In these letters, people of all ages and backgrounds share their experiences. Some are young, others are adults who themselves were tormented when they were children. There are also letters from former bullies who reveal years later why they targeted others. The extraordinary honesty in all the letters gives us a rare and much-needed insight into the life-altering effects of bullying.

From the messages of healing and hope, Olivia was ultimately able to find solace. Today, Olivia, who had fled the school environment for the comfort of her own home, is back in school. She has new, caring friends and is forming healthier relationships. Though she’ll never forget what happened and is still dealing with the painful memories, Olivia now has reason to hope.

Thousands of kids just like Olivia Gardner reach the entrance to their schools every day filled with fear and trepidation, as their bullies await them inside. Some fake illness to avoid school altogether, where they are taunted or attacked in the school yard, hallways, bathrooms or locker rooms. Others, who reached what they felt was an utterly hopeless and irretrievable point of despair, have turned to suicide, feeling they had no other way out of the pain and torture heaped on them by their tormentors. We hear all too frequently in the news about those whose cries went unheard, whose pain was ignored, and whose oppression went unabated striking back with a vengeance, hurting not only themselves but others along the way in a tragic and final exit.

If we are devastated by the final act of violence, why are we rarely outraged by the events that led to the final act? Young people are bullied relentlessly, and as most of Olivia’s letter-writers recount, the bullying goes on without substantial objections or adequate intervention. Sisters Emily and Sarah Buder, however, decided to break this silence. They were outraged by the bullying of Olivia and refused to become bystanders. Instead they became active witnesses, standing up, speaking out, and encouraging others to do the same. Their letter-writing campaign resulted in thousands of letters offering Olivia support and hope. The news coverage that followed created opportunities for parents, educators and students to talk openly about the devastating effects of all forms of bullying.