poignant, but I think it got off topic and went a little too old school. ( )

After his mother and her boyfriend are killed, Sean is taken in by the boyfriend's father. Realizing that Sean is bullied in school, "pop" takes steps to ensure that he develops the courage and skill to fight back and take care of himself. ( )

Once again Andrew Vachss has broken our conception of what can be achieved with the graphic novel format. Teaming with artist Frank Caruso and clinical social worker Zak Mucha, he takes on bullying and emotional abuse with a great story that goes to the root of the problem.

As someone who was bullied in school, and who learned to fight much later in life, it touched a nerve. When we hear of bullying, we blame the bully, we blame the school, but we don't talk of how to bully-proof our children. By teaching them that they are worth fighting for, and to have the armor of self-confidence that makes bullies seek other targets.

We can't undo the damage that creates a bully. "Give me a child until the age of 7, and I will give you the man." But we can raise our children to not be bullied, or tolerate the bullying of others.

I'll be buying another copy and donating it to my local library, if they don't already have it in stock. It's that important.

( )

How can a relationship change your life when you beleive that life has handed you a bad life. ( )

One loving step grandparent can make up for a whole world of hurt. ( )