Farmington Sixth-Grader Wrote The Book On Coping With Bullies

FARMINGTON, CT — A few years ago when Caleb Rand was just starting out his elementary school journey in Farmington, a simple ride on the school bus became a stomach-churning horror.

Bullies, pupils Caleb didn't even know, laid siege to his rides to and from school.

It made him miserable and turned a once-joyful part of the school day, riding the bus, into one of misery.

But now, as he prepares to graduate from West Woods Upper Elementary School in Farmington, the sixth-grader wrote the book about how to handle bullies — literally.

That's because Caleb has just had a children's book published called "Never Alone" and it is on sale on Amazon.

It tells the story of "Jeff," another young boy experiencing bullying and its emotional/psychological effects.

The story delves into the character's feelings of hopelessness and isolation, but it ends with a realization about the power kindness can bring.

Caleb recounted to Patch his feelings of being bullied on the school bus when he was a much younger, elementary school-aged child.

" I had friends on the bus, but they just ignored what was occurring. It made my bus rides very sad, upsetting, and scary," he said.

"I brought it to the attention of the bus driver, my teacher, and my mom. At home, I was reminded that I had a community of caring people around me."

While the incidents eventually stopped (as they almost always do), Caleb didn't stop.

He took up the topic of bullying and made it a personal pet project in the form of a book.

That book, which also includes a Q&A along with other activities, is seen as a tool chldren, parents, and educators can use when dealing with the topic of bullying.

And that, Caleb said, is why he wanted to do the book in the first place.

"The purpose in writing my book 'Never Alone' was to express that bullying is a hurtful action that can try to make people feel alone, but that is not really true," he said.

He said the book not only benefits those being bullied, it just might help those doing the bullying as well.

"I believe that this book can not only help those who are bullied but also help the person who bullies to understand some strategies without feeling that he/she is in trouble," Caleb said.

"Finally, for bystanders, they can better understand that a small act of kindness goes a long way." Caleb continued.

"The fun part about the book was writing it because it felt good to let my ideas flow and to communicate a message of hope. The difficult part was realizing that the editing process includes over 90 times of revising. I never knew that."

Caleb's mother, Lauren Rand, could not be prouder of her son.

After all, he took an extremely traumatic experience and made it into a positive and did so in a manner that benefits not just himself, but others.

"I am very proud of Caleb for being brave to address this important issue of bullying. His message of kind actions make a difference during difficult circumstances like bullying, resonant with all ages," Rand said of her son.

"He brings to light the need to be aware of our community with the title Never Alone. By focusing on the important fact that we always have a community surrounding us of friends, family, teachers and neighbors to support us, Caleb focuses on hope and caring."

The 39-page book is recommended for children aged 7-12, and it is available at bookstores and on Amazon.com. It retails for $7.95 and is a paperback.

For more information and to purchase 'Never Alone,' click on this link.