True Shoes — the new Revealers sequel — is the first YA novel to deal realistically with cyberbullying, with its impacts on kids — and with the positive force that is its opposite.
True Shoes is a vivid, suspenseful story that portrays both cyberbullying and creative self-expression online among middle schoolers. It's a followup to The Revealers, Doug Wilhelm's acclaimed YA novel on bullying that has been read and discussed by more than 1,000 middle schools.
True Shoes grew from Doug's hundreds of conversations with middle schoolers, on his visits to schools just as cyberbullying began to emerge in young people's lives. With a lively, expanded cast of characters, the novel also deals with sports, a romantic triangle, a boy's secret, cross-cultural issues ... and much more.
True Shoes was released in March by Long Stride Books, distributed by the Independent Publishers Group (IPG) — and schools in 11 states have already made it the focus of reading and discussion projects. Scroll down for rave responses from teachers and students — and to learn about Novel Connections, the free, multimedia classroom resource for working with True Shoes.
To buy True Shoes, you can:
• Contact your local bookstore. If they don't yet have True Shoes, please ask for it!
• Place an online order at Amazon.com's True Shoes page.
• To inquire about or place a discount bulk order through IPG, click here. You can also call IPG toll-free at (800) 888-IPG1, fax (312) 337-5985, or email:
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, for orders, or
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, for inquiries.
Novel Connections: Using True Shoes as a standards-linked teaching tool on cyberbullying and digital citizenship
The Revealers sequel is about young people finding their voice in today's connected world — about the choices middle schoolers are making to use networked technology in ways both creative and cruel. Developed by the author and a panel of experts, Novel Connections is a free, multimedia classroom resource, linked to academic standards and the Common Core, that easily enables teachers and schools to use the realistic novel, or pieces of it, to bring the urgent issues of cyberbullying and digital citizenship to life in classrooms with young readers.
Click here to review or download the free resource.
Voices on True Shoes from middle schools:
"Most of our 7th graders are in the process of reading True Shoes. True Shoes is TREMENDOUS!!! As a school counselor, I have gone into several classes to facilitate discussions around some of the more sensitive issues such as the domestic violence and abuse. What incredible conversations we have had – so powerful! Thank you for hitting such tough topics in a way that gives schools an opportunity to work with the material. I can do a lesson based around the characters of the story, addressing tough issues but giving the students a chance to interact without ‘revealing their own stuff.’ Marvelous."Lynne Ellis
Litchfield (NH) Middle School
“As the story progressed, I got more and more excited. This is so relevant to today and some of the things we deal with in our own school.”
Mark Domeier, English teacher
NRHEG High School
New Richland, MN
“Just read the first chapter aloud to the class. Wish I had videotaped the reaction! I love how you really nailed the subtle differences in 8th grade dialogue compared to 7th grade. Fantastic.”
Joshua Safran, Language Arts teacher
Edmunds Middle School
Burlington, VT
Barbara Raak, Language Arts teacher
Fennville (MI) Middle School
“I thought the sequel rivaled The Revealers. It held a realistic perception of the negative effects that cyberbullying can cause. It also showed how pressures caused not only by peers, but by family as well, can lessen your enjoyment of 7th or 8th grade, a time when most of us find our true selves. A must read for those who can't help but connect with the characters and understand what they're going through.”
Artemis Brown, eighth grader, Fennville Middle School
There's much more on this site!
Click on The Revealers to see how middle schools across the U.S. are using my best-known book to build both literacy and awareness of bullying. Click here for briefings on the best projects, plus unit study plans and many other usable resources. Visit my blog, Reading Matters, for twice-weekly posts on the changing book business, my adventure in "indie" publishing, the vital need for libraries, the vitality of print in an age of e-reading, and more!
