Bitopia
Named to Kirkus Reviews Best of 2012 and updated and re-released as the 8 1/2 Anniversary Edition in 2020! Bitopia is more than a fast-paced, epic adventure. The novel, about a bullied boy who figures out the secret to stopping the bullying, helps students understand how physical bullying through fear and intimidation works and how to stop it on their own. From the book jacket:
When you run from bullies, you never know where you might wind up…
Bitopia is a wonderland of fantastical foliage and mysterious creatures. It’s also a place where Venators lurk, vile creatures that relentlessly hunt children. So the children of Bitopia, the only human inhabitants, are forced to live in a high-walled city for protection, a medieval metropolis of cold and shadow where time passes but no one ages, a place of no escape.
Like all the other children of Bitopia, Stewart arrives there unexpectedly while fleeing from bullies. And, like all Newcomers, Stewart dreams of finding a way back home. Risking exile from the city and the protection that it offers, Stewart and Cora, his Finder, discover a clue to escaping, one that presents them with a terrible choice: face their greatest fear and risk death, or be trapped in Bitopia forever.
Olivander Press
240 Pages $9.99
ISBN: 978-0-9848610-5-7
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What people are saying about Bitopia
“Magnusson’s debut. . . follows a young boy’s flight from the wrath of bullies, taking him to another world from which there may be no escape. . . Magnusson infuses the narrative with stunning imagery that wallops the senses. . . Ample action and suspense. . . help the plot retain a steady speed. All the fun of a children’s book, coupled with the razor-sharp wit and potent insight that seasoned readers crave.”
- Kirkus Reviews (starred review, Best of 2012)
“[E]ngaging, with a sincere element of tension and an overall sense of wonder. . . .[I]deal for readers in need of an extra shot of courage when faced with difficult situations.”
- Publishers Weekly
“Bitopia is a fast-paced and suspense-filled adventure story about a boy who learns how to overcome his paralyzing fear of being bullied. . . Bitopia will help readers find courage to stand tall in the shadow of intimidation and as such, it can be used by parents and teachers as an effective springboard for discussion of what is a most difficult situation for all involved. I highly recommend this book.”
- Christopher McChesney, middle school teacher, National PASCO NSTA STEM Educator Award of 2016, Baltimore County Schools
“[A] great way to get a message across about bullying that is not too heavy-handed or preachy. . . .[M]oves along quickly and has lots of good tension and a compelling story. The characters are likable and engaging.”
- The Write Stuff
“[An] engrossing novel for children that tackles head on the single most important element of bullying: fear. Bitopia is a compelling allegory that reveals the nature of fear and drives the reader to eagerly let go of it, an act that will deprive their bullies of their power. It should be on every school’s recommended reading list.”
- Izzy Kalman, MS, Director of Bullies to Buddies, Inc.
“Kids who love fantasy will enjoy this book just for the story-the anti-bullying message is simply an added bonus.”
- Book Dreaming