No More Secrets For Me

by Oralee Wachter

In four separate stories on the theme of sexual abuse of children, young victims are able to articulate their feelings and defend themselves, often with the help of another person whom they trust.

48 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1984

Reviews

[lunarlibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't see any parent complaining with the discreet, protective, and tasteful nature of this book, which has four short stories about kids approached sexually by an older person. This book is completely didactic, which is usually something I get all disgruntled about, but I am completely okay with it in this book and with this subject matter. It's a great "how to get out of a bad situation" book, and would be a handy introduction to a discussion with kids about adults that make them uncomfortable. Will definitely read this to my kids.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should absolutely be read and discussed with a trusted adult

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories deal with different kids who find themselves in situations where someone is doing something to make them feel uncomfortable and/or violated. One story deals with a babysitter who doesn't realize a boy is old enough to bathe himself and go to the bathroom alone now, one is about a camp counselor who wants a boy to take off his clothes and threatens him if he refuses, one is about an older man whose touches make a girl uncomfortable, one is about a stepfather who puts his hands inside his step-daughters pajamas when she's in bed, things like that. Nothing is ever explicit, and sometimes they seem a little bit hokey, but overall, each situation is handled in a way that may give young readers courage to speak up if they are being treated similarly,and I appreciate it for that.

That said, I do have to say that I hated the illustrations. They were...well, they were just ugly, period.

[Julie]

Annotation: Four short stories show situations that children may find themselves in regarding abuse and how these children find a way out of harm