Nobody!

Thomas is being picked on by Kyle. Kyle is doing this several times on purpose and Thomas really wants him to stop because it is making him feel worthless, like a nobody. The story tells of some of the things that Kyle does and says to Thomas. Eventually, Thomas realises that he has supportive friends and adults, that he really does have his own talents and that he is somebody.

This is a great, well illustrated story, which could easily help children understand more about social interactions of this nature from different points of view. It helps to show that changing your own attitude, supported by others, can really alter how people behave towards you. It also shows that by being kind rather than bullying, had beneficial effects on Kyle’s life as well as on that of Thomas.

The book has lots of information after the story, helping children understand the different attitudes and actions of the characters in the story. It also has page by page guidance for adults, suggesting questions relating to the text that could be used to stimulate discussions and raise awareness of children. A great story to help change attitudes and behaviour, I have no hesitation in highly recommending - especially to parents and teachers to use with their children.

Thomas is dealing with Kyle's bullying at school. He doesn't understand why Kyle is bullying him or why Kyle won't just leave him alone. With help from his friends, classmates, and the adults around him, Thomas begins to gain confidence and believe in himself.

Children agreed on an anonymous 5/5 Stars.!

As a babysitter today I read this aloud to kids 5-8 years old and it was enjoyed thoroughly.

The kids favorite part and the main part they'd like to take away was "How to stand up for others" and "Not to bully people".

My favorite part as an instructor was the books ability to allow you to see the bullier, not as a monster, but as someone who needs help too. This book inspired the kids in my charge to ask to watch some small mockumentaries/reenactments on Youtube about bullying.

I also enjoyed the end of the book, showing each main characters view and offering you tips on being bullied, being the kid who is getting bullied's friend, being a bystander yet not just standing by, and being the bully themselves.

I also enjoyed the ending reflection questions for teachers/parents. These opened up an entire conversation not previously had, about bullying.

I will definitely be recommending this to parents/teachers and children.

Erin Frankel, has written a book that should be read by everyone who cares about kids and what they go through. This book is well written and helps people see that you need to be aware and see what is going on with the kids you are in charge of, who is doing what and why are they doing it. Too many time we see a bad kid and do not ask why are they acting that way.

Will you look at little Thomas's eyes?? I just want to hug that drawing, and though I know we're not supposed to judge a book by the cover, it was the cover that got me to read this book. The text is great -- will get to that -- but what absolutely make this book great are the richly detailed illustrations by Paula Heaphy. What looks like colored pencil sketches perfectly capture the emotions and expressions of the characters, which help readers experience for themselves the wide range of feelings going on. The scenes are realistic, and readers will relate to the settings that are shown in the book.

Happily, the text of this book is just as wonderfully done as the illustrations. Author Erin Frankel has provided a story that allows readers to see not only the perspective of the child being bullied, but also some insight into the bully himself, and even the actions/reactions of bystanders who witness bullying. Nobody! progresses in a way that establishes Thomas's parents, sister, and friends are aware of how Kyle treats Matthew, but that Thomas realizes he has some power in changing his own attitude to lead to different outcomes. This is a good introduction for kids to managing their own feelings and relationships and empathizing with how others feel. Hopefully, with the type of guidance, perspective, and talking points this book provides, kids will learn early on how to navigate bullies (including being one) and carry those lessons with them as they grow older. Bullying gets so much nastier as kids get older, so this is a semi-gentle way to start the dialogues at a young age.

I highly recommend this book, especially as a read along with an adult book, and think it's ideal for ages 7 to 9. The publisher recommends this book for ages 5-9, but I think that for little ones, there are too many words and some concepts are beyond their scope of understanding and it could be scary or confusing.

Thank you to Free Spirit Publishing and NetGalley for providing me an eBook copy in exchange for my honest review -- the only kind I give.

With Bullying being in the news regularly and dealing with issues in a school, I think this book would be a great tool to help in dealing with the problem.

Thomas feels like a Nobody because of the way Kyle treats him. He calls him names, tells him no one likes him, that he is a Nobody and physically hurts him. Thomas begins to believe that what Kyle says is true. He wants his friends to stick up for him and he does not understand why everyone worries about Kyle's feelings. Once Thonas starts thinking differently about what Kyle is saying, Nobody is like me, that is correct, he realizes that he is an individual with his own talents and interests. Friends and teachers start sticking up for Thomas and Kyle starts to change the way he treats him.

I love the examples, points of view and questions at the back of the book that would assist with a discussion about bullying. It is not easy to stop a bully, but this book would be able to help and empower the victims as well as the bystanders.