cw// sexual assault, mental health, suicide

Every since I read Who Killed My Daughter? by Lois Duncan--probably a little younger than I should have--I've loved true crime books. When I received a digital copy of BULLIED TO DEATH: A Story Of Bullying, Social Media, And The Suicide Of Sherokee Harriman by Judith A. Yates from NetGalley, I was eager to begin reading. 

BULLIED TO DEATH, which was published in April 2018, pieces together the life and suicide of fourteen-year-old Sherokee (pronounced Cherokee) Harriman in Tennessee. One day, Sherokee walked to her neighborhood park and stabbed herself in front of a group of peers--a group of bullies. Yates then spends the rest of the novel talking about Sherokee's life--including her mental health issues, sexual assault, her home environment, and her struggles in school--and how her death impacted her family, friends and bullies. Throughout the narrative, we are also given posts and poems from Sherokee's social media sites that allude to her lack of self confidence and how other kids treat her at school. 

However, while the cover and book description leads readers to believe that Yates will be discussing how social media and bullying impact today's young people--that is only a very small part of this book. Instead, we get a detailed view of all the horrors and struggles Sherokee dealt with leading up to her suicide, including sexual assault by her mother's boyfriend, how she struggled with bipolar disorder and PTSD, how teachers showed little care in helping her progress academically, and how her family dynamics contributed to her anger issues. Despite the difficult subject matters, BULLIED TO DEATH is a quick and easy read--almost too easy for my tastes; I was able to finish in less than two days. However, the description and the cover definitely sets different expectations for readers and, as someone with an interest in social media and its impacts, was disappointing that BULLIED TO DEATH didn't deliver.

In September 2015, in a public park in LaVergne, Tennessee, fourteen-year-old Sherokee Harriman stabbed herself with a kitchen knife in her stomach as other teens watched. She later died in a hospital, and her death was ruled a suicide. However, since her death happened as a result of extreme bullying, her family attempted to point out the discrepancies.

Bullied To Death is the story of Sherokee Harriman, which is part true crime and part memoir. There is a lot to unload in this book, and it covers the complexity of bullying. There are underlying concerns and issues, such as mental illness, poverty, and abuse. There is how the educational system failed, in part due to being stressed to it limits and being underfunded. The school system with a zero tolerance for bullying policy did nothing to stop it.

In Bullied To Death, the author Judith Yates investigates and describes how bullying occurs and In doing so, she describes the victim Sherokee, vividly. You leave the book knowing this young girl, who endured a whole lot of hell in her short years.

Since my own daughter lived her school life being bullied, this hits home with me in a way that resonates within my inner core. This is a well written, horrifying book that shouldn’t be missed by teachers and anyone who is involved with children.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for a pre-publication ebook in exchange for an honest review.

This book deals with a touchy subject relevant to this generation. It was a very thought provoking book which made me feel sad and frustrated that no one was there for her.. Very well written .

I thank the Netgalley website for this partnership.

On the cover we see Sherokee. It all starts on September 5, 2015 in a public park in Tennessee. Sherokee, 14, stabs a knife in the stomach in front of other young people. Relief can not save her, the police think of suicide. The police will search if she was not harassed or otherwise.

A book read with tears in the eyes especially at the end where the author shows us pictures of her that retrace her life before her death. A moving story well told, we see that the author has done quite a lot of research on the subject. This subject is important to me, how many teenagers commit suicide because they can not stand being harassed and no one is there to support them.

A very well written and detailed account of the life and death of 14 year old Sherokee Harriman. Such a sad and deeply moving story which left me feeling angry, frustrated and heartbroken for the loss of such a young girl.

It’s always tough to read an account about a death of someone at an early age, and this book, though well written, it as tough to read as can be. At the age of fourteen, Sherokee Harriman stuck a knife into her stomach killing herself, which was ruled a suicide. However, there were some definite events, acts, and such that led up to this tragic event, and this book covers them. Sherokee was just another young girl, hoping to get through life, doing her best to succeed, wanting the things in life every other young girl wants. However, there was a lot stacked against Sherokee. She never met her father. Her family was totally dysfunctional. She was in such dire straits that she screamed she was going to kill herself many times before the actual day she did. She also was bullied by classmates and others, to the point where she could no longer take it. It is a difficult book to read, as you constantly wonder what, if anything, could have been done to prevent this loss. After reading the story, I am not sure bullying was the only cause of her death, though it may have been the final straw. In addition to this, I do not think Sherokee had a family life worth having. It is almost as if your worst nightmares have come true, as you read through the life this young girl lived.

