A welcome picture book focuses on the difficult position in which many children find themselves as witnesses to mean or bullying behavior and also invites them to consider the role that silence plays. “There’s a kid in my school who gets picked on all the time,” begins the young, unnamed narrator. She describes several situations in which other kids in her school are being teased, bullied, or hurtfully ignored. Each time she separates herself from the instigators, pointing out that she doesn’t do what they do. She feels sorry for the victims, but she never says a word or does a thing to try to change what is happening. Then comes a day when her friends aren’t with her at lunchtime and she has to sit alone. A group of kids approaches and start telling her jokes; then the jokes become about her. Just as she’s felt sorry for kids being teased, she can tell that other kids in the cafeteria feel sorry for her. But they don’t say a word. Peggy Moss offers a hopeful ending rooted in one small, affirming action in a pointed book that invites children to talk about how hard it can be—yet how important it is—to take a stand, and how a simple act like saying “hello” can be the first step in making a difference. (Ages 5–10)

Teachers' Choice Awards for Children's Books, 2005 -Learning Magazine Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2005 -National Council on the Social Studies and the Children's Book Council Bullying is frequently enabled by the bystander who says, it's not my responsibility. 'What could I do?'I didn't know. Written with sensitivity, appropriate directness, and astute caveats, 'Say Something' provides a critical alert for children and parents alike with an early, important lesson in civic responsibility. -Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul, and Mary. Founder, Operation Respect/Don't Laugh at Me Bravo, Moss and Lyon, for giving parents and teachers a wonderul new resource to help children make their way as caring, responsible citizens! -Ellen Hofheimer Bettmann, Co-author of Hate Hurts: How Children Learn and Unlearn Prejudice