Children are bullied every day. Most often it is done in secret. Kids witness these injustices. When they see a friend or classmate hurting and don't know what to do about it, and they hurt too. The adorable characters in this story learn to practice bravery and stand up to bullies. Jericka is bullied by another student. Their teacher, Miss Work, leads her students to understand how to become braver, and she encourages them to use their hearts to help their friends. Following a math lesson where Miss Work teaches her students about equality, the students witness bullying for the third time and realize that, together, they can stand up to the hurtful words of the bully. They learn that they will put more good into the world if they work together. An important story for every 3rd-5th grade student. "...A math lesson provides the answer... It doesn't take much to tip a scale. When Kaisley next bullies Jericka, some classmates interrupt with warm words about the latter's strengths until their kindness surrounds her like a shield. That compassion allows Jericka to see that Kaisley may be a kindred spirit who just needs some encouraging words herself. Sbarboro's deft depictions of Miss Work's lessons and the students' responses to them provide concrete, constructive ideas for creating positive friendships. The way the two classroom subjects work together to bring the lesson home shows the author's keen insight into school dynamics." --Kirkus Review After being an elementary school principal for six years and addressing bullies with restorative justice practices, Jayne Sbarboro learned that the most important effort is always to first RESTORE THE CHILD who has been hurt. This was the subject of her first book, "The Truest Heart." The second most important thing is to teach children how to stand up for each other when an adult isn't nearby. Using story writing to empower children, especially those who have been targeted by bullying, she chooses to focus exclusively on the importance of using strength-based practices to increase children's resilience. In "The Bravest Hearts--A Story to Empower Our Friends," which is the sequel to the Truest Heart, she shows students how to work together to overcome bullying. She also co-authored "Miss Work's Truest Heart Companion: An Anti-bullying Guide" with her niece, Francesca Sbarboro, who is the model for Miss Work these books. Jayne chose to make Miss Work African American because she believes we need more African-American teachers. Wendy Leach is an author and illustrator from Overland Park, Kansas (just a jump, hop and a skip away from Kansas City). Wendy graduated with a BFA in painting from the University of Missouri. Along with a prior collaboration illustrating The Truest Heart, Wendy wrote and illustrated Francis-the story of a lovable monster who goes on a hilarious journey of misplaced love. She illustrated I Campaigned for Ice Cream by Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, and has done illustrations and artwork for other community projects.