As Australian schools mark Bullying No Way! National Week of Action from August 11–15, a landmark children’s book that helped shape the national conversation on bullying is making waves overseas.
Ms Susanne Gervay’s acclaimed novel I Am Jack, a staple in Australian primary schools for over two decades, is being translated into Italian and launched across Europe in partnership with youth-led anti-bullying movement Mabasta.
First published 25 years ago by HarperCollins, I Am Jack was inspired by Ms Gervay’s personal experience when her son was bullied at school. A specialist in child development, Ms Gervay turned her heartbreak into a powerful story that resonated with children, parents, and educators alike. The book has since become a classic, adapted into a stage play by Monkey Baa Theatre Company, touring Australia and the United States.
Now, the story is set to reach a new generation of students in Italy and beyond. Italian publishers have teamed up with Mabasta – a youth-driven initiative founded in 2016 by then-teenager Mirko Cazzato in response to a tragic suicide attempt by a 12-year-old girl. Mabasta empowers students aged 14–17 to lead anti-bullying efforts in their schools, supported by educators and institutions.
The ‘Mabasta Model’ promotes student-led action against bullying, cyberbullying, body shaming, and sexting. It has reached over 800 classrooms and 80,000 students across Italy. The model’s flexibility and affordability make it accessible to schools of all sizes, offering free resources, forms, and questionnaires to support implementation.
The Italian edition of I Am Jack will be launched alongside Mabasta’s initiatives, reinforcing the shared mission of empowering students to stand up against bullying. Ms Gervay, who was awarded the Lifetime Social Justice Award and an Order of Australia for her work, continues to advocate for youth empowerment through storytelling.
