Reading, Writing, and Reciprocity: Novel Brings Bully Prevention Program to Life
M. LaCourt takes us on a literary journey few have imagined. The Prize is a courageous and compelling story that challenges all the taken-for-granted "truths" about bullies and victims. The Prize, however, is far more than an exposé of the inadequacies of traditional ideas about bullying. It is first and foremost a well-crafted novel that people of all ages will find intriguing.
(PRWEB) March 27, 2003
M. LaCourt takes us on a literary journey few have imagined. The Prize is a courageous and compelling story that challenges all the taken-for-granted "truths" about bullies and victims. The Prize, however, is far more than an exposé of the inadequacies of traditional ideas about bullying. It is first and foremost a well-crafted novel that people of all ages will find intriguing.
The sixty-year-old protagonists—one a childhood bully, one a childhood victim—think adults can learn from kids who behave as they did when they were youths. They plot a way to test their radical idea. Sydney Schuster and John Murphy vacillate between wringing their hands quietly and meddling with the experiment when the students in the Schuster/Murphy Experimental School get themselves into all manner of trouble.
Stemming from author M. LaCourt's successful "Live and Let Live" bully prevention program, this fictionalized account incorporates many of the strategies people of all ages can use to foster healthier relationships in schools, workplaces, homes, and anywhere people interact with one another. LaCourt emphasizes the concept of titt for tatt as a basic skill of cooperation, where bullies as well as victims learn to allow their internal sense of justice to prevail and thus prevent situations from escalating into undue violence and other negative behaviors.
In an effort to expand her bully-prevention efforts, LaCourt invites educators to participate in a project designed to Promote Cooperation and Literacy in Our Schools. The author will donate ten copies of The Prize to fifty school libraries where an adult educator will lead a reading/discussion group with ten students and submit feedback to the author about the project. Anyone interested in participating can contact the author at lacourt@wi. rr. com or 262-797-9857 for a free copy of the book before making a commitment to the project.
This is a limited, first-come first-serve offer to the first fifty schools or libraries to apply.
Advance books available at discount with quick delivery from the author's Web site: http://www. bulliesvictimsandchoices. com (http://www. bulliesvictimsandchoices. com) and http://www. lacourt-m. com (http://www. lacourt-m. com)
American Book Classics is an imprint of American Book Publishing, a small traditional publishing company with over 100 titles to date in print.
For information about bulk rates or library discounts contact Wendy Mair at 801-486-8639 or bookpr@american-book. com.
What Readers Have to Say about The PrizeÂ
"LaCourt takes us from peer pressure–filled schools to dysfunctional homes and back again. She crafts each complex character carefully so that we not only see the stereotypical public masks they use to cope, but also their vulnerable natures within." —Deborah Turner, University of California Santa Cruz Multicultural Outreach Librarian
"This book is a real gift to every teen who struggles with peer relationships. For the rest of us, it is the perfect antidote to the dreary message of The Lord of the Flies. The Prize demonstrates that self-interest is not a human trait to be rejected or restrained. Rather, it is the essence of what makes cooperation work. Kudos to LaCourt for the creative way she shares a profound insight into human nature." —Deborah Bishop, M. A., Couples and Family Counselor
"The Prize is a seductive page-turner that takes a deep look into virtue and decision-making. Honestly describes the complexity of relationships and the hardship that occurs when one is being bullied? Five Stars for The Prize!" —Rachel Johnson, age 13, New Moon Magazine Girl's Editorial Board Member
"The story is filled with wonderful twists and turns. The author has captured the dialogue and characterizations of the troubled youth in a superlative manner. This is an excellent teaching tool. I would put it on the same level as Holes in its appeal to both the teaching and the young adult communities. The development of the relationships is done in a wonderfully ironic fashion. We rated this book a very high four hearts." —Bob Spear, Book Sense Review
"The Prize: A Novel About Bullies and Victims and What Drives Them"
Author: M. LaCourt
ISBN: 1-58982-066-5—Release date: March 2003
Binding: Soft Cover—Page count: 288—Dimensions: 5 x 8
Retail cost: $22.00—Distribution: pdbookstore. com—Baker & Taylor
Publisher: American Book Publishing
Publisher offers 40% discount off list price to schools and libraries on orders of five or more books and publisher pays shipping.
