Books That Heal Kids: gossip and rumors

Showing posts with label gossip and rumors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gossip and rumors. Show all posts

Book Review: Hen Hears Gossip

Author: Megan McDonald
Illustrated by Joung Un Kim
Interest Level: Ages 4-8

From the Book Jacket: Hen hears Pig whisper a secret to Cow ("Psst. Psst. Psst."), and in no time at all Hen tells Duck ("Psst. Psst. Psst.") who tells Goose ("Psst. Psst. Psst.") who tells Turkey ("Psst. Psst. Psst.")  who tells Hen ("Psst. Psst. Psst.") something not so nice about Hen herself. "WHHAAT?" Hen is outraged. She's got to figure out who's behind the rumor. But will she discover even more than she bargained for?


Why It's On My Bookshelf: The first time I read Hen Hears Gossip I wasn't really sure if I could use it. Actually, I wasn't really sure HOW to use it. It sort of reminded me of the telephone game. Where we all sit around in a circle, someone whispers a few short sentences in the ear of the next person and so on around the circle. When it got to the last person, they would announce what they heard. It usually never comes close to the original message, and is so distorted that we all have a really good laugh. So yes, this would be a great way to use the book. But then I read it again and totally figured out another angle based on a line from the story, "Gossip! Hen loved gossip!" A lot of people love gossip. Why? Why are we attracted to gossip? Why does Hen love it so much? She's a bit obsessed with gossiping. Maybe Hen has low self-esteem, maybe she thinks it's entertaining, or maybe she thinks this is part of friendship. Kids need to know gossip is toxic. Gossip has no purpose. And if we're running around talking in a hurtful manner about everyone - we need to take stock. I asked the students to give me a list of reasons of why gossiping would be a positive thing. They couldn't come up with anything. However, we ran out of room on the white board listing all of the negative things about gossip. If you use this book, I encourage you to explore Hen's "need" to gossip. And yes, the telephone game is always fun too but I try and take a serious tone on this subject with kids.


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Book Review: The Secret That Olivia Told Me

Author: N. Joy
Illustrations by Nancy Devard
Interest Level: Ages 7-12


About This Book: Can you keep a secret? Olivia has a secret - a BIG secret. It's a secret that she tells only to her very best friend. And her friend promises she won't say a word. But the secret is really BIG and really Juicy. What happens when a trusted friend slips and the secret gets out?


Why It's On My Bookshelf: I have loved using this book for the past few years. AND I still LOVE it. In 4th grade, I notice the start of a huge surge of gossip and rumors. Sometimes it turns really mean. I start reading The Secret That Olivia Told Me in 2nd grade. Teaching kids about this behavior is a great preventative measure. Kids love the illustrations and the metaphor of the balloon. This is a useful tool so do not hesitate even for a second about whether you should put this book on your shelf.  

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Book Review: Our Friendship Rules

Author: Peggy Moss and Dee Dee Tardif
Illustrated by Alissa Imre Geis
Interest Level: Ages 7-10


About This Book: Alexandra and Jenny have been best friends for a long time. But when Alexandra is momentarily dazzled by the glamour of a new girl at school, she's willing to do almost anything to get to be the cool girl's friend. Ultimately, she tells Jenny's biggest, most important secret and just like that, Alexandra is in! But when Alexandra realizes what it feels like to lose her best friend, and sees the hurt she's caused, she knows she has make things right.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Just read the reviews:

"This is a book any girl can relate to, not just because a friendship breaks apart, but because the girls figure out a way to stay together. It's a great model for what should happen in real life."
—Maya Brown, age 12

"We all make mistakes. We become better people when we learn from them. I love this story because Peggy Moss and Dee Dee Tardif reject one-dimensional "mean girls." Instead they offer us a real girl who does something she regrets, who recognizes the sadness, loss, and hurt she inflicts, and who is granted a great gift—the joy of knowing a friend's forgiveness. This should be a lesson to us all."

—Lyn Mikel Brown, co-author of Packaging Girlhood: Rescuing Our Daughters from Marketers' Schemes, author of Girlfighting: Betrayal and Rejection Among Girls, and Maya's mom

Friendships require maintenance. This book empowers students to create rules and limitations within their friendships. Our Friendship Rules has served as a guide for my students. Kids create their own list of friendship rules after we read the book. Ask your child or student, what should you do when someone breaks a friendship rule? What should the mending of a hurt look like? How does forgiveness play a part in friendships? And most importantly - how can we prevent hurts from ever happening? There is a lot of friendship drama going on in schools everyday. Which equals hurt feelings, exclusion, and unhappiness. Put this helpful read on your shelf to promote kindness and encourage healthy relationships.  

Check out the author's website Say Something Now.

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Book Review: Trouble Talk

Author: Trudy Ludwig
illustrated by Mikela Prevost
Interest Level: Ages 8-10

About This Book: When Bailey comes to Hoover Elementary, Maya is picked to be her Welcome Buddy. At first, Maya likes having a new, lively friend, but at a sleepover, Bailey is cruel to another girl. Later, she overhears a conversation on the playground and broadcasts confidential information. Finally, after listening to Maya's parents fight, she spreads the rumor that they're getting a divorce, causing Maya to seek the school counselor's help. Ms. Bloom defines Bailey's actions as "trouble talk…. Spreading rumors, saying hurtful things, and sharing information that isn't hers to share are examples of the kind of talk that leads to nothing but trouble." She gives Maya tips on how to not get involved and to choose instead "kids who make you feel safe." As the story ends, Bailey works to remedy her conduct. Given the prevalence of these behaviors, young readers will readily identify with Maya's dilemma and appreciate the straightforward text. Colorful and expressive mixed-media art depicts a refreshing and realistic multicultural schoolyard. A foreword, geared toward adults, gives insight into this type of bullying, discussing the need to connect with others in constructive rather than destructive ways. Appended are an author's note with further tips for addressing the problem, discussion questions, and additional resources.

Why It's On My Bookshelf: Gossiping and relational aggression becomes even more prominent throughout the upper elementary school years. I felt like I hit the girl bully book lottery when I found this Trudy Ludwig gem.  I love that Trudy uses phrases like 'trouble talk' and 'friendship-tug-of-war.' I have explored those phrases with students and there is serious meaning behind them. Spend time discussing the consequences of the behavior displayed during the story. The girl who causes all of the 'trouble talk' has to deal with those consequences, possibly not having any friends. I can tell the students relate to what's going on in the book and it empowers them to avoid Trouble Talk behavior. Get it on your shelf immediately!










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