The book is well researched and presented. I found it interesting to read about her life and dysfunctional family as well as the bullying, all of which contributed to Sherokee’s actions in the park that fateful day. This is not an easy book to read but it is one that will remain with the reader long after finishing it and can provide some good discussions. The story it tells is very real, believable and current. I think other young persons, as well as educators, parents and the general public should be encouraged to read it because it sends out a much-needed message about what some lives are like today. Definitely not what they used to be like when I was that age. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.

This was a hard book to read. Sherokee was ignored when she asked for help, by her own family, her friends, and her school. This child grew up in a dysfunctional way. Bullying was not the only problem she had to deal with.
Yates did a wonderful job of following Sherokee's story. She did a lot of background work on her story. She also included tons of information for anyone considering suicide, or those being bullied.
I was disappointed in the fact that the story didn't really make it clear exactly what happened with Sherokee on the day the stabbing occurred. Were the other children involved? Did someone else do this to her? I guess we will never know because she is not here to tell us. It is a sad ending to a sad story.

Teen suicide is always a tough subject and I think this author managed to effectively bring awareness not only to bullying but also to question a lot of underlying issues that may have contributed to this teen's horrifying solution. Very well researched account of the life and untimely death of Sherokee. A real eye opener, not only to bullying but also to mental illness, cracks in the system and a young girl who desperately wanted to fit in.
#BulliedtoDeath #NetGalley

I received this book from
Netgalley for an honest review..

This is a good and ultimately very depressing book. Sherokee was dealt a poor hand from birth. She seemed to not really have had a chance to live a normal life. From one poor situation to another, she seemed doomed from the start. I have 3 girls and this book terrifies me. Well researched and eye opening that kids can be so nasty and cruel.

This book was so heart-breaking. Yes, Sherokee Harriman. Her home life was not the best, her school life was not the best. This book gives a poignant look at what bullying can result in. And it is very tragic. I could not tear myself away from this book. The writing draws you in and makes you feel for Ms Sherokee. That to me is a sign of a well written book. Bullying, mental issues as well as abuse withing the family is all addressed in this book. This book should be read by all parents,either of children being bullied or the parents of the ones doing the bullying. I pray Ms. Harriman finds in her senseless death, the peace she did not find here on Earth. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this well written book in return for my honest review.

Sherokee Harriman was 14. She had a family including an adoring older sister and a best friend Katie. She liked pink and teen stars whose pictures were all over her walls. She was also being bullied. Bullied so much that she took her own life one fall September day.

This book was heartbreaking to read. Sherokee had so much riding against her since the very beginning of her young life. Never meeting her father and having a dysfunctional mother and family, she really didn't have much of a chance. Sherokee just wanted what everyone wants. She just wanted to belong, have friends, and a boy to love her. She wanted her own room and nice clothes but they could never afford them.

"Bullied to Death" is well written and detailed. A lot of research went into the writing of the book giving us an understanding of Sherokee's life with no sugar coating. Her bullying was in many forms and went on for years. How does that happen? How was she bullied for years with no one putting an end to it? Reading the story of her short life from beginning to end is eye opening to the reality of what is happening with many children and making us aware of the damage bullying costs. Without that awareness, it will continue. While reading the book and getting to know Sherokee though, I am left with the question of suicide or was it something else?

This book should be one that is made available to school students and talked about in classes showing how bullying hurts and how devastating it can be; it isn't just kids fooling around.

Although this was not a happy topic by any means, it a good book, well worth the read. I received this book free from net galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I received this book from Net Galley for a honest review.only. I read stories or hear about children hurting themselves or others due to being bullied. It has always happened but there was no way to cyber bully anyone years before Facebook, MySpace and multiple other forums. I don't think this is being taken as seriously as it should be. There is so much talk about kids being kids. This story is about Sherokee a 14 year old who was bullied to death. . Bullicide is a new term for me, but it fits the situation. When Sherokee's phone was checked there were messages that were inappropriate for any child to get. This story is a wake-up call for all parents, schools and social media.

Hmm.. I don't know where to start. I guess I'll first say that the story of Sherokee's life and untimely death is utterly horrible. Reading about her home life and what lead up to her suicide it tragic and heartbreaking. My rating of the book has nothing to do with how I felt about this poor young girl at all- it's the story, the books layout, and the missing information I felt it needed in order to be a cohesive novel.

This review is also posted in my blog : https://onewordtoomuch.wordpress.com/2018/04/26/bullied-to-death-a-story-of-bullying-social-media-and-the-suicide-of-sherokee-harriman/

Thank you to WildBlue Press and Net Galley for a free copy of this book in trade for an honest review

It’s a sad story to read and it really breaks my heart to see such a beautiful young woman is driven to commit suicide. As a biography, this story is told in a conversational way and makes it easy to read and follow. It’s well researched with most of data comes from the victim’s cellphone and social media, as well as from family and friends.

