Book Spotlight: Bullied (The Academy Series) by J.D. Jacobs

At The Academy for Girls, there is one girl who holds the key to social acceptance in her hands. Katrina. When sixteen-year-old Ricey Kennedy arrives at The Academy, she is instantly branded a non-Academy Girl. Nobody dares to make an enemy of Katrina, and so the class either join in her mission to destroy, or stay silent.

Day after day, the verbal abuse crushes Ricey’s self esteem until she can’t take it anymore; the honey-coated barbs, the loneliness, the constant feeling that she is worthless. But then Ricey starts babysitting for Jessica Fox’s children. Jessica soon becomes a friend and mentor figure to Ricey. At the same time Ricey meets the charming Tom Wilson at Peter’s Plums fruit store. Tom is fascinated by the shy, smart Ricey who is completely clueless around boys, forever blushing, and has no idea how adorable she is. He is determined to show her how to have some fun. Ricey and Tom’s relationship slowly blossoms (with several hitches—induced by the jealous Katrina—along the way).

As Ricey’s confidence grows, Jessica and Tom encourage Ricey to stop repeating Katrina’s words in her head. To believe in herself. To stand up to Katrina.

Fear is the omnipresent narrator of Bullied. He sweeps in and out of the story, confronting the characters, who remain clueless to his existence. He dares them to face their fears and fight him, while at the same time rooting for them to overcome him.

Bullied intertwines tragedy with humor throughout the book while relaying a positive and powerful message for teens.

You can purchase Bullied via Amazon.