No writer is better poised to explore this territory than Emily Bazelon, who has established herself as a leading voice on the social and legal aspects of teenage drama. In Sticks and Stones, she brings readers on a deeply researched, clear-eyed journey into the ever-shifting landscape of teenage meanness and its sometimes devastating consequences. The result is an indispensable book that takes us from school cafeterias to courtrooms to the offices of Facebook, the website where so much teenage life, good and bad, now unfolds.

Along the way, Bazelon defines what bullying is and, just as important, what it is not. She explores when intervention is essential and when kids should be given the freedom to fend for themselves. She also dispels persistent myths: that girls bully more than boys, that online and in-person bullying are entirely distinct, that bullying is a common cause of suicide, and that harsh criminal penalties are an effective deterrent. Above all, she believes that to deal with the problem, we must first understand it.

Blending keen journalistic and narrative skills, Bazelon explores different facets of bullying through the stories of three young people who found themselves caught in the thick of it. Thirteen-year-old Monique endured months of harassment and exclusion before her mother finally pulled her out of school. Jacob was threatened and physically attacked over his sexuality in eighth grade—and then sued to protect himself and change the culture of his school. Flannery was one of six teens who faced criminal charges after a fellow student’s suicide was blamed on bullying and made international headlines. With grace and authority, Bazelon chronicles how these kids’ predicaments escalated, to no one’s benefit, into community-wide wars. Cutting through the noise, misinformation, and sensationalism, she takes us into schools that have succeeded in reducing bullying and examines their successful strategies. The result is a groundbreaking book that will help parents, educators, and teens themselves better understand what kids are going through today and what can be done to help them through it.

There was the first Open House at Random House.  We received a couple of books.

I am excited to read this.  I have never read one of Anna Quindlen’s books before.  She talked during one of the sessions. She was very interesting.  She caught my attention.  I am now interested in reading her fiction books also.

This one is for my granddaughter.

There were a few other sessions and time to meet other readers and bloggers.  We also had the opportunity to make contacts at Random House.

Kristin from Kritters Ramblings, and I also went to the New York City Library.  If you love books, it is an awesome place to see.

This tree was inside the foyer of the library.  The marble is beautiful.

What better place to be then a building with a million books!  We actually want to visit it again.

We hope you are having a wonderful Christmas day with your family.  We are enjoying our family.  One of our treasures is having both our girls and their families close by.   Going to the White House with Kristin and her husband was a lot of fun!

 This is the China room.  It is really beautiful.

 This is Kristin and I outside the library room.  Kristin and I love books, so we thought this would be an appropriate place for us to have a picture taken.

This is a fruit tree – starting with yellow fruit, then green, then read.

This is the coolest bubble tree.

This is the gingerbread house this year.  Bo is on the left and Santa is on the roof.

This tree has ornaments from all the past First Ladies.

We took a couple of pictures outside.

 After outside, we saw where they are getting ready for the inauguration.

 I hope all these pictures add to your Christmas day!

If you need another way to get in the Christmas mood – New York City has plenty to offer!

 The tree and the skating just put you in mood to celebrate.

We were walking around looking at all the windows.  It was so much.

My daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings, and I are huge book fans.  When we found a window with a library inside we had to have a picture of it and a picture of us in front of it.

The next day we walked through central park.

Then we went to the Empire State Building.

 View from the top of the Empire State Building.

Five years ago, Caroline, a dedicated pathologist, reluctantly adopted a baby to please her husband. She prayed her misgivings would disappear; instead, she’s questioning whether she’s cut out for the role of wife and mother.

Five years ago, Juliette considered her life ideal: she had a solid marriage, two beautiful young sons, and a thriving business. Then she discovered Nathan’s affair. He promised he’d never stray again, and she trusted him.

But when Juliette intercepts a letter to her husband from Tia that contains pictures of a child with a deep resemblance to her husband, her world crumbles once more. How could Nathan deny his daughter? And if he’s kept this a secret from her, what else is he hiding? Desperate for the truth, Juliette goes in search of the little girl. And before long, the three women and Nathan are on a collision course with consequences that none of them could have predicted.

Riveting and arresting, The Comfort of Lies explores the collateral damage of infidelity and the dark, private struggles many of us experience but rarely reveal.

This is my first It’s Monday, What are you reading? .  Let me know if you are reading of like any of the same books.  My daughter Kristin of Kritters Ramblings is always encouraging and teaching me more about blogging.  Thanks again Kristin!







A meme hosted by Sheila at BookJourney. 

Goodnight, Brian by Steven Manchester                      

Currently Reading:

The Promise of Stardust by Priscille Sibley

This is my daughter Jennifer at Grounded Coffee shop in Alexandria, Va.  She is selling her scarves and other gifts at the craft show.

My daughters Kristin of Kritters Ramblings 
and Jennifer of The Underestimated Mom
and I went to Georgetown to get our books signed!  We waited in line, in the cold for two hours.  Worth it!!  They were amazing and we had fun!

We were not to far from the Georgetown Cupcakes, so after the signing we had to go get a few.

We all loved this place and will be finding a reason to go back to Georgetown, so we can eat here again!!

My daughter Jennifer of The Underestimated Mom knows how much I love book marks.  So for my birthday she bought me two.

On August 24th I wrote a blog about Kristyn’s book How Lucky You Are.  It was such a great read. The fact that, Kristyn took the time to email me and link her website to my blog, made me really want to meet her. When I found out she was going to be at the Barnes and Noble in Reston, VA. – I made plans with my daughter Jennifer of The Underestimated Mom to go see her.  Kristyn made me feel like I was meeting up with an old friend.