This book has a great meaning for friendship, forgiveness, and kindness. The little girls grandfather always reminded her to "treat people the way you want to be treated." This saying stuck with her while she was getting bullied in school. Having that reminder helped her to befriend the bully and help him when he needed it. This book will help create lots of group discussion throughout the classroom. Having this book to read before asking the students to write about a time where they can help someone who may need it rather than ignoring them. Having the students share their response to the class to encourage kindness all around. 

Lexile Level: 610L

Brief Review:

The juice box bully is about a young boy who just moved to a new school and was bullied at his last school and nobody did anything about it, so he decides he’s going to be the bully, so he doesn’t get bullied anymore. And learns a lesson of how to treat others.

Idea of how it can be used in a classroom:

The Juice Box Bully could be used during the first week of third grade teaching students its not okay to bully anyone in the classroom not even if there is a bully. The teacher could have the students come up together to write a pact about how no one in the class will be a bystander to bullying or be a bully and then sign it to show that they are willing to follow the pact.

Reading Level & Leveling System:

Accelerated Reader

3.2; Third Grade Second Month

Book Rating:

I would rate this book a 5 because it is empowering to young students, who could possibly having a hard time being bullied and gives a method to stopping bullying.

Pete starts at a new school and because of his past experiences he believes that he needs to show authority to the others and bully them. He quickly realizes that this new school has a no bully policy and his behavior is not going to be tolerated. He tried to fight back and bully more after he was confronted but it did not go well for him. He was confronted again by the entire group and explained to them why he had been acting the way he was. They talked it out and at the end everyone was forgiven and Pete was happy to be there. 

This book could be read at the beginning of the year to address the topic of bullying. Have the students write about if they were ever put into that situation what would they do? Also, the students could work with the teacher and come up with their own saying to do away with bullying if and when it happens. 

Grade 2-5

Book Level

Accelerated Reader 3.2

The Juice Box Bully is a book to empower children to stand up to bullies rather than being a bystander. Pete is a new student in Mr. Peltzer's class. He bullies the other children from stealing their soccer ball to squeezing juice onto Ruby's white shirt. Instead of letting Pete get away with his antics, the students step up. They learned that Pete was bullied by other children at his old school so he starts bullying other children before they can be mean to him. The students tell Pete about 'the promise' they made to Mr. Peltzer. Pete later apologizes. 

An after activity in the classroom of any grade could be the students and teacher creating their own 'promise' for when they see bullying happening. Together, the students and teacher can sign the promise. 

AR Level: 3.2

The Juice Box Bully teaches children how to stand up to bullying. Pete begins a new school and his behavior turns bad. The kids in his class teach him about "The Promise" but he has to decide if he will get rid of his bullying habits and do what is right. This would be great for 1st-4th grade. Your students could make a class promise and sign it.

Reading Level: 3.2