grown-ups. Interestingly, some of the people who post banners saying they are anti-bullying do nothing to stop it or defend the bullied even when they see it going on.
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Yes, I think their book is very relevant! I know this book addresses children, but you’re right, it impacts everyone. So sorry it happened to you. I was very interested in the schools that the authors visited that tolerate zero bullying. So, it can happen if everyone works together. Thanks for sharing on twitter.
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Well, this sounds like a pretty important book for everyone. Thanks for putting it out there.
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Yes, it is an important book. I applaud the author’s efforts for all they are doing to help teens and advocate kindness in schools.
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Sounds like a great resource for the whole family! Thanks for sharing!
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It is a great resource for parents and kids to use together. Very easy to use with a lot of activity pages that encourage action.
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I’m glad to know this book exists. We parents face a real challenge teaching our kids to navigate forms of communication we did not experience ourselves. I like that the authors are open about having experienced cyber-bullying themselves–I think that will really speak to their teen audience.
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Karin, thank you for visiting. I’m glad you enjoyed my review of this important book. The authors are very interested in hearing from their readers so they can launch a national discussion on ending bullying in schools. They’ve visited schools that do not tolerate bullying.
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Pat, thanks so much for covering this topic on your blog. As Catherine noted above, I hope this books does reach those who need it most.
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Robin, this is a great book for teens to have, especially if they are using social media. I hope the book reaches the right kids and that there is a collaborative movement in the future.
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What a very relevant resource for our society today. Thanks for finding an reviewing this, Pat.
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I thought you might like this book! It’s a great resource. And, thanks for tweeting! Want to spread the word about this book.
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I need to get this! Cyberbullying is a very important topic. I think a lot of kids get bullied this way.
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With your leadership skills, I think it would be a great book for you to share with friends and classmates at school. It really is a wonderful resource.
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