Thursday, January 29, 2009

Sue Scheff: Bullying, Obesity, Friendship, Family and Grumble Bluff


I just read the most lovely and educational book called Grumble Bluff by Karen Bessey Pease. This tale tells of two young girls in that difficult and awkward stage of tweens - one is overweight and one has a horrific and painful situation she is living with. Both are bullied and teased relentlessly. Even reading how some kids are so mean made me feel so sad and angry on the inside.


If you are a parent of a teen or tween - buy this book today - read it and have your child read it. You will feel warm inside at the end and then anxious for the second book. Kathy and Greta (characters) will become part of your family too - and what a great way to open lines of communication between you and your kids.


Synopsis:


Katherine Anne Kirby has a problem. In fact, she has more than one! She doesn’t seem to connect with her family. She is picked on and bullied every day at school. And if that’s not enough, Kathy is fat. All in all, Kathy is miserable, but there is one place in the world where she feels peace and freedom and contentment. Grumble Bluff, a deep forested ravine with a rushing stream flowing through, is Kathy’s private sanctuary– a place that she has never shared with anyone. Then comes the day when Kathy feels compelled to intercede for a girl named Greta, who is being picked on by the same kids who have made her own life a living nightmare, and she rescues Greta from her tormentors. From that day on the girls are inseparable, and Kathy realizes something– that she hasn’t had it so bad, all along. For her best friend is coping with a problem much bigger than anything Kathy has ever had to confront. Greta’s wonderful father is dying.


In the serenity of Grumble Bluff, the girls discover the power of their friendship; how to triumph over the tragedies of life, and how to laugh again.

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