BFF: A STORY ABOUT BULLYCIDE
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the BFF: A STORY ABOUT BULLYCIDE by Lindsey G. P. Bell Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!
About the Book:
Title: BFF: A STORY ABOUT BULLYCIDE
Author: Lindsey G. P. Bell, Katena Utena (Illustrator)
Pub. Date: July 23, 2020
Publisher: Lindsey G. P. Bell
Formats: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Pages: 256
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, B&N, Kobo, TBD, Bookshop.org
Thirteen-year-old Abby and her father have just moved from a leaky old sailboat in California to an inherited mansion in South Carolina, and Abby does not fit in. This is the story of the summer adventures she shares with new best friend, Hollis, and two boys from their class rescuing an injured heron. But when school begins, Abby is shocked to learn that Hollis is a bullied outcast…who, pushed to the limit, takes her own life—a phenomenon known as bullycide. BFF attempts to portray that being targeted doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with you, suicide is NOT the answer, and if you’re struggling, tell as many people as necessary until you get help. You are interesting and worth it.
Reviews:
“Both adult and teen readers will be moved by this poignant story and find it a valuable resource in discussing and countering bullying. Great for fans of Jennifer Niven’s All the Bright Places, Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why.”- BookLife by Publishers Weekly
“5 Stars!”- Readers’ Favorite
“BFF: A Story About Bullycide touches on the perils of teen depression, bullying, and suicide. Told in Bell’s lyrical and unique voice, this story is a compelling read for teens and parents of teens.”- Leigh Medeiros, Author of The 1-Minute Writer
“As a mom I was concerned about the appropriateness for my children, but upon completion of BFF found myself wanting all kids to read this to understand the gravity of their actions. Bell takes a subject that can be controversial and weaves a beautiful story. You will fall in love with the main character and be immersed in every page. I would recommend this book to everyone—adults and children alike!”- Anneliese Tomlinson, CFI and mother of two teenagers
Book Trailer:
Scene POV change BFF: A Story About Bullycide
By Lindsey G. P. Bell
Chapter 33; the bus bullying scene from Connor’s POV (why he never helps Hollis later on):
Did they catch the heron? I wondered, until Hollis quit hugging Abby, shoved her arm toward me, and squealed, “Look what Abby made me!”
A pink and orange friendship bracelet with the string all woven into an intricate diamond pattern was tied around her wrist. It was pretty enough that for half a second, I wished it were mine. “You made that?” I reached out and touched the bracelet. “Good job, California.” I grinned at Abby, wishing I were craftier. “Trent said we’re going to try to get the heron one last time Friday night. We still on?”
Both girls said, “Yes,” then laughed at the same time. It was funny.
A split second later, the bus sped by and skidded to a stop a good country mile past us—like Mr. Dawson was as disinclined to pick us up as we were to get on. And he was grinning like a possum eating a sweet potato.
I let the girls board first, then climbed the steps and slid my loafers over the shiny new rubber flooring, pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to be slippery.
Near halfway, I threw myself into the row across from Abby. When no-one was looking, I turned to the window and shoved my last Bulls-Eye into my mouth. If we don’t catch the heron…Trent will never forgive himself. And with football season starting, I’m hardly going to see him. I let out a heavy breath. We’ve just got to catch it….
When we stopped on the next street, several kids got on. I could feel somebody looming above me in the aisle, and before I could look, the smell of Lexie’s hairspray burned my nose. She exclaimed, “My oh my! Creepy Hollis Wickwire finally has a friend! Frighteningly Freckled Freak finally found a friend! Someone should alert the press!”
Either Hollis or Abby whispered something, but I couldn’t make out what it was.
What is wrong with her? She’s always sniping at Hollis for one thing or the other. I rolled my eyes. “Cut it out, Lexie.”
Her head whipped around, and she sneered down at me. “Or what? You going to get your boyfriend to make me, sissy boy?”
It took me a second to register what she’d said, and then it was like I’d been struck by lightning.
The thought of the other kids hearing such an abomination made me want to get up and run, but the bus door squeaked shut, so I turned to the window and stared out at sweet, little Mrs. McGillicutty, who was hunched over her walker as her equally-hunched husband held her up by the seat of her pants.
My heart was pounding.
And I could feel my eyes getting hot like I might cry. But Connell men don’t cry. Of course, I wasn’t exactly like the rest of the Connell men, but I wasn’t going to cry on the bus.
