Why Do Bullies Act That Way?

Following is from the wonderful web-site http://kidshealth.org Check it out, it has wonderful information and advice for kids, parents and teachers. 

"Some bullies are looking for attention. They might think bullying is a way to be popular or to get what they want. Most bullies are trying to make themselves feel more important. When they pick on someone else, it can make them feel big and powerful."

"Some bullies come from families where everyone is angry and shouting all the time. They may think that being angry, calling names, and pushing people around is a normal way to act. Some bullies are copying what they've seen someone else do. Some have been bullied themselves."

"Sometimes bullies know that what they are doing or saying hurts other people. But other bullies may not really know how hurtful their actions can be. Most bullies don't understand or care about the feelings of others"

"Bullies often pick on someone they think they can have power over. They might pick on kids who get upset easily or who have trouble sticking up for themselves. Getting a big reaction out of someone can make bullies feel like they have the power they want. Sometimes bullies pick on someone who is smarter than they are or different from them in some way. Sometimes bullies just pick on a kid for no reason at all."

Bully and Victum Trapped Together!

Calbert and Ernie enter the storage room.  The door closes behind them.  Suddenly, the fire alarm starts blaring and the boys realize they are trapped in the storage room, as the school burns around them.  There is only one way out, though a small window high in the room.  Ernie lifts Calbert up and pushes him out through the window.  As Calbert runs from the burning building, Ernie wonders if the boy, he has mistreated so badly, will continue to run to safety or will he come back to get me?

Calbert: The Third-Grade Cowboy (Facing the Bully)

Through the Eyes of a Child!

This story is told through the eyes of a third grader named Calbert.  He must face Ernie everyday at school.  Until the day comes when a teacher, not knowing about the relationship between the two boys, sends them on an errand to the storage room.  Calbert: The-Third Grade Cowboy (Facing the Bully)

How would you Feel?

How would you feel if the boy you bullied, day in and day out, would untimely decide if you would live or die?  Calbert: The Third-Grade Cowboy (Facing the Bully)

FEAR sets in for CALBERT as his Bully appears!

“Hey, look there!”  I say as some bad guys come into view from the cornfield.  I sink lower in the tree so that the outlaws can’t see me.  I pull my pistol from its holster, and bang bang bang, I got him.  He won’t be bothering anybody anymore.

Hey, Jason and Ethan are making a fort. “Wait a minute.  I’m coming over to play with you.”  Jason loves to build teepees and shelters.  He is two years older than I am and knows all about those kinds of things.  “Hey, Jason, do you remember the time we made an oven outside using a rock?  I hope we get to do that again.  It was so cool!”

“Sure, but next time, we are going to

have to wash the rock off first.  The dirt made them a little crunchy from the last time.”  Jason laughs.

Jason is being too bossy and Ethan keeps tearing down my part of the fort.  “I’m not playing with you guys anymore.”  I tell Jason.

“Go ahead ‘Shorty’.”  Jason replies

“My legs may be short, but I can run faster than you,” I tell Jason.  The new shoes got last weekend make me even faster.

There go our two dogs barking again, I wonder what they are after this time.  Maybe they have cornered an animal, or just maybe something is going on I need to take care of with my six-shooters.  “Nolan, Star!”  I yell as I start walking toward the dogs.

I am almost at the gate when I see the very familiar red bike coming toward the house.  It’s Ernie.  I think he is the meanest kid in the third grade. My stomach’s starting to get that funny feeling I always get whenever he is around.  My heart is racing, and my hands are beginning to sweat.  I wonder what he is doing at my house.  But I feel brave because Ernie never picks on me when

my Mom is around.  She's one of the teachers at our school.

          Slowly, I begin walking up to the gate. In my loudest, toughest voice, I shout, “Who’s there?”  The kid doesn’t answer me.  I can’t see Ernie’s face very well, but I am pretty sure that is his bike.  The rider on the bike has on a light-blue jacket with the hood up over his head.  I can’t remember ever seeing Ernie with a light-blue jacket.

“What do you want?”  I ask in my toughest cowboy voice.  “Why did you come to my house?”  But this time, I say it under my breath so he can’t hear.

A Cowboys Work is Never Done...Chapter 1

         “Bang bang bang!”  I shout.  I pull my six-shooters out of my holster and dart around the corner to my older brother’s bedroom.  “Take that!”  I say, pointing my pistol at imaginary bad guys.”  Jason yells at me, “Get lost, kid!”

“Kid!  Who are you calling a kid?  I am Calbert, the toughest cowboy in the Third

grade,”   yell back at him.  “Even my name    means ‘cowboy,’ so there.”

 I move into the kitchen.  You never know what kind of outlaw may have stopped in for a bite.  Especially if they had fresh baked chocolate chip cookies on their minds.  “Bang bang bang!”  I shoot again, only to find my little brother staring back at me.  He's the real “kid” around here.  Ethan is two years younger than I am and very annoying.

Ethan just looks at me and says, “Calbert, Calbert, Calbert, will you play with me?”

“If you'll play cowboys,” I say.

“No way,” Ethan replies and then hops out of the kitchen.

