BULLY AT AMBUSH CORNER

Every day after school, Tink is waiting at Ambush Corner to use Rocky for a punching bag. He can't tell his parents. His father will order him to stand up for himself and to fight back. His mother, worried that Rocky will break a finger and not be able to play his viola in the upcoming music competition, will forbid him to fight. What neither parent knows is that Rocky thinks fighting is stupid and that he has decided to become a pacifist, a secret Rocky is keeping even from his best friend, Mario, who might not approve of Rocky's wish to be peaceable. Rocky tries all sorts of plans to end the bullying without success, even recruiting his older sister, who steps in only to make the situation worse. Eventually, however, Rocky's music teacher helps him understand Tink's behavior, which gives Rocky a new idea to try, one that might end the daily bullying, gain his father's approval, and still allow him to be a pacifist. Links to resources about bullying and a Discussion Guide are included.