Product Description
D.J.’s friend Vince has a habit of teasing D.J. and then saying, "Just kidding!" as if it will make everything okay. It doesn’t, but D.J. is afraid that if he protests, his friends will think he can’t take a joke. With the help of his father, brother, and an understanding teacher, D.J. progresses from feeling helpless to taking positive action, undermining the power of two seemingly harmless words. Trudy Ludwig takes another look at relational aggression, the use of relationships to manipulate and hurt others, this time from the boy’s point of view.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 5.0 based on 14 reviews)

Incredible Author! by mj (Hermiston, OR United States)

5 Stars
June 01, 2009
Trudy Ludwig does an incredible job capturing the REAL life experiences of young people today! She addresses issues of various types of bullying, pressures of not being good enough, and overall friendship issues. I am a school counselor and I use her books regularly in classroom lessons and in individual sessions with stduents. I see their faces light up when they realize that "somebody 'gets' me!" At times in classroom lessons I could hear a pin drop! Pick up any of her books TODAY! I have enjoyed her books so much, I have invited her to come present at our school next fall, and I can't wait!

Just Kidding by Counseling Sha (Longivew, Texas)

5 Stars
January 28, 2009
The students in our school are experiencing bullying all around them, this book opened their eyes. They were able to see through the eyes of the author what bullying looked like and what it sounded like.

Important Story!!! by Jill Zimmerman Rutledge, M.S.W., LCSW (Illinois)

5 Stars
June 05, 2008
Great book that shows children the difference between "kidding around" and "being mean." Trudy Ludwig has written an interesting, compassionate story that will spark important parent-child conversations.

Pleased by Mom of a first grader

5 Stars
May 02, 2008
My son learned a few things from this book. He learned that bullying was not uncommon. He learned that it is okay to report a problem and that it wasn't tattling. He learned that not everyone has to be his friend and that he has other choices. He also learned that his reaction to a bully's behavior would have much different outcomes. I passed this book on to others who have had similar experiences with bullies.

Bullied student gets smart.. by L. Nelson

4 Stars
February 09, 2008
After realizing that his "friend" is not really a friend, the main character finds other kids to hang out with who are not mean to him. I will use this with a bullying unit that I do each fall. It is sure to stimulate some good discussion and help children realize that they have choices.

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

	My Secret Bully by Trudy Ludwig (Author), Abigail Marble (Illustrator) When Monica’s friend Katie begins to call her names and humiliate her in front of other kids at school, she feels betrayed and isolated. But with help from her mother, Monica reclaims her confidence from a bully disguised as her friend. This wonderful resource for children, parents, teachers, and counselors includes helpful tips, discussion questions, and additional information for any child who has experienced relational aggression.
	Sorry! by Trudy Ludwig (Author), Maurie J. Manning (Illustrator) Jack's friend Charlie seems to know how to get away with just about anything. Adults always back down when you say you're sorry. But does an apology count if you don't really mean it? Jack learns that the path to forgiveness isn't always the easiest. Includes afterword by apology-expert Dr. Aaron Lazare, M.D., note from author, and discussion questions.
	Trouble Talk by Trudy Ludwig (Author), Mikela Prevost (Illustrator), Charisse L. Nixon (Illustrator) Maya's friend Bailey loves to talk about everything and everyone. At first, Maya thinks Bailey is funny. But when Bailey's talk leads to harmful rumors and hurt feelings, Maya begins to think twice about their friendship. In her fourth book for children, relational aggression expert Trudy Ludwig acquaints readers with the damaging consequences of "trouble talk"--talking to others about someone else's troubles in order to establish connection and gain attention. Includes additional resources for...
	Say Something by Peggy Moss (Author), Lea Lyon (Illustrator) At this school, there are some children who push and tease and bully. Sometimes they hurt other kids by just ignoring them. The girl in this story sees it happening, but she would never do these mean things herself. Then one day something happens that shows her that being a silent bystander isn't enough. Will she take some steps on her own to help another kid? Bright, fluid, realistic watercolors illustrate the story, set in a school with lots of diversity. Resources at the end...
	Nobody Knew What to Do: A Story About Bullying (Concept Books (Albert Whitman)) by Becky Ray McCain (Author), Todd Leonardo (Illustrator) Straightforward and simple, this story tells how one child found the courage to tell a teacher about Ray, who was being picked on and bullied by other kids in school. Faced with the fact that "nobody knows what to do" while Ray is bullied, the children sympathetic to him feel fear and confusion and can only hope that Ray will "fit in some day." Finally, after Ray misses a day of school and the bullies plot mean acts for his return, our narrator goes to a teacher. The children then invite Ray to...