Whether abuse is physical, verbal or emotional, sexual, psychological, or in the form of neglect, it’s a parent’s duty to protect their child from all harm. This includes educating them to recognize mistreatment and imparting the courage to speak up when they feel uncomfortable or threatened.
You can use books and news articles to educate your child about abuse. Through stories, you and your child can read about feelings and discuss how characters solve their problems.
For its 100th anniversary, Scholastic spoke with experts to identify a set of books, articles, and tips that make starting a conversation with your child about abuse easier. These resources are part of a broader initiative, called the Scholastic Bookshelf, created for Instagram to raise awareness around contemporary issues affecting children today.
Books Featuring Examples of Abuse for Discussion
Becoming Maria is the true story of Sonia Manzano, best known as “Maria” from Sesame Street, whose 1950s Bronx upbringing was overshadowed by an abusive, alcoholic father. Despite hardship, Manzano clung to her dreams of being an actress. This coming-of-age memoir for middle and high school readers is a story of resilience by an author who has inspired millions through her work.
The novel Furious Thing tracks the explosive energy building within teenager Lexi, whose emotionally abusive stepfather John has her convinced bad things happen when she’s around. A book about breaking free of the limitations others can place on us, this empowering book speaks for the anger abuse victims feel — and how to use that anger to move forward.
