I just finished reading all 21 pages of my school district’s anti Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying policy. Whoa.

DEAR BULLY: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories could not have come at a better time.

I’m so proud to be one of the authors chosen to participate in this important project. My essay, “Who Gives the Popular People Power? Who???” includes older-and-wiser commentary on tormented passages taken directly from my elementary school diary:

My class at school sucks!

I seriously think there is not one person who knows how to be a true-blue, ’til-the-end friend.

Heather said she’s going to kick my ass in.

I hate sixth grade! Life must get better!

When I read my essay to my 8-year-old he said, “Mom, I feel so sad for your sixth grade self.” I was happy to reassure him that my piece is indeed in the category titled, IT GETS BETTER. Because it does. Really. But it certainly sucks when you’re suffering through it. If there’s one take-away message from this book, it’s this: YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

DEAR BULLY is on sale now. Some essays are encouraging. Others are cringe-worthy. All are honest. I highly recommend this anthology to parents, educators, or anyone who cares for and about kids.