"The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander"

Barbara Coloroso authored an excellent book on bullying called “The Bully, the bullied, and the Bystander.” I recommend this book to any educator, school administrator, or parent. What makes this particular book on bullying worth reading? Coloroso takes a multi-contextual approach in her discussion of bullying in schools. The book discusses bullies, the bullied, bystanders, schools, educators, and parents. It discusses extreme cases of bullying that may have led to student homicides and suicides (referred to as “bullycide” by Coloroso). Aside from clearly describing the problem of bullying and student violence in schools, the book also suggests helpful ways for parents and schools to protect children. I was very impressed that the bystander was included in this book because the bully and the bullied are not the only players in most bullying incidents. Coloroso makes it clear that bystanders have the power to stop bullying behaviors, and offers several descriptive stories of bystanders preventing bullying. Theories and ideas about bullying and bullying prevention are woven together with real life examples that add meaning to Coloroso’s messages. Please find a reference for this book below.


Coloroso, B. (2003). The bully, the bullied, and the bystander. Harper Collins
Publishers Inc., New York: N.Y.