It was 1975 and a small rural town in Australia so I guess the small-mindedness was to be expected. I was born there, 4th generation on my mum's side and proudly Australian, but it didn't seem to matter to those kids. My dad, despite being a citizen, was an immigrant and I was brownish.
Kids can be cruel as you know based on your own story and it's never going to change. I know people who were teased for being tall, freckled with red hair, short, fat, thin, smart, dumb...Kids are cruel. We can't control them but we can ourselves which is what you have done, and I also.
My books never judged me though, same with you. I read a lot and enjoy it for many reasons.
Thanks for commenting.
RE: Secundum librum