Words Will Never Hurt Me
By Sally Ogden

This excellent book was written by an experienced teacher and counselor who is currently employed in Jefferson County, Colorado. The author handles the questions:

• Why do some students spend their energies on bullying, teasing and harassing peers?
• What causes some students to become their targets?

Ogden explores such topics as: Jealousy, How not to respond to bullying, and Why are you a victim?

The book also gives advice for students and parents about breaking the cycle of cruel putdowns and how to handle toxic people and difficult situations. This book is an excellent, useable and practical guide for students, teachers and parents.

Nobody Left to Hate
Teaching Compassion after Columbine
By Elliot Aronson

Elliot Aronson, a social psychologist, cites the Columbine tragedy as an example of why the atmosphere of exclusion, bullying, and taunting that pervades our schools must be addressed. He offers strategies for teaching respect for the differences among students and promoting cooperation rather than competition. He shows how education is enhanced by an atmosphere of peace and respect.

Hate Hurts - How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice
By Caryl Stern La Rosa & Ellen Hofheimer Bettsman

How do children learn to hate people who are different from them? Hate Hurts explores how, at different ages, children perceive differences such as race, religion, culture, and abilities. The book considers why children respond with hate to fear of the unfamiliar, hurt, anger and ignorance. The book also looks at how parents influence the ways children respond to exclusion, physical violence, and hate. Hate Hurts is printed by Scholastic and sponsored by The Anti-Defamation League.

The Soul of Education
By Rachael Kessler

The Soul of Education takes a new look at our present day education and its spiritual emptiness. The author points out ways students from diverse backgrounds can be helped to find answers to their questions about meaning and purpose of life without transgressing individual spiritual beliefs and without violating separation of church and state. She gives guidance for teachers and other youth workers in helping students who are struggling to find constructive ways to find compassion, connection and to build character.

Stop Teaching Our Kids to Kill
A Call to Action Against TV Movie and Video Game Violence
by Lt. Col. Davis Grossman and Gloria De Gaetano

According to George Gerber of Temple University, this book presents "a timely analysis and urgent call to counter brutalizing effects of marketing media mayhem." As early as 1960 experts of media violence have warned consumers of it's dangers. This book emphasizes how the public, especially youth, have become desensitized to the effects of violence in the media. Media violence over stimulates and over stresses children's brains and they often cannot judge who the good guys are. The author gives sound, timely advice for parents on these difficult but highly relevant areas effecting our lives.

Trail Mix
Stories of Youth Overcoming Adversity
by Danielle Corriveau

Here’s a book to put on your summer reading list. “Trail Mix” is an outstanding collection of personal stories from youth who have had to face and overcome a variety of serious problems, ranging form abuse to leukemia. While reading the book, adults will gain insight, hope, and expertise in facing horrendous problems with their children. And, kids can gain courage in facing their own challenges.
The book also has an introduction by Olympic Gold medalist, Picabo Street and a variety of beautiful pictures from photographers John Corriveau, John Fielder and Padget McFeely.
The author will be reading from “Trail Mix” at the Tattered Cover in Cherry Creek on Friday, August 24th at 7:30 PM. Some of the youth highlighted in the book will be there as well.