A Smart Girl's Guide: Friendship Troubles

Bought this for a ten-year-old who doesn't yet have to deal with this (but it's probably on it's way)...she loved it, read it cover to cover and could really relate to the way kid friends sometimes grow apart and that it can be painful, but it's okay and that things will adjust. That new friends can be as good as that old relationship, even if they are not with the same person. If I remember correctly, the book deals with not only "what happens if your friend wants to move on from the friendship" but "what if you want to move on from the friendship." It offers ways to understand both sides and to encourage empathy for the one who might be getting hurt by the way things are going. I'm not an American Girl fan: I think their products are over-priced and elitist, but their books offer an astoundingly grounded viewpoint that reinforces the "it's okay to be you, even if everyone is different" mantra that I can only respect and support. The book is not too thick, has pictures, and bright colours. There is a lot of empathy encouraged. I bought this in conjunction with the America Girl's "A Smart Girl's Guide: Drama, Rumors & Secrets"

I got this for my daughter after she started getting bullied by her friend group last year. I thought maybe this would help her understand her peers better and how they may behave and react to each other. She seems to like it. It’s great for my younger daughter as well. Very helpful. They flip through it and can then ask me any specific questions they have so we can have a conversation about whatever they need.

Love this book

Granddaughters share in car & at school w friends. Appealing to kids & adults. Questions inspire good discussions.

Content helpful

My daughter, Allure Wilson, liked this book because it gives real examples of friendship situations and helps girls think about how to handle them. She said she liked that the book didn’t just say “figure it out yourself,” but actually gave ideas and guidance for solving problems with friends. She also enjoyed the quizzes throughout the book because they made it more interactive and helped her think about what kind of friend she wants to be. Another thing she liked was the art style and illustrations. The book talks about how being a good friend to yourself helps you recognize healthy friendships, communicate openly, admit mistakes, and express your feelings. It also explains that friendships can change as you grow, and that’s normal. Overall, this was a thoughtful book that helped start good conversations about friendships and how to handle social situations.

Fifth grade is where as a parent I saw many changes and what was ‘once friends with approach’ really started to change and friendships became more complicated. Navigating friendships can be difficult at any age, but especially when you reach the age where the rules change, people change and you change. This book does a great job discussing this as well works as a great discussion aid when talking with your child. I found this book to be very informative and helpful.

If I could give these books a ten I would!! This particular book I got just as an addition to a few others of the series...needing to touch on sensitive issues with my preteen daughter,such as hygiene and the whole monthly cycle,and just importance of body health,the my body book was an excellent way to allow her to gain awareness without feeling awkward or ashamed...simple to read and very encouraging to young girls who are going through a lot of body changes...being American girl she took right to it and everything, from what I mentioned already, all the way to internet safety is covered in these books...very happy I found these books they have helped tremendously!

Good for a beginning but not enough

Daughter has read many of these she absolutely loves them

My daughter enjoyed the book and found the advice useful and relevant. I loaned it to a friend’s daughter who also found it relatable and helpful.

These are a good set of books for girls growing up and needing some expert (but not bossy parent) advice. WE have 3 of these now, and whilst my 10YO and 8YO both say they've never read them for fear of admitting a problem, I've found them both secretly absorbed on several occasions. An important parenting thing for me. Sometimes not forcing the issue and providing the assistance is enough. As a 43YO Dad I have NO IDEA over the intricacies of girls friendship groups, the politics, the cliques, the expectations, the psychological bullying (to be frank). We've seen this starting to creep into our daughters lives, and bought this book as a way to allow them to read a little without having to ask for help. We constantly check in but it's clear that aren't always comfortable opening up. The content is set out in a plain, well illustrated way that takes you through the problem, why it happens, how to manage it, and ways to cope. Some solid advice provided in a lovely, empathetic way. It wasn't till they arrived and I was perusing that I realised these books were published by American Girl. If you have girls, they are the holy grail of 18 inch dolls. We have the cheaper version in our house BUT importantly that link made sure that my daughters trusted the content that little bit more.

A ready reckoner for the girls growing up. My daughter loved the book & finds it quite handy dealind with friends. The import charges was quite high. Almost ended up paying Rs. 1550 to get the book home.