HORSHAM — As bullying continues to permeate schools and cyberspace, the Hatboro-Horsham Educational Foundation (HHEF) is hoping to counter the issue by providing a community book discussion that addresses the topic. The dialogue will focus on Dr. Carl Pickhardt’s book, “Why Good Kids Act Cruel,” which will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Horsham Township Library — located at 435 Babylon Road in Horsham.

In anticipation of the screening of the documentary “Bully” and the subsequent appearance of its director in February, HHEF is providing an opportunity to discuss Pickhardt’s book, which examines the pre-teen years, bullying, and the anxiety and stress associated with these issues. “Why Good Kids Act Cruel” delves into why preteens treat each other poorly and why cruelty among middle and high schoolers is ubiquitous. The book reviews the causes of childhood cruelty — teasing, spreading rumors and fighting — and explains how it is initiated when teenagers feel vulnerable about separating from childhood and desire more independence. Pickhardt also provides tips and insight into how parents can help their child through this difficult time.

Pickhardt is a family psychologist based in Austin, Texas, who specializes in adolescent, sibling and related issues. Pickhardt has published dozens of award winning books, including “Stop the Screaming,” “The Future of Your Only Child” and “The Connected Father.” Additionally, Pickhardt has written articles that have appeared in trade magazines and journals.

“Bullying is a topic that has been receiving significant national attention over the past several years,” Hatboro-Horsham High School English teacher Kim English-Murphy said. “The proliferation of social media has made bullying easier than ever, but as we all know, it has been an issue for as long as there have been adolescents.”

Several copies of the book were purchased by the Hatboro-Horsham Education Association and can be found at the Horsham Township Library.

Those who are interested in attending the discussion are asked to register by Nov. 9 by visiting www.hhef.org/register.

For more information about this event, or other HHEF activities and initiatives, visit www.HHEF.org.