BFF: A Story About Bullycide by Lindsey G. P. Bell

Release: July 23rd 2020
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Publisher: Lindsey G. P. Bell
Source: Rockstar Book Tours
Find it at: 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.

About the Author:

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.

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 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.

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BFF: A Story About Bullycide Review:

“BFF: A Story About Bullycide” is a touching, middle-grade realistic fiction that touches on bullying and suicide, and it made me cry.

Let me start by saying I loved the story’s theme. As someone bullied in school, I could relate to Abby and Hollis. Abby and Hollis share a wonderful friendship, and I loved how they got to know each other. The author touches on many subjects, like autism and bullying, which I felt blended well. Stick is another memorable character, and I thought it was interesting how Abby initially reacted to her.

Moreover, I loved how the author depicted the natural beauty of where Abby moves in and the scenes where they try to capture a Heron. Even Abby’s relationship with her father was beautiful, and I liked how he added a touch of humor to the tale. The author wrote the dynamics and emotions with all the characters realistically that made you emotionally connect with them.

However, the only concern I had with the tale is how it ended. While I appreciate how realistically the author depicted the story, it would have been nice to see people like Lexie get their comeuppance. Also, at times, I felt that the story shifted tangent. In the beginning, the plot focuses more on Abby and her dad adjusting to the new house, with a possible mystery of the footprints, alligators, and the woman in the train car. However, the story shifts focus in the latter half to only Hollis and Abby.

Apart from that, “BFF: A Story About Bullycide” is a tale I feel teens should read because it would help them understand how bullying could harm someone and be more empathetic towards people.

Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC, International

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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!