A Smart Girl's Guide: Knowing What to Say

9 year old Granddaughter likes it and recommends it. She does not say that often.

My sweet pre-teen has social anxiety and has been really struggling with friendships at school. We don't have insurance right now so counseling isn't an option (although she is on low dose Prozac from her pediatrician). Anyway, she came to me the other night in tears about how paralyzing it has been around girls in her school and how she feels so hopeless and doesn't know what to do. SO I jumped on Amazon and bought this book and 2 others to try to help her. When the arrived, she was embarrassed as hell and didn't want to read them. I told her to go in her room, shut the door, and just take a look and if she truly thought they were worthless, we could send them back. She came out about two hours later and this book had been her favorite one. She was really