Heather J. H. (neongreengeisha) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 37 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
I'm with the other person that said this story seems a bit far-fetched. While I appreciate the idea behind the book, about wanting to help other people, I don't particularly believe that everything in this book is true. I was bullied severely in school, to the point that I dropped out of high school. The abuse was hardly ever physical. The abusers usually don't want to do anything by mentally beat you down. Thats why I find some of the physical abuse in this book hard to believe.
The whole story seems like some sort of fantasy she was having. Going to Greece and "finding" herself and the school reunion and all that fluff just seems like some sort of fairy tale going on in her head. It isn't likely that this story is true, so don't fall for it.
The whole story seems like some sort of fantasy she was having. Going to Greece and "finding" herself and the school reunion and all that fluff just seems like some sort of fairy tale going on in her head. It isn't likely that this story is true, so don't fall for it.
Lisa L. (taaza) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 56 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Interesting look into middle school/high school bullying. Some of the author's accounts are so vicious, they seem to be exaggerated, but then I grew up in a small town, so who's to say? Her teacher actually cut down mentally challenged individuals, C'mon now...so hard to believe! The author apparently thinks highly of herself now, and is quite accomplished. The high school reunion account was a bit nauseating.
Franchesca M. (short-angry14) -
Helpful Score: 4
I honestly could not finish reading this book. Not that I condone bullying in any form, but, the author honestly made me feel like I started to think she might be climbing up on a cross a little. A third of they way through the book I simply said "Ok, seriously? Enough already." My heart goes out to anyone who is abused in any way, shape or form, however, if your peers are relentlessly picking on you every single day, why would you supply them with ample amounts of ammunition to (in their minds) justify their actions? Very disappointing read.
Helpful Score: 3
This book shows alot of what goes on in schools today and the true life of alot of kids now a days that their family and close friends if any do not know about. extreme bullying is hidden, left untouched by everyone and cruel.It is was a heart wrenching book about a girl who had friends but was not popular because she was a sweetheart..which kids just try to fit in and be the "cool" kids. It was sad to read but was a great read. read it twice!
Mary S. (MaryMary) -
Helpful Score: 3
It is unbelievable how cruel kids can be! I think this book should be read by every parent and teacher, so they know how serious bullying can be.
Karin J. (kjessen55) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Very troubling account of 'bullying' in school. Written from personal experience. Not that well written at times but the content is riveting.
Karen W. (Karen88) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 102 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Quick read. The book is a very interesting topic. I felt like it was written as a children's/teen book but it was still worth the read. Brings back those painful angst years!
Alexis M. (phantomninja) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is a quick read and not extremely well-written. However, the points that Blanco makes are extremely important. This should be a must-read for teenagers, both those that bully and those that are bullied. People need to know the consequences of their actions and that you can overcome bad things happening to you.
Maggie T. (MaggieT) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is an incredible book that should be required reading for all school administrators, teachers and social workers. It was highly recommended to me by the teen (appearing very attractive and confident) that checked out my purchase. Goes to show you that every child experiences some form of bullying at some point in thier young lives.
This book was a disappointment. I sort of felt this girl egged on her tormentors to some extent, but if what she wrote was true, it's horrifying. I just doubt that everything was as brutal as she described it. The writing is sophomoric, and she makes mistakes - she mispelled the name of the town Champaign, Illinois as "Champagne" - not a mistake I expect to be made by someone who is supposedly as accomplished as she is. I cannot see how this is a best seller...
Helpful Score: 2
A moving, harrowing memoir of one woman's teenage experience of being taunted and brutalised by her schoolmates.
Beth M. (Missmommy19) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
It was an interesting book, very quickly read. It does a good job of portraying the hurtfulness of bullying and I am glad the author has made something positive of it. I find it a little hard to believe that a crippled, wheelchair-bound teacher would humiliate the special ed students in front of his entire class though..... And the author herself admits that she kept falling for the fake kindness shown to her by her attackers, and she fell for it every time.
WANDA C. (rubuhroom) -
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent recounting of school bullying from grammar school through high school. Every teacher out there needs to read this!