I sure don’t know what Mom was thinking when she adopted Ethan along with Jason and me.  We have always been brothers, but this was our chance to get rid of him—wish we could give him back!  Actually, I do kind of like him, but I’m not going tell him that!

 “Yay, it's Saturday,” I yell as I run outside.  My teacher likes me, and I have lots of friends, but there is this one kid that likes to pick on me sometimes. On Saturdays, I don’t have to worry about Ernie at all, just about having fun.

I love to play “shoot ’em up” games like cowboy games.  My black cowboy hat fits me just perfectly, except for the flat part on top. Thanks a lot, Ethan!

Why does Ernie Bully Calbert?

Calbert wonders why he is Ernie’s favorite victim at school. He learns from Roland, his trusted friend that Ernie’s dad died a couple of years ago, and Chuck, his step dad doesn’t really like him mostly because Ernie  looks like his real dad, and he has the same name as him. It makes Chuck jealous of Ernie’s dad. Sometimes he gets really mad at Ernie for no reason. He doesn’t have any true friends except for Munch, his pet dog.

The Bully

Calbert: The Third--Grade Cowboy  tells the story of an average school boy named Calbert who is fond of playing a cowboy with his buddy Roland during the weekends but is afraid to go to school during weekdays because he always must find a way to face down Ernie, the certified school bully. Ernie makes life unbearable for Calbert in many ways, but he especially enjoys picking on him for being an adopted child. He always makes fun of Calbert for being adopted and says that neither Calbert’s birth mom nor his adoptive mom wanted him and his brothers.

Calbert vs. The Bully!

Thought-provoking and entertaining as well, Calbert: The Third-Grade Cowboy tackles a timely and serious subject of school bullying to which parents of children and children themselves can actually relate with. Go and grab this arresting read!

Calbert: The Third-Grade Cowboy: Facing the Bully

 Buy the Book

Back to School Time!

Time has come for my boys to be enrolled in school and for all of us to venture out for school supplies.  The boys are very excited, however all I see is $$ flying out the door.  We are all excited and hopeful for the new year.  I am a teacher at my kids school, so playing the teacher/parent roles are sometimes tricky.  Now comes the time for all students to start heading back to school, this includes bullies and would be bullies.  It's the time of year kids that are being bullied are afraid to go back to school.  School bullying is a problem, no matter where you liver or where you are from, someone in your life is facing bullying in some form.  Be close to your kids, watch for changes that might indicate they are having a problem with a bully.  Have wonderful start to the new school year!

Great Fun!

Just finished, what I would consider, a good showing at my book signing.  I love talking with and meeting people, so this was right up my alley!  Pulled in about $100, not a bunch, but $100 more than I had when I left home!  And that is after the bookstore took their cut.  Slowly but surely, this ship will be launched!

Book Signing Today!

I will be signing books at City Center News and Books today from 5:30-7:30pm Eastern time.  The signing will be held in downtown Plymouth, IN.   I will be signing both Calbert: The Third-Grade Cowboy...Facing the Bully and Lawn-Mower Chronicles.  Calbert must work with Ernie, the school bully, in order to survive being trapped in a fire.  Calbert must face his bully and get past being bullied.  It becomes a matter of life and death.  Ernie likes to pick on Calbert for being adopted, this seems to be Ernie's favorite way to torment Calbert.

Calbert faces the Bully!

Bullying is a very serious and important subject.  But how can we teach adults and children to face these bullies?  Whether they are work place bullies or school bullies, the resulting heartache is the same.  See how Calbert chooses to face down his bully.  In Calbert: The Third-Grade Cowboy...Facing the Bully!

What Better Way to Start the Morning?

My 4 year old started the day off by singing to me, a new song he had made up.  With voice high pitched and arms waving, with both enjoyed every minute of it!

CBS Looks at Bullying in School

Bullying in school is a very serious problem.  Everyone must take a stand against bullying.  Calbert: The Third-Grade Cowboy...Facing the Bully is a must read for Grandparents, parents and children.  This book gives insight to a child being bullied and the bully himself.   Click the link below to see the CBS news piece on bullying in school. 
http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18563_162-6363045.html

Book Signing in July!

Book Signing scheduled for July 13, 2012!  City Center News and Books, 114 N. Michigan St
Plymouth, IN 46563 (5:30-7:30) Very exciting!!

The Bully

In Calbert: The Third-Grade Cowboy...Facing the Bully, we look into what makes Ernie the bully.  Ernie likes to bully Calbert around for being adopted.  Ernie is the biggest bully in school.  But what really makes him want to bully Calbert?  What are the reasons Ernie likes to bully Calbert at school? This is a must read for parents, grandparents and kids, who are concerned with bullying.

Heading to Arkansas

The boys and I are taking a much needed vacation for a week or so.  Big stuff planned for my little guys, they are so excited.  I have a thing or two up my sleeve as well.  Looking forward to some time away.  See you all when we get back!  Happy Reading!

In The News

The Plymouth Pilot did a nice article about my book.  I would like to share it with you.
http://www.thepilotnews.com/content/elementary-teacher-publishes-book-bullying

Book Signing Scheduled!

Book Signing July 13, 2012!  City Center News and Books 114 N. Michigan St, Plymouth, IN 46563 (5:30-7:30)!