DESCRIPTION
A moving and realistic story about bullyingIn this poignant story, a girl finds it funny when her classmate starts blushing on the school playground. Her friends laugh along with her, but one student takes the teasing too far. Torn between her sympathy for her classmate and her fear of the bully, the girl must make a difficult choice.
This heartfelt book will inspire readers to find the courage to take a stance against bullying and show compassion towards others.
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AWARDS and RECOGNITIONS
USBBY 2015 Outstanding International Book
Notable Books for a Global Society 2016
CCBC Choices 2016
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People 2016
REVIEWS
Booklist (STARRED review)
"From the proliferation of red throughout this book, we know visually it has strong emotional content, and the cover, with a dispirited boy being gawked at by others, adds to its impact. . . . While the text is sparse (and in red), as the teasing builds to a crescendo, the distinctive pencil, charcoal, ink, acrylic, and collage art dramatically shows events spin out of control. . . . [A] thoughtful, accessible story."
Publishers Weekly
"A useful opening into discussions about taking a stand when others do wrong."
Kirkus Reviews
"The beguiling artwork and pulsing heart at the story's center provide much food-for-thought — not to mention an opportunity for children to put themselves into the shoes of the bystander of a cruel act, which surely happens on playgrounds more than adults would care to admit. Thoughtful and beautifully illustrated, it's definitely one to look for."
Children's Illustration (blog)
"An elegant story about the bravery of everyday life on the playground."
Jen Robinson's Book Page
"Red will be validating for young readers in early elementary school. It would make a fine classroom read aloud. . . . De Kinder's illustrations are simply gorgeous."
Children's Literature
"This story brings all-too-familiar situations to young readers and opens spaces for important conversations."