Rating: 
Summary: A new look at a very old and tragic behavior
Review: After learning that this book was "required" reading for the faculty at my daughter's school, I too wanted to read the book. This is a very poignant look at the life long effects of bullying. If you were the bullier or the one being bullied this is a "must read". I was so saddend to read about Frank Peretti's life as a child. What an encouragement to see how he overcame his childhood! The pain and scars from your childhood can be overcome.
Rating:
Summary: For Girls/Women Too
Review: Although I could not share all of the memories Peretti gave of a boy's experience with bullying, as a woman I shared many of the same feelings. Girls can be just as tough on each other as boys, especially in the locker room. This book could really help anyone work through those old experiences and look at oneself in a new light today. I was disappointed the book did not go further; give more examples or bring in more points of view. While I share his Christian views, I wish Peretti had toned them down some so the book would reach a wider audience. I hope this book prompts more authors to share their insights.
Rating: 
Summary: A Sobering but Uplifting Book
Review: Frank Peretti's fame as a Christian horror writer can easily be understood once you read this soul-baring, heart-rendering account of his early life. Focusing somewhat on the tragedy at Columbine, Peretti tells us of his own wounded spirit at the hands of bullies and insensitive people during his school days. Peretti relates the story of the night of his birth, when his father had to replace a tire in a raging snowstorm. The faith his parents have in God is awesome and he uses a quite unusual object to aid in his repair of the wheel.
Peretti is never self-pitying, and he offers some really wonderful insight into the reason bullying is such a devastating occurrence to a withdrawn, self-conscious young male. I'm sure many male readers can share in the terrors that awaited the "different" in phys ed class and the showers.
Peretti then goes on to suggest ways we can heal our wounded spirits, and stand up for what we believe in. He also tells us that when we wound, we too should ask for forgiveness.
This is not a preachy book, it is well written, and it can be read easily in one or two sittings. It's a joy to read someone who has such faith in his Lord, and is willing to share his past with those who have also been there.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: A MESSAGE OF HEALING
Review: Frank Peretti's fame as a Christian horror writer can easily be understood once you read this soul-baring, heart-rendering account of his early life. Focusing somewhat on the tragedy at Columbine, Peretti tells us of his own wounded spirit at the hands of bullies and insensitive people during his school days. Peretti relates the story of the night of his birth, when his father had to replace a tire in a raging snowstorm. The faith his parents have in God is awesome and he uses a quite unusual object to aid in his repair of the wheel.
Peretti is never self-pitying, and he offers some really wonderful insight into the reason bullying is such a devastating occurrence to a withdrawn, self-conscious young male. I'm sure many male readers can share in the terrors that awaited the "different" in phys ed class and the showers.
Peretti then goes on to suggest ways we can heal our wounded spirits, and stand up for what we believe in. He also tells us that when we wound, we too should ask for forgiveness.
This is not a preachy book, it is well written, and it can be read easily in one or two sittings. It's a joy to read someone who has such faith in his Lord, and is willing to share his past with those who have also been there.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
Rating:
Summary: Going back to the 20th reunion
Review: I had a hard time in school. I also had a hard time in an unhappy home life. So there was no haven for me. I had few places to be "safe". So I retreated within myself, into a fantasy world--and thank God I did not reach a breaking point like those Columbine students who killed others so tragically. I was shy, not popular--so I was easy target practice for the typical school bully that was looking for someone to prey upon. Going back to my 20th reunion was something I really never thought of doing. I never went to the 5th or the 10th. There were still people there who invoked bad feelings inside. Yes, twenty years later, and I still dislike them. Just because I am in my late thirties does not mean that I don't get affected in some way. And I am tired of those old tapes in my head. I never fully addressed my pain until now. I went to therapy for some time now, but my anger is finally fully coming out of me. And that is a good thing. I used to be afraid of my anger, so I pushed it back down. Well, it will keep trying to come back up unless it is dealt with. So here I am, twenty years later. If it was a small thing. I would be OK about being picked on if it was minor "kid stuff". I am sure most kids are bothered at some point--like a survival of the fittest--pick on or be picked on. Yet it was "no small thing". All the way from the 5th grade to the 12th(to graduation)I had some bad situation happen to me constantly. Needless to say, school was hell. One bully continually