I’m NOT a sissy!
And I DON’T have a boyfriend!
You don’t know anything, Lexie Cross!
Trent and I are just friends. I just really, really like him. That’s all.
Then Lexie coughed out the word “Gay!” and I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, wishing to high Heaven I’d never tried to help…and vowing that I would never do it again.
About Lindsey G. P. Bell:
Lindsey G. P. Bell’s life has been as exciting and full of adventure as one of her books. Born to a father named Peter and a mother called Wendy, she was very nearly named Tinker Bell. It was the first of many bullets she would go on to dodge.
As a young child in Washington, D.C., her great loves were the Smithsonian Institution’s museums of Natural History and Air and Space. Ms. Bell’s earliest life dreams were to someday live in a natural history museum and fly airplanes.
Ms. Bell attended Pepperdine University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts.
While working in wildlife rescue, a friend introduced her to the now-late Grizzly Man, Timothy Treadwell. Tim and Ms. Bell began dating, and he invited her to join him camping with the wild brown bears, foxes, weasels, wolves and moose in the remote Alaskan wilderness. There, her love of seaplanes and all things natural shone. She was blessed to swim with wild bears, have mother bears (sows) nurse their cubs nearby (they purr!), and play something akin to Capture the Flag with red foxes. After spending portions of two summers in the wilderness with Tim, she embarked on three solo expeditions whereupon she’d spend her nights copiously journaling the day’s adventures. This felt like living in a natural history museum, and the discipline of writing daily led to penning her first children’s book.
Ms. Bell went on to earn her pilot’s license and sea-plane rating, and soon realized her true love lay in flying aerobatics (spins, loops, rolls…).
After dabbling in weathercasting, acting, and improv, Ms. Bell began poking the stand-up comedy bear. Though she enjoys writing the material more than performing it, she can still occasionally be found around Los Angeles at open mics.
In addition to BFF: A Story About Bullycide, she’s completed drafts of seven children’s books, a novella, and three non-fiction volumes detailing her Alaska expeditions. Between 2004 – 2006 she co-wrote a screenplay about the late Grizzly Man with Rebecca Dmytryk. An article about it appeared in the November 16, 2006 edition of the Malibu Surfside News. Her spoof essay on The Lorax was published in the October 2013 edition of Writer’s Digest. And in 2019, her short story The Call, The Call of Duty, and The Call Home placed ninth (out of fifty finalists) in the Inspirational category of the Writer’s Digest Annual Contest. She is currently working on a thriller.
Website | Facebook | Goodreads
Giveaway Details:
1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International.
Tour Schedule:
Week One:
| 1/31/2022 | Rockstar Book Tours | Kickoff Post |
| 1/31/2022 | Two Chicks on Books | Excerpt |
| 2/1/2022 | YABooksCentral | Guest Post |
| 2/1/2022 | @meetcuteromancebooks | Excerpt/IG Post |
| 2/2/2022 | Mythical Books | Guest Post/IG Post |
| 2/2/2022 | Log Cabin Library | Excerpt |
| 2/3/2022 | BookHounds | Guest Post/IG Post |
| 2/3/2022 | The Momma Spot | Excerpt |
| 2/4/2022 | Rajiv’s Reviews | Review/IG Post |
| 2/4/2022 | @jaimerockstarbooktour | IG Post |
Week Two:
| 2/7/2022 | More Books Please blog | Review/IG Post |
| 2/7/2022 | Thoughts on Books | Review/IG Post |
| 2/8/2022 | @coffeesipsandreads | Review/IG Post |
| 2/8/2022 | #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee Blog | Review/IG Post |
| 2/9/2022 | Coffee and Wander Book Reviews | Review/IG Post |
| 2/9/2022 | Wottaread | Excerpt |
| 2/10/2022 | @enjoyingbooksagain | Review/IG Post |
| 2/10/2022 | Prison Wife Reviews | Review/IG Post |
| 2/11/2022 | Fire and Ice | Review |
| 2/11/2022 | Jaime’s Book World | Excerpt |
My stepdaughter had to be pulled out of school due to bullying, and I believe this would be a great tool for us both.
Hi Mya,
I’m saddened to hear this. I hope my book can at least open the door to discuss the icky, painful stuff. If you guys read it and have feedback, please feel free to message me through my website: http://www.lindseygpbell.com. I’m considering writing a companion book from the bully’s POV, and am actively wondering what I can include that I’ve missed with this book.
