This Song Will Save Your Life
by Leila Sales (Farar, Starus and Giroux, 2013) .
She's a bully magnet. Without real friends 16 yr old Elise is struggling in high school. She attempts to make herself over during the summer but her inability to connect leaves her feeling suicidal. A failed suicide attempt leads to even more challenging consequences. She finds solace in music and is able to make connections through DJ'ing.
Born Ugly
by Beth Goobie (Red Deer Press, 2011)
Sixteen year old Shir's life is pretty hellish. She's tormented at school and rejected at home by both her single and her step sister. She copes by drinking beer at her special spot by the river. One of her sanctuaries, her part time job, turns dangerous. She desperately needs a friend.
Creeps
by Darren Hynes (Razorbill Canada, 2013).
Fifteen year old William Pumphrey lives in the small mining town of Canning Labrador. His family is a mess and life at school is a nightmare largely due to the horrendous actions of bully Pete "the Meat" and his gang. Meeting fellow student Marjorie is a lifesaver although her life too is bleak.
Home Truths
by Jill MacLean (Dancing Cat Books, 2010)
Sixteen year old Brick is sometimes a bully. He's learned about having an uncontrollable temper from his dad. This summer Brick is planning his escape but he also needs to think about who he will be leaving behind. Set in Nova Scotia
Living with the Hawk
by Rovert Currie (Thistledown Press, 2013)
From the back cover: "Inspired in part by a poem written by one of the author’s students, Living with the Hawk is a novel that examines the ways in which teenage drinking, the male bonding of high-school football, bullying, misogyny, and racism can lead to tragedies which affect even well-intentioned people."
To This Day: For the Bullied and Beautiful
by Shane Koyczan with art by thirty international artists (Annick Press, 2014)
Perhaps you remember spoken word poet Shane Koyczan from the 2010 Olympics performance of We Are More or maybe you've seen his TED talk/recitation of this lyrical poem To This Day or the animated youtube video of the same that has 12million+ views. It is now a book.