pinched me in the rear end to make his friends laugh (at my expense, of course). Two friends of mine reported this guy to the principal in junior high school. My head held low, I admited, feeling like a fool, that some boys never let up on me. The principal's response: "If these boys are teasing you, doesn't that mean that they really like you?" After that ignorant comment, what was I to do? Case closed. I knew it would do no good to go to authorities. Many of them were out of touch, out of tune. I knew that to tell was to be a "squealer" and would cause the bullies to retaliate even worse. Isn't this amazing though? The victim has to keep a code of silence so as to protect the perpetrator?! I am not surprised at all about Columbine. As sickening as that is, as twisted and as evil as the tragedy is--I do understand that people do have a breaking point. As people asked: "How did this happen?"...I was not surpised at all by it-only very saddened. I used to try to act tough when hurt by others. I often had a big chip on my shoulder. I became very ashamed of myself, and I really did not like who I was. Somewhere, deep inside, I felt that I probably deserved it...like I was seriously flawed. That is the most punishing of all abuses--I soon became my own worse enemy. When the abuse stopped, I picked up where it was left off. I agree with the author that everyone is guilty of doing wrong-even the ones picked on. I have to remember that I was cruel when I wanted to be--although I am sure that I was acting out of a shameful spirit much of the time. And I truly would love the opportunity to ask someone to forgive me, if need be. To do that is the most courageous thing of all, to say "please forgive me". With time, healing is possible. But it is messy and sticky. It is not something that you just forget. The worst response anyone could ever say to a "wounded spirit" is "just get over it!" You must face it, embrace it, come to terms with it. Go to a counselor. Go to support groups, if needed. For me it was not school that really was the issue; it was my chaotic childhood. So school was the icing on the cake of my wounded spirit. I
stuffed all my bad feelings for years--food, other addictive behaviors. Now, going back to the 20th reunion, I wanted to face some things. It was a time of anxiety and anticipation-good and bad. I did confront a few people there--I was passive aggressive about it--and really those kind of "get them back" feeings give one a small moment of satisfaction. After I acted the way that I did, the hurt did not go away (like one thinks it will). After all, the former bullies are going about with their lives. They are not affected by my hurt feelings. So why must I still be miserable over it? I have to ask myself this. Therefore, the road to forgiveness is not for them--it is for me, a gift I can give myself. If you have an issue of not forgiving someone, remember this: For those you have not yet forgiven, they still own you. I don't even have to see those people again to forgive them. Learn what true forgiveness is, and then work through it--that is my best advice. Forgiveness is not, "oh, that is ok. It didn't really bother me" or "they didn't really mean that" or "that's ok, no big deal anymore". Forgiveness is not for them as much as it is for you. And you are worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Going back to the 20th reunion
Review: I had a hard time in school. I also had a hard time in an unhappy home life. So there was no haven for me. I had few places to be "safe". So I retreated within myself, into a fantasy world--and thank God I did not reach a breaking point like those Columbine students who killed others so tragically. I was shy, not popular--so I was easy target practice for the typical school bully that was looking for someone to prey upon. Going back to my 20th reunion was something I really never thought of doing. I never went to the 5th or the 10th. There were still people there who invoked bad feelings inside. Yes, twenty years later, and I still dislike them. Just because I am in my late thirties does not mean that I don't get affected in some way. And I am tired of those old tapes in my head. I never fully addressed my pain until now. I went to therapy for some time now, but my anger is finally fully coming out of me. And that is a good thing. I used to be afraid of my anger, so I pushed it back down. Well, it will keep trying to come back up unless it is dealt with. So here I am, twenty years later. If it was a small thing. I would be OK about being picked on if it was minor "kid stuff". I am sure most kids are bothered at some point--like a survival of the fittest--pick on or be picked on. Yet it was "no small thing". All the way from the 5th grade to the 12th(to graduation)I had some bad situation happen to me constantly. Needless to say, school was hell. One bully continually pinched me in the rear end to make his friends laugh (at my expense, of course). Two friends of mine reported this guy to the principal in junior high school. My head held low, I admited, feeling like a fool, that some boys never let up on me. The principal's response: "If these boys are teasing you, doesn't that mean that they really like you?" After that ignorant comment, what was I to do? Case closed. I knew it would do no good to go to authorities. Many of them were out of touch, out of tune. I knew that to tell was to be a "squealer" and would cause the bullies to retaliate even worse. Isn't this amazing though? The victim has to keep a code of silence so as to protect the perpetrator?! I am not surprised at all about Columbine. As sickening as that is, as twisted and as evil as the tragedy is--I do understand that people do have a breaking point. As people asked: "How did this happen?"...I was not surpised at all by it-only very saddened. I used to try to act tough when hurt by others. I often had a big chip on my shoulder. I became very ashamed of myself, and I really did not like who I was. Somewhere, deep inside, I felt that I probably deserved it...like I was seriously flawed. That is the most punishing of all abuses--I soon became my own worse enemy. When the abuse stopped, I picked up where it was left off. I agree with the author that everyone is guilty of doing wrong-even the ones picked on. I have to remember that I was cruel when I wanted to be--although I am sure that I was acting out of a shameful spirit much of the time. And I truly would love the opportunity to ask someone to forgive me, if need be. To do that is the most courageous thing of all, to say "please forgive me". With time, healing is possible. But it is messy and sticky. It is not something that you just forget. The worst response anyone could ever say to a "wounded spirit" is "just get over it!" You must face it, embrace it, come to terms with it. Go to a counselor. Go to support groups, if needed. For me it was not school that really was the issue; it was my chaotic childhood. So school was the icing on the cake of my wounded spirit. I
stuffed all my bad feelings for years--food, other addictive behaviors. Now, going back to the 20th reunion, I wanted to face some things. It was a time of anxiety and anticipation-good and bad. I did confront a few people there--I was passive aggressive about it--and really those kind of "get them back" feeings give one a small moment of satisfaction. After I acted the way that I did, the hurt did not go away (like one thinks it will). After all, the former bullies are going about with their lives. They are not affected by my hurt feelings. So why must I still be miserable over it? I have to ask myself this. Therefore, the road to forgiveness is not for them--it is for me, a gift I can give myself. If you have an issue of not forgiving someone, remember this: For those you have not yet forgiven, they still own you. I don't even have to see those people again to forgive them. Learn what true forgiveness is, and then work through it--that is my best advice. Forgiveness is not, "oh, that is ok. It didn't really bother me" or "they didn't really mean that" or "that's ok, no big deal anymore". Forgiveness is not for them as much as it is for you. And you are worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Literary Balm for a Hurting Soul
Review: This book is a MUST for anyone who is involved in any kind of parenting or leadership of children and teen-agers. Mr. Peretti has bared his soul in order to help prevent another incident such as the Columbine High School massacre. It is also literary balm for victims of bullying or abuse, young and old. There is already a strong following as can be seen by going to the Wounded Spirit web site. I encourage everyone to read this book and pass it on; it is time for a change in how we view and treat other people.
Rating:
Summary: This Book Opens Up Your Spirit
Review: This book opens up the wounds you have in your own life. It tells you how to self-exam your personal wounds and how to comfort them. Peretti gives a vivid description of his abused and bullyed childhood. Most importantly he explains how to deal with the wounds that are left with this problem. This book is a must for teacher,parents,pastors, and students! As a high school student, I can say that these events of bullying described in Peretti's book, occur everyday in the halls of my school. After reading this book I have become more vigilant of how I treat others. I am now trying to live a "golden rule" life. I want to treat others fairly so I will be treated fairly too.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and helpful
Review: This book was great! I sincerely think that everyone who works with children and teenagers should read this book. It is also great reading material for teenagers. I think if more people would read it, it would help them to understand that all people are valuable and it doesn't make a person taller if they make someone smaller. Everyone all around gets hurt.
Rating:
Summary: THIS BOOK OPENS UP YOUR SPIRIT
Review: This book will open up your spirit. This book tells you how to self-examine your wounds and how to comfort them. Peretti gives a vivid description of his abused and bullyed childhood. Most importantly, he tells how to comfort and seek help for the wounds that have been caused by this problem. It is a must for teachers, parents, pastors, and especially students! As a high school student, I can say that the bullying described in Peretti's book, sadly takes place in the halls of my school everyday. This book will encourage you to become more vigilant of others. After reading this book, you'll definately want to live a more "golden rule" life.
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