Don't Call Me That!: My Name is Michael

By MaryAnn Milton Butterfield

No one wants to be treated with hostility

and aggression, especially a child perceived as "different" because of skin color or eye shape. Ms. Butterfield tackles this behavior by addressing it where it begins-in elementary school-where "fun" for one

• Language: English
• Publisher: ReadersMagnet LLC
• Release date: Aug 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798890910202

MaryAnn Milton Butterfield

Ms. Butterfield uses her experiences in child development to craft a book that appeals to readers of all levels. A chance encounter with a distressed child led her to write, Don't Call Me That! Previously a writer of non-fiction, she honed her writing for children at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and applies this knowledge in this exciting story to help children understand social behaviors that will aid them in developing relationships-a skill that will serve them well in life. Ms. Butterfield resides with her husband, Bob, in Fredericksburg, Virginia.

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Don’t Call Me That! My Name is Michael

Copyright © 2023 by MaryAnn Butterfield

Published in the United States of America

ISBN Paperback: 979-8-89091-019-6

ISBN Hardback: 979-8-89091-056-1

ISBN eBook: 979-8-89091-020-2

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any way by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the author except as provided by USA copyright law.

The opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily those of ReadersMagnet, LLC.

ReadersMagnet, LLC

10620 Treena Street, Suite 230 | San Diego, California, 92131 USA

1.619. 354. 2643 | www.readersmagnet.com

Book design copyright © 2023 by ReadersMagnet, LLC. All rights reserved.

Cover design by Kent Gabutin

Interior design by Dorothy Lee

Table of Contents

LIST OF CHARACTERS

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

CHAPTER ONE My Name is Michael!

CHAPTER TWO Scared…

CHAPTER THREE Building the Fort...

CHAPTER FOUR Afraid To Go To School...

CHAPTER FIVE He Should Tell...

CHAPTER SIX Trouble in School...

CHAPTER SEVEN Jason Spills the Beans...

CHAPTER EIGHT False Accusations...

CHAPTER NINE Making Things Right...

CHAPTER TEN Will Dad Help Me?

CHAPTER ELEVEN Reaching an Understanding...

Michael and Chuck’s Code of Conduct

Learning the Difference Between Positive and Negative Behavior

Materials Michael and Jason Used Building the Fort

FUN QUIZ ABOUT BUILDING A FORT

Michael and Chuck’s Code of Conduct

Don’t Call Me That!

(My Name is Michael)

Chuck Harassing Michael

By

MaryAnn Milton Butterfield

Author’s Message

Don’t Call Me That! My Name is Michael, is a story of young children not understanding the difference between positive and negative behavior. We see how Michael, an Asian-American new to the community reacts to harassment from a schoolmate, and how Michael and his antagonist play a key role in each other’s social development. We also see school officials work with Federal guidelines that expect schools to resolve harassment, eliminate the hostile learning environment, and work to prevent recurrence.

In the past, an important part of the kindergarten curriculum was helping children develop essential social skills. However, today’s kindergarteners must achieve major and specific academic proficiencies—and the attendant emphasis leaves little time for reinforcement of social responsibility.

Young students with limited social experience may fail to perceive themselves as aggressive or insensitive. Their innocent targets can become frightened, passive, withdrawn, or react aggressively themselves. A solution is to address this behavior where it begins—at the elementary level—and arrest it before it progresses to the extreme behaviors now faced in our middle and high schools.

Don’t Call Me That! My Name is Michael, can be used to start a dialogue between students, parents, and school personnel. Working together the students themselves can share in the responsibility for a safe and welcoming environment at their school.

MaryAnn Milton Butterfield

This book is dedicated to

helping children learn how to respect themselves and others -- with guidelines for understanding how their behavior can lead to making friendships instead of creating misunderstandings

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I feel fortunate and grateful for my husband, Bob, for his steadfast support and encouragement, as I wrote and re-wrote, and he read and re-read manuscripts, and for my family who has provided raw material for a library of stories!

Thank you to my friends in Southwest Manuscripters (SWM) in Torrance/Palos Verdes, California, where I first ventured into writing fiction, learned to accept criticism, and gained a deep appreciation of the genre. SWM kept me inspired with stimulating guest speakers, including member Ray Bradbury who chided, ...for God's sake, finish things, which I took to heart, and Stephen Smoke, a talented musician, screenwriter, and well-published multi-genre novelist, who shared his time and expertise generously, and encouraged me to continue writing.

Also, the South Bay Critique Group of Manhattan Beach was especially important to me while writing this story – members Barbra Simpson, hostess, poet, artist extraordinaire, musician, and author of Poems for Children; Alphabet Animals, Amphibians, Birds, Reptiles, Endangered and Mythical Creatures, and The Snowy Owl; Jalé Pullen (The Sultan's Fingers); and Devi Anton Anderson, (Shadow Trap). We worked diligently to help each other put forth our best effort.

Additionally, I appreciate the education I have received from the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators over the past fifteen years, while attending many summer workshops in Los Angeles, California. Publishing professionals and successful writers conducted seminars that were invaluable in helping me to understand the art and practice of writing for children.

Lastly, a special thank you to Nikki Bolton, Senior Authors Relations Officer, at ReadersMagnet, for her guidance and patience as she walked me through the myriad steps of the publication processes.

Don’t Call Me That!

My Name is Michael

LIST OF CHARACTERS

Michael Kim (Protagonist)

Jason Lewis, Michael’s best friend

Chuck Howard, the Bully (Antagonist)

Mrs. Murphy, the School Bus Driver

Mrs. Ballou, Michael’s Teacher

Mr. Watt, the Principal of Federal Street Elementary School

Eddie, the Seat Saver

Joel, a Buddy

Robby, a Buddy

Nicole, the Hall Monitor

Mr. Lewis (Stuart), Jason’s Dad

Mr. Kim (Matt), Michael’s Dad

Mrs. Kim, Michael’s Mom

Andy, Michael’s Escort to the School Nurse

Ms. Jeanne, the School Nurse

Mrs. Leslie, Owner of the Ruined Garden

Mr. and Mrs. Howard, Chuck’s Parents

Don’t Call