This book looks intriguing
Thank you :^).
Thank goodness the author dodged the bullet of being nearly named Tinker Bell
Not sure if you’re being serious, but I can tell you I’m extremely grateful 🙏🏼!
I loved reading your bio so much! I want your life experiences. You were so lucky to work with Grizzly Man, Timothy Treadwell.
Thanks, Audrey! My time with Tim was magical. I was going to publish my journals years ago, but my test readers didn’t like them…and after thinking back to when I read Tim’s book (Among Grizzlies by Timothy Treadwell and Jewel Palovak)–before ever going with him–I understood. If you haven’t been there, it’s nearly impossible to mentally distinguish one brushy corner of wilderness from another and by the time you’re hearing about bear encounter #36, it’s boring 🤣..
Sounds like an interesting book.
Thank you for taking the time to check it out!
This sounds like one that will keep me interested and reading and I love the cover too.
Thanks, Heather! I’m glad you like the cover!!! It’s the main characters drawing Abby’s Science text book cover on the front and a reference to Hollis’ final gift on the back. I’d planned to have several artists design cover art and then chose, but when this gal came back with this…I knew I had “it”.
The author has experience writing in numerous different genres.
Aaaand next: A South Korean Cookbook. Just kidding! I am SURE no-one wants to eat my cooking ;^).
This book sounds good
Thank you, Angelica!
This sounds like a great book about a very important topic for children today.
Thanks, Bonnie. I hope it’s helpful.
Sounds like a great book about an important topic
Thank you, Shelly! 🦋
This sounds like a wonderful book. I love that it addresses an important issue.
Thank you for taking the time to post this :^) :^) :^).
Can’t wait to read it!
Hi DeAnna,
I hope you love it! Either way, feel free to message me through my website (www.lindseygpbell.com) as I’m considering writing a companion piece from the bully’s POV and am interested in what people would like to see included/excluded.
Sounds like a good book to read.
Thanks, Sharon 🌈
Great book for the little ones.
I hope reading BFF allows for families/classes to talk about different healthy ways to handle the many sensitive subjects I tried to include.
Do you have a favorite way to relax?
I wrestle alligators and compete in venomous snake husbandry when I want to unwind. Truthfully, writing is my very favorite relaxing pastime, followed closely by gardening 😀. Having a black thumb allows for a LOT of time spent gardening 😆.
This sounds like a great book, thank you for sharing
Thank YOU for taking the time to peruse the post and comment! 🌞
The blurb gave me a flashback to my nightmare childhood in the public school system- and I really rather not remember it.
🤗
An important subject to highlight.
Just yesterday I read about another grade schooler who had taken his life in the face of bullying. I hope BFF can open the door for people to openly discuss the myriad of things that push kids to that decision.
cute cover
Thank you!
Love the cover
Thanks!!! It’s nice to hear this!
Can’t wait to read
Thank you for the curiosity! I hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for the excerpt. This sounds like a wonderful YA read.
You’re most welcome! Thank you for the kind words :^) :^) :^).
looks like a fun one
The first half is fun–I did that so readers would fall in love with Hollis. The second half unpacks a lot of sensitive stuff. If you happen to read it, feel free to message me through my website (www.lindseygpbell.com) to let me know what you liked or didn’t like. I’m considering writing a companion piece through the bully’s POV and am curious what people need to find between the covers.
I, too, had misgivings about sharing this book with young teens, but after reading the article and the comments, it sounds like it is a valuable resource. It would be a good trigger for small group discussion. I have a 10 year old granddaughter who is having issues with being bullied. I will be checking this book to see if she is ready for it. I will then let my daughter see it and check with the granddaughter’s counselor. Bullying and suicide are getting to be such major issues.
I hate that these books are necessary.
I agree one-million percent.
Hi Patricia. I’m sorry your granddaughter is having a rough time. I remember those days, myself, and how hard I worked to convince my mother that I was too sick to go to school so I could simply get through the day feeling safe. When you/your daughter/your granddaughter’s counselor read BFF, feel free to message me through my website (www.lindseygpbell.com) with any feedback. I’m considering writing a companion piece through the bully’s POV and am curious what people resonate with or object to. Thank you for posting. I wish your granddaughter a better year ahead 💖.