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January 9, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Editor's note: For a 300-dpi digitized photo of Michael Thompson, e-mail Marti Hobbes at mhobbes@smith.edu.

Teasing, Bullying, Popularity and Friendship:
Noted Authors to Discuss the Social Lives of Children in Free Lecture

NORTHAMPTON, Mass.-Michael Thompson and Catherine O'Neill Grace will discuss "Mom, They're Teasing Me-Friendship, Popularity and Social Cruelty: The Role of Parents" at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 28, in Smith College's Helen Hills Hills Chapel.


Co-authors of "Best Friends, Worst Enemies: Understanding the Social Lives of Children" and its companion book "Mom, They're Teasing Me: Helping Your Child Solve Social Problems," Thompson and Grace will focus on childhood relationships and the ways in which parents can reach a deeper understanding of the motives and meanings of their children's social behavior.


Thompson writes that his goal as a popular writer in psychology is "to increase people's understanding of what they already know," to explain rather than describe. In "Mom, They're Teasing Me," the authors address parents' concerns by offering advice about rejection, bullying and cliques. The question-and-answer format and comprehensive case studies provide parents with a practical, how-to guide to help children with specific social problems at school and in their neighborhoods.


Friendship forms an integral part of social relationships and is important to children as well as their parents and teachers. "This is the only topic on which I've gotten the undivided attention of middle-schoolers," says Thompson. "When faced with social cruelty, having a friend or two can save you."


Thompson is a consultant, author and psychologist specializing in children and families. He is the co-author of the New York Times bestseller "Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys," "Speaking of Boys: Answers to the Most-Asked Questions About Raising Sons" and "Finding the Heart of the Child."


Grace is a former elementary, middle and high school English teacher and has served as editor of Independent School magazine. For 15 years she wrote a column in the Washington Post for young readers about health and psychology and is also the author of numerous nonfiction books for children. She is currently writing a history of the White House for children.


The lecture is open to the public at no charge and wheelchair accessible. Sponsoring schools include: Amherst Montessori School, Bement School, Common School, Greenfield Center School, Hartsbrook School, Hilltop Montessori School, Northampton Montessori School and the Smith College Campus School, all of which are members of the Pioneer Valley Independent Elementary School Association.


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