Michael F. Shaughnessy
Senior Columnist EdNews.org
Eastern New Mexico University

Janet Heller is a Western Michigan University adjunct professor. Her book was recently selected as a Book Sense Pick, a monthly and seasonal selection of eclectic new books chosen by independent booksellers. Book Sense is a national marketing campaign on behalf of the independent bookstores of America. In this interview, she discusses her book, and the topic of her book which is bullying.

1) What influenced you to write the book How the Moon Regained Her Shape?

I had been reading Native American legends and studying Native American ceremonies, such as the quest for young adults and other coming-of-age rituals.This was part of my research for a scholarly article about the use of rituals in the work of Michigan poet Judith Minty, who is part Mohawk.I was also writing theater reviews for the Kalamazoo Gazette, and the editors asked me to review a dramatization of four Native American legends.After I wrote the review, I sat down to write my own legend, based on my experiences as the victim of a bully when I was young.It felt good to do something constructive with a very painful childhood experience.

2) How can we best help children cope with bullies?

Many people think that if children deal with bullies themselves, this will help children to become strong.While some kids may have the social skills to cope with bullies, most kids need adult advice or help.I was a shy little girl, and I was clueless about what to do when I got bullied in elementary school.When I told my mother, she said, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me."This did not help me because I was hurting badly inside, and she was simply denying my pain.I needed her to ask questions and offer advice.For example, she might have asked how often I got bullied (every day) and whether I had told my bully to stop and whether I had told the teacher about the problem.If the bully would not stop annoying me and the teacher tolerated the abuse, perhaps my mother and I could have talked to the school psychologist or social worker, the principal, and/or the bully's parents.

I also feel strongly that schools should conduct anti-bullying workshops coordinated by trained psychologists, social workers, and teachers.These should emphasize that our differences make the world interesting.We do not have the right to make fun of other people who look different, dress differently, or have disabilities.

There are many good books about bullying, ranging from picture books for very young children to novels and nonfiction for older kids.WTTW, the public television station in Chicago, has some good books listed on its website.I also have a list of 30 books about bullying that I can e-mail interested parents, educators, scout leaders, coaches, etc.My e-mail is [email protected] Discussing these books with children would help them to understand why bullying is not cool.

Schools should have a no-tolerance policy for bullying.Persistent bullies need counseling, and the victims of bullies may also need help to regain their self-esteem.Many schools have a "Bully Box" where students can put anonymous complaints about those who antagonize them.This allows kids to identify abusive classmates without jeopardizing their own safety.

Furthermore, schools should train all children in basic self-defense.Bullies would be less likely to torment other children if they knew that all of their classmates could frustrate physical attacks.

Scout leaders, coaches, places of worship, and other groups that work with children should also have anti-bullying policies and conduct workshops and discussions to discourage abusive behavior.Bullying is not healthy for kids.

3) How can we best help parents help their children cope with bullies?

Parents need to listen to their children when they complain about bullies, especially if the abuse is repeated and frequent.

Parents need to keep lines of communication open, rather than dismissing kids' complaints as trivial, as my mother did.Children and family members can discuss different ways to frustrate bullies and decide what works best in the child's unique situation.When bullies have traumatized a child, parents need to get him or her to a professional counselor before the abuse weakens the child's self-esteem and causes depression.Parents have the right to complain to teachers, principals, religious authorities, coaches, scout leaders, etc., and to demand action if kids get persistently bullied.

4) How can teachers best help children cope with bullies?

Like parents, teachers need to listen to children when they complain about persistent bullies and keep lines of communication open.Teachers can give students advice and refer bullies to the school psychologist or social worker.Clear rules for proper school conduct can show bullies that their behavior is out-of-line.All classrooms need a complaint box so that students can report abuse that the teachers do not see.Recess supervisors can watch out for bullying and also try to make sure that games include any interested students, rather than excluding those who are unpopular or different.

5) Why do you think there is so much interest in bullies in the schools nowadays?

I think that the Civil Rights Movement and the Women's Movement have demonstrated that unfair treatment has serious consequences for individuals and for their society.This realization prompts schools, places of worship, athletic organizations, and other institutions to confront bullies and to help victims of abuse.Also, contemporary psychology emphasizes the importance of self-esteem and self-confidence to happy children and adults.Bullying threatens kids' mental, emotional, and physical health.Also, schools and other organizations can get sued if they don't adequately protect kids.Finally, tragedies like the shootings at Columbine and other schools have proven that unchecked bullying can result in suicides and murders.

6) Were you ever bullied by other children when in grade school?

Yes.I was a new student at my elementary school because my parents had moved from one city to another.One girl told me every day during recess, "You're so skinny that I can see right through you."I did not know what to do, and I believed that there was something wrong with my body.I remember this bullying very clearly, even though it was decades ago.Writing and speaking about my book have helped to diminish the hurt and pain.

7) What is the role of friends in this issue?

Friends need to comfort victims of bullies and help them see that the bullies' insults and/or physical abuse do not diminish the victims' worthiness as a person.Friends also need to give the victims advice about what to do.Friends can also go with the victim to confront a bully and say that the group will not tolerate continued abuse.

8) Do you have a web site or an 800 number to get more information about the book?

My publisher's website is www.SylvanDellPublishing.com You can also e-mail my publisher at [email protected] You can order my book at your local bookstore or find it at many libraries.Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.com also list my book.

9) What question have I neglected to ask? You could have asked " What is your background?"

I teach English and Women's Studies at Western Michigan University.I have a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago.I have published creative nonfiction, over 150 poems, dozens of essays in literary criticism, and a scholarly book, Coleridge, Lamb, Hazlitt and the Reader of Drama.I'm a past president of the Society for the Study of Midwestern Literature and am currently president of the Michigan College English Association.I'm trying to find publishers for other books that I have written for children.

Published Mrach 19, 2007