Drama, Rumors & Secrets: Staying True to Yourself in Changing Times

A Smart Girl's Guide...

by Nancy Holyoke

Watch out for the drama trap! This book offers expert insight into drama, from jealousy to gossip to cyberbullying, and how to deal with it. You'll learn why drama exists, how it starts, what keeps it going, and how to cool it down. You'll find quotes and advice from real girls like you, plus tips and quizzes to help you rise above the drama game and keep yourself safe.

Genres: Childrens, Nonfiction, Parenting, Middle Grade

94 pages, Library Binding

First published February 1, 2015

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm reading this for a kid's perspective at the same time as Odd Girl Out for an adult's/researcher's view. Both are great. Both have given me the right language to use when dealing with this problem. I like the suggestions and tone in this book although I wish it would ease up on encouraging or desiring girls to be "nice" and aim for "respectful" instead. Girls' bullying often stems from pressure to always appear or be thought of as "nice."

I'll pass this copy on to my kids' afterschool program where we've got some bullies, sidekicks, and bystanders. :(

[Marya · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's sometimes hard to peel back the mystery known as "drama". It's so intangible, so fomented in a chemical bath of raging hormones that it's hard to ground it in reality. To that end, American Girls have provided a clear headed, no nonsense way to define and describe drama. The result is a view of how drama starts, why it continues, and why it leaves the aftermath it does. Keeping these pieces in mind are key to stopping the drama (preferably before it even starts). Or at the very least, it gives me a way to swerve the conversation back to that final point (and what is the result of all this drama?) until everyone acknowledges that very real people are hurt by it.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This American Girl self-help guide has lots of great advice for dealing with friend group conflict, one-on-one issues, bullying, and various other forms of drama. This publication is current enough that it shares advice for wise digital behaviors as well, focusing on principles that will apply regardless of the specific technology.

The quizzes, reflections from real girls, and fun illustrations will help this appeal to the target age group, and the book shares solid advice for a wide variety of situations. Nothing handling sensitive issues like this can be absolutely perfect, but I have no significant critiques.

[Alessandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very helpful. Although I've never been in a serious drama situation myself, I know people who have, and I've definitely seen rumors constantly flying around our grade. This girl likes him. She did that to her yesterday. Probably, less than half of them are true. This book gave me a lot of fun facts on how to prevent and not spread rumors and drama about other people. I would recommend this book to girls of all ages, especially those who have had experiences with bullies. Because you are the one who can make a difference.

[Nohora Gardeazabal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, it really helps me with my life, emotions and drama. Thank you so much for this book. My daughter loved it too it helps her with school and with her friends, so she says thank you for the experience of this book, and the adventures it gives her.

I loved it thank you Nancy Holyoke for writing this book it's very helpful in my and daughters life. Thank you.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it at first, but halfway there was a little unlikable and kinda dumb because the people were being mean. This is why people are mean back. Besides, they obviously make the problem worse and become an outcast.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another helpful and practical Smart Girl's Guide. Not only does this one give smart advice about drama, rumors, and secrets (as promised in the title), it also has several pages about bullying and what you can do about it. Even a check to see if you are the bully.

[Michelle Vlach · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is great for preteens. My 3rd grader is running into these issues. I trust this book to give her an outlet to explore and organize her thoughts and feelings and figure out how to articulate some of her challenges. It is not easy for us to talk about these things.

[Sophia Clayville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like this book. It teaches girls how to not care what people think, solve problems in a way other then ganging up on people, and simply not to get caught up in all the drama with friends. I would really recommend this book.

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fine. It seemed more haphazard than other AG advice books. It really does focus all on drama and how to deal with it. I feel like it took big chunks from the Friendship Troubles and Feelings books. Lots about bullying. Damn, kids are mean.

[Abby Pryor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this before giving it to my 9&10 year olds to make sure it aligned with our parenting. I really love the way it breaks down drama and explains where and why it happens. I think this book gives young girls excellent tools for coping and sound advice for dealing with friendship issues.

[Mila B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book I highly recommend it it is great for people who have problems with friends and if you do have that this book it will help you calm down when you need it when Mean Girls happen and there's more books so don't forget to read all of them

[Shambray Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great talking points with my daughter

[Kelly Urbano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was allot like the other American Girl books. It was a short read. Good for girls entering middle school.

[Vivian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have personal experience with drama and bully problems. This book made me feel better prepared for dealing with my problems at school. I think girls my age should read this because it does not feel good being the victim of these things.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a fan of the entire Smart Girl's Guide series published by American Girl. Until recently, there isn't really anything comparable available in Australia, so I am glad to have discovered them. The titles cover a range of topics that are really relevant to the health and wellbeing of tween and early teen girls - friendship problems, bullying, changing bodies etc.

Drama, Rumors and Secrets is a good representation of the overall style of the series. It's like getting advice from a slightly older girl. There is a good balance of explanation and suggestion. I particularly like the "Changing the script" sections which shows how tricky situations can be defused with a change in perspective and some assertiveness. My 10-year-old and I have been buying and reading these titles for the past year, and she has found them helpful and reassuring.

[Colette B.]

Read it with my kids during dinner time.