The story sometimes read from Sherokee point of view, other times from her friends or parents. It covers from Sherokee’s background until her death. This is a disturbing story to read if you have children. As parents, we tend to think that our children are “having a great time, nothing to worry about except school”. But this story proves the opposite. Children do suffer psychologically and they don’t have the capability to handle the burden. Our job as parents to keep our children safe and help them to survived this hard life.

There are also some notes on mental illness that need more attention from parents and educators as well. Mental illness is usually banished behind closed doors. “Let’s pretend it’s not there, why are you depressed, there’s no such thing as depressed, etc”. Can’t imagine how difficult it is for the patient to understand themselves and without a good support system, things could go wrong. The story of Sherokee Harriman proves it.

Recommend for those who like to read a well researched autobiography about teenager life and mental illness topic.

In Bullied to Death we learn about the harsh conditions Sherokee Harriman grew up in; the things she had to endure and what finally pushed her over the edge. I still don’t know who or what to believe, even after finishing this book it seems so very unlikely a girl like this would stab herself to death with a knife.. bullicide has never been so real to me, I usually cower away from stories like Sherokee’s. After reading this though, I think maybe we all should do more to prevent things like these from happening..
Bullied to death is written solely on facts and statements from friends, family and other people that knew Sherokee Harriman and I think that that made the book interesting and pretty intense

As I write this, I'm experiencing a great deal of conflict. I read the whole book but at times I wished to just leave it alone. The author's message seems to flit around but for the most part the writing doesn't match the title. Bullied to Death starts with the events leading to Sherokee's death and the death itself. From there, a good 50% of the book, if not more, proceeds to paint a dark picture, a disturbing picture, and leads us to believe that Sherokee was threatening to kill herself at 3 years old.
The title suggests that bullying was the major cause of events but then spends much of the book placing the blame on family, surviving sexual abuse, mental health, and honestly? Everything except the bullying.

It's a fascinating read for lovers of psychology and mental health issues. Perhaps even those who want to read about how the education system is failing when it comes to the topics of "No Child Left Behind" and anti-bullying programs. If you're looking for a book on bullying triggered suicide though, this book really isn't it. The subject of bullying is merely skimmed across.

I'm definitely not a fan.

This book made me sad. Sherokee really had an uphill battle to try and make a better life for herself. Sherokee's friends and family were not the loving support that every child needs with or without abuse or mental illness. The author did a wonderful job of describing Sherokee accurately and sympathetically.

dates read 4/17-4/17

I love true crime books and haven't found an author since Ann Rule that I really enjoy. Like Ann, Judith Yates does a great background research to set up the body of the book. This is an excellent job of research for the history, crime, coroner, text messages, and social media. Reading this book we find out about Sherokee's childhood and what sad things that happened to her that really predicted what would happen further on. I realized also that Sherokee wasn't so innocent. There are times in book, you feel so sorry for her like when she didn't want to go to school cause of bullying, who could blame her? Good point made in this book that you use to be able to go home after school and get away from the bullying but now with social media, doesn't help. This incident actually happened in my daughter's father n law's neighborhood park. Sad true story. I was apalled by Sherokee's texts back and forth with her grandmother Rita about taking her cell to school. The language she used as she texts Rita was shocking. I could never imagine talking to my grandmother that way, so disrespectful.

The coroner report of Sherokee's death was interesting in that Sherokee couldn't have pushed the knife so far into her stomach by herself so that's questioning in my mind.

The part in the book that stood out for me was when it was brought up that we should bring back prayer in school. Don't know if would help. Kids will still bully, but that was still a good point. I can't say I enjoyed this book cause it is truly sad, but the writing and research is very good. I was very engrossed at the unbelievable story of it all.
Ann Rule "RIP"-I'm glad I found a new true crime author to watch out for. I look forward to reading more by Ms. Yates.

Thank you Net Gallery and Wild Blue Press for allowing me to review this startling novel.

RIP Sherokee

Cherie'

I look forward to receiving Wild Blue Press newsletter.

Thank you #NetGalley, the publisher and the author for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest opinion.
It was very well written and the details and research were astounding, however, I couldn't finish it because it was making me too sad. This, of course, I knew going into it what it was about so that's my fault. I just didn't expect it to make me as sad as it did. As a mom, I was heart broken reading this. I couldnt stop thinking about what has this world come to with children and bullying. But, the book itself is so gracefully written with the memory of this little girl being honored. I like that author respected that a young life was taken and in a way this was honoring her memory.
I'm giving it 5 stars for that reason - That the author handled this in such a caring and sensitive way.

If the problem of bullying bothers you as much as it does most people today, this book is sure to make you sit up and take note. And if it makes you angry enough to do something about bullying, so much the better. This book is not only well written and researched, it's true, in all of its grizzly details.