Glenda F. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I recommend this book to all parents and also to anyone who was bullied or who realizes he/she was a bully in past years. Since she went through it - and survived - Ms. Blanco offers not only her story but insight into what does and does not help kids who are tormented. Some of the events are appalling - how can people be so horrible to someone because she's "different" - and show just how important it is (for some) to be accepted by their peers, even when it means hurting others. The ending, although happy, is surprising when you find out how the events are remembered by the bullies.
Helpful Score: 1
this book was amazing. i really wanted to read it because it took place really close to my neighborhood and my dad knew a lot of the people that were involved in this. it really teaches you about bullying, and what causes it. i will read this book again and again because i love it. (:
Helpful Score: 1
The descriptions of the abuse this woman suffered as a child were heartfelt and compelling. I found myself drawn into her story and kept asking why? When you see that she was only trying to do the right thing but kept getting shot down you begin to cheer for her. You wanted her to win over the bullies and be part of the "in" crowd. The more abuse she suffered the more she began to fight. I found the book very hard to put down and wanted to see a good outcome in the end.
Kim G. (knappkim) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 12 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a must for teachers and parent.
Jeannette B. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I cannot put into words how important this book was to me. As someone who was severely teased as a child, this book helped me heal, even now as I turn 34! I would recommend this book to anyone who has ever been teased in school, or who did the teasing. A wonderful read.
Tammy P. (bookluver-in-sc) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 229 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
A true story about a girl bullied in school and how she learned to survive.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a wonderful book about being bullied. It is a must read for any parent, so that they can know what is going on in their child's school.
Helpful Score: 1
Absolutely, a must read! Probably one of the best books I have ever read.
PAM L. (Iluvgoldens) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 104 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very sad and poignant look at bullying and it's effects...and one woman's struggle to overcome. She goes on the become a very well adjusted and successful woman.
K. K. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 68 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Exceptional honesty is the hallmark of this book. Her fear of being hurt is so touching. I think many have suffered for reaching out to others. Once adults get past that it is something they are insensitive for those presently dealing with it. Great book for adults and teens.
Tanya F. (TanyaMT) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 61 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is one of the best and most moving books I have read this year. The author shares a story that is horrifying regarding the abuse and degradation she suffered throughout her school years from classmates, a topic that desperately needs to be highlighted more often.
Missy B. (k9kutter64) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 167 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Jodee Blanco went through most of her adolescent years being teased terribly, but became a stronger person because of it. Loved the ending.
Samantha L. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 8 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"Please Stop Laughing At Me" will do for survivors of school bullying what "A Child Called 'It'" did for child abuse. A good book for anyone in or past junior high.
Helpful Score: 1
Amazing. I couldn't put it down. This book is a tear jerker and inspirational. I loved it.
Hannah C. (landonsmama) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 51 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I read this in two days. I had a hard time putting it down. It's an eye-opening look into bullying.
Jessica S. (TheQueen13) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 4 more book reviews
I read this book in junior high and it changed my life. It is touching and heart felt as well as honest and eye opening, mirroring the kinds of things I was dealing with at the time. It is my personal opinion that every teenager in highschool should read this book to give them a real impression of what people go through being bullied. This book helped me survive junior high and my first year of highschool. It is brilliantly presented, well worded, and makes you feel as if you really know the author. I also saw Jodee speak at my junior high and met her personally, she is as amazing a person as you would expect from someone who could write such a great book.
Melissa G. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 3 more book reviews
I loved this book, every parent or student should read this book! I found myself remembering both sides, I have been that bully and I have been the child being bullied! It made me sad for both, sad that I was a victim and sadder still that I victimized someone else..... I have 2 children in high school and I talk openly with them every day about this, thankfully, our school disctrict has a very open policy of zero tolerance to any form of hazing, or harrassment!
I will share this book with everyone I know!
I will share this book with everyone I know!
Like some of the other reviewers, I had a hard time believing anyone would or could endure this much torment and physical abuse. ( I was verbally bullied by kids for a few years which is why I wanted to read this book) Nowadays,the cops would intervene, the principals would be put before the board, the parents would be sued and the school board members would cover it up and make amends real fast!
It was actually painful to keep reading this. I have the feeling Jodee left a LOT out.
Furthermore, after enduring all that abuse, she goes to her High school reunion and the former bullies suddenly turn into saints because they have a memory block and cant remember how cruel they were to Jodee!
It was actually painful to keep reading this. I have the feeling Jodee left a LOT out.
Furthermore, after enduring all that abuse, she goes to her High school reunion and the former bullies suddenly turn into saints because they have a memory block and cant remember how cruel they were to Jodee!
Brodi W. (farfella68) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 84 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book. I know that other people who wrote reviews said that it couldn't have been that bad for her, but I know first hand how fast it can get out of control. I also had rocks and dirt clods thrown at me when I was in high school. Kids would push me into lockers or throw things at my car. I finally cracked one day when a kid through a rock at the windshield of my car and broke it. I got out of the car, ran him down, and punched him as hard as I could in the face. No one really bothered me after that. I didn't go to a large school either. My school was a K-12 school where I graduated out of a class of 26 students. Even now, after 8 years, if I see someone I graduated with, I get really anxious and upset. This book brought back bad memories, but I always knew that I wasn't the only one hurt by high school bullies.
Darris B. (imperfectveganmama) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 13 more book reviews
I (also) could not finish this book. I read two thirds and then decided I was wasting my time. I am a mom of a teenager and bullying is a subject we've often discussed. This is a subject all parents should be talking to their kids about throughout their school years.
I found this book way 'off balance'at best. Anyone who paints a picture of themselves as always the innocent is suspect in my mind. There are far better books out there to educate someone about abuse. My two recommendations would be: 'The Emotionally Abusive Relationship' by Patricia Evans and 'Emotional Blackmail' by Susan Forward.
I found this book way 'off balance'at best. Anyone who paints a picture of themselves as always the innocent is suspect in my mind. There are far better books out there to educate someone about abuse. My two recommendations would be: 'The Emotionally Abusive Relationship' by Patricia Evans and 'Emotional Blackmail' by Susan Forward.
Darlean M. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 20 more book reviews
While I hate even the thought of bullying and think no one deserves to be bullied for any reason - I can't get over her undertone throughout the book I have the "impression" after reading this that she always thought she was better than everyone else. Like she was the only one doing anything right - the moral compass to the world.
And while I wouldn't be mean to someone like that I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to be nice to them... It also really sounds like she does over-embellish the issues, even if they are all true, when she writes it out I have a hard time not thinking she is a bit crazy.
It's also hard for me to understand her self image issues, because all she talked about was her crushes on boys. It's like I hate myself but look I'm normal because I still have crushes on boys not just any boys but the "popular in-crowd hot boys". And while I'm not a psychiatrist I think most people with self image issues aren't worried that a boy will like them. They don't feel good about themselves so they try to avoid the situation completely. I think her issue was more "I'm great why don't you like me as much as I like myself?"
I was really disappointed with her message at the end of the book -> everything that happened to me was ok because it made me this strong amazing person who excelled in business???? I doubt she ever thought she wasn't amazing a day in her life. You don't just smile 20 years later and say it's OK guys you like me now so it's all good? are you kidding me? I think her lack of personal relationships is probably a better testament to how well she really coped with this abuse, yet she glosses that over with I got to drink beers with the high school hottie at the 20 year class reunion?
And even though she says she let it go she's still trying to prove she's better than everyone else by adding her professional bio to the back of the book .....for real?
The whole book left a bad taste in my mouth - I think bullying is a real issue and a very important one - but this book does nothing to help with that issue!
I enjoyed reading the reviews of this book more than I liked reading the book. I can actually feel the painful experiences in some of those comments.
This book probably would have been much better if she had a professional write it for her because for me her personality came across in a very bad way. One that was much worse than the subject at hand.
And while I wouldn't be mean to someone like that I certainly wouldn't go out of my way to be nice to them... It also really sounds like she does over-embellish the issues, even if they are all true, when she writes it out I have a hard time not thinking she is a bit crazy.
It's also hard for me to understand her self image issues, because all she talked about was her crushes on boys. It's like I hate myself but look I'm normal because I still have crushes on boys not just any boys but the "popular in-crowd hot boys". And while I'm not a psychiatrist I think most people with self image issues aren't worried that a boy will like them. They don't feel good about themselves so they try to avoid the situation completely. I think her issue was more "I'm great why don't you like me as much as I like myself?"
I was really disappointed with her message at the end of the book -> everything that happened to me was ok because it made me this strong amazing person who excelled in business???? I doubt she ever thought she wasn't amazing a day in her life. You don't just smile 20 years later and say it's OK guys you like me now so it's all good? are you kidding me? I think her lack of personal relationships is probably a better testament to how well she really coped with this abuse, yet she glosses that over with I got to drink beers with the high school hottie at the 20 year class reunion?
And even though she says she let it go she's still trying to prove she's better than everyone else by adding her professional bio to the back of the book .....for real?
The whole book left a bad taste in my mouth - I think bullying is a real issue and a very important one - but this book does nothing to help with that issue!
I enjoyed reading the reviews of this book more than I liked reading the book. I can actually feel the painful experiences in some of those comments.
This book probably would have been much better if she had a professional write it for her because for me her personality came across in a very bad way. One that was much worse than the subject at hand.
Jenny D. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 3 more book reviews
Thought that this is a sad reality of what happens in our schools. A must read for those who work with teens or have teens.
Sharon D. (dulcimer42) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 107 more book reviews
This is a true story of a young girl who endured being an outcast, reject and target of bullying throughout her elementary and high school years. I could not imagine living through the experiences she had to suffer through. The scary thing is, this is happening daily in many of our schools. Kids are the targets of other kids unkindness..... just because those other kids are trying to appear cool and gain the admiration of their friends. How she made it through all of this and how she managed to become a highly respected author and publisher makes this a book you will find difficult to lay down. And if you have a teen who is experiencing this kind of bullying, this might be a good book of ideas on coping and of hope for the future. I HIGHLY recommend this book!
Ann P. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 7 more book reviews
If you have ever been the victim of bullying - you can totally relate to this book. I think it is an excellent book to have teens read that may be going through similar experiences to let them know, they are not alone.
KaeLee N. (soraidh) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 20 more book reviews
This was quite the powerful book. I was reminded again that everyone in high school has something to deal with. Some of us have harder things than others. More than a few times during my reading of this book I said a prayer of thanks to whomever was listening that my life was never threatened, that I was never attacked physically, and that I had an understanding Mother who didn't seem to think the problem was with me. Still, I have my scars from childhood and high school; my scars though are emotional rather than physical in nature.
Ann Marie U. (hallelujaheart) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 96 more book reviews
This book will make you shake your head in disgust at how kids can get away with bullying like this and how the school systems close their eyes and see the outcast as the one to blame.
Keri (TXGrobanite) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 270 more book reviews
Excellent book-read like a regular YA book and I finished in a day...looking forward to more from this author in the future.
cdayzee reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 113 more book reviews
very good book. what amazed me the most was how everyone welcomed her w/ open arms to her reunions and how they didnt think what they'd done to her was that bad. Sad. ppl just dont realize how their actions can affect someone for life.
Sandra F. (matsmom) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 32 more book reviews
This is a very insightful look into the sociological world of elementary through high school students. I identified with Jodee's inability to fit in with her classmates and remembered feeling the same hurt, embarrassment, and loneliness she experienced. This book should be required reading in high schools across the country. Perhaps if more young people could see how their comments and actions affect others, then possibly there would not be as much cruelty exhibited by students. This is probably one of the biggest reasons we have had so many school tragedies such as Columbine.
Libby S. (Libratsie) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 344 more book reviews
Very powerful. This book will speak to all of us who were bullied during our school years. So "true" that it brought back some uncomfortable memories.
Robin R. (rchyrch) -
I read this book it all one sitting...I couldnt put it down!
Pamela B. reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 4 more book reviews
Very timely and interesting.
Michelle S. (reader4ever) reviewed Please Stop Laughing at Me: One Woman's Inspirational Story on + 20 more book reviews
I never got around to reading, so I have no idea if it was any good.
Didn't read.
