Attacked!

Bullied: Surviving Terror and Finding Justice

By: Mark Simon

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Back in 1980, in Houston, Texas, I was bullied in high school. I tried to ignore the gang but the bullying just grew worse. The first major attack was at a bonfire party and about 30 teens attacked me in my car. A number of them then showed up later that night at my home and attacked my family in our own front yard. My family was terrorized for months including horrible death threats of our bodies being found in a bag in bloody pieces. I was attacked with bats, chains and tire irons on multiple occasions. My friends were also attacked with bricks and were constantly threatened to stay away from me. I was completely ostracized, with the exception of one amazing friend, Jim, who stuck by me. I nearly failed every class that semester and I had been a consistent straight-A honor student. It got so bad my family had to hire private security and we armed ourselves. Our life had become a gut-wrenching nightmare. Even after several nervous breakdowns, I refused to back down and we beat the bullies in a court of law. I became the first person in the country to hold parents legally responsible for the actions of their kids. I am Mark Simon and this is my story. Endorsements: I really enjoyed your story. Being 53 to your 56, I related to the early eighties high school mentality you described. I think your book could be a great support and possible template regarding legal action for families dealing with extreme assault type bullying. Because those who carry out this kind of stuff know they are legally innocent until "proven" guilty, they are often good at walking that line carefully, and rarely get caught red handed. I'm glad you are sharing this. Many kids dealing with this kind of stuff are so alone, and no one at school steps up to support them out of fear. Good luck with this project. Jim Bisenius Founder – BullyProofingYouth.com I was bullied when I was a kid and I thought it was bad until I read what Mark went through in his memoir, Attacked. It was both frightening and uplifting. Mark’s story is powerful and so personal I felt like I was there. This is an important story on how to fight bullies. I want my kids to read this next. Jonathan Mangum Actor, Comedian Mark Simon's book Attacked is a chillingly triumphant saga of a teen's grit and guts staring down a group of relentless high-school-aged bullies. Although written autobiographically, Attacked has all the hallmarks of a great drama: realistic characters, a clear storyline, and above all, hypnotic suspense that makes the book nearly impossible to put down. If you love a great underdog tale, this book will deliver. Once I started, I couldn't stop reading! Like all great storytellers, Mark Simon skillfully weaves a complex tale replete with humor, angst, emotional connection, archetypal imagery, and above all, a sense of realism. Although the action takes place in 1980's suburbia, the story is both timeless and cross-cultural. It's inspirational, aspirational, and in the end, morally satisfying. It reinforces the hopes and needs we all feel that justice will prevail and a reminder that the good guys can still win. I can't recommend this book heartily enough. It's a great read, with a fast, fresh, funny, poignant, and satisfying story that will, I have no doubt, soon become a motion picture! The book is a worthy story for all readers, but I would especially recommend Attacked by Mark Simon for teens everywhere, plus anyone who has ever been bullied or knows someone who's been bullied. Steven Kirwan Executive Director - American Screenwriters Association This is an incredible true story of how courage, friendship, family solidarity and community support triumphed over brutal criminal behavior. Bullying is rarely challenged with such a determined resolve for justice. Very inspiring. I would love to see this as a graphic novel. Brian Walker Cartoonist (Beetle Bailey, Hi and Lois), comics historian and curator.