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 Janice Levy (Author), C. B. Decker (Illustrator) Flashlight Press From A Press Release Book Description Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never harm me. Yeah, right. Sure. Who made that one up? Alley Oops (Flashlight Press) by Janice Levy and illustrated by Cynthia Decker, relates the painful and embarrassing aftermath of name-calling and bullying from the novel perspective of the bully. Bullying is a worldwide problem with negative lifelong consequences for the bully as well as the victim. Nearly everyone knows a bully, has been bullied, or has bullied someone. But when Alley Oops wrestles with bullying - pinning down a positive outlook - everyone wins in the end. J.J. Jax has been tormenting an overweight boy named Patrick, calling him Pig-Pen and Porky, and now Patrick is afraid to go to school. When Mr. Jax finds out, he tells J.J. a story about when he was a bully, and how sorry he feels now. He explains about the two dogs inside us, one bad and one good, that fight all the time. "Which dog wins?" J.J. asks. "The one you feed the most," Mr. Jax answers. Touched by his father's words, J.J. bikes over to Patrick's house to talk things over, and is surprised to discover how much he and Patrick have in common: they both think getting yelled at is better than being lectured, they both have little sisters who never get in trouble, and they both love the sport of arm-wrestling. Patrick even has an official arm-wrestling table! Trounced by Patrick in an arm-wrestling match, J.J. is impressed with Patrick's "hammer hand" and decides to become his manager. The boys' shared interest in arm-wrestling becomes the conduit for resolution and budding friendship. Alley Oops is a story about hurt and anger, empathy and hope, resilience and ingenuity. It's about actions and consequences. And finally, it's about that "alley oops!" moment when a child experiences the empowerment and self-esteem that come from doing the right thing. Janice Levy's snappy dialogue highlights the harmful, lasting effects of bullying and the importance of finding common ground toward conflict resolution. Cynthia Decker's believable contemporary illustrations bring the story to life with expressive body language and lots of "street cred." About the Author and Illustrator: Janice Levy is the author of more than ten children's books including Finding the Right Spot, The Spirit of Tío Fernando, Totally Uncool, and Abuelito Eats with His Fingers. She teaches writing at Hofstra University and lives in Merrick, New York. Cynthia Decker has illustrated many children's books including The Block Mess Monster and Everybody Makes Mistakes. She lives in Modesto, California. Buy: Alley Oops Return to the Dr. Laura Reading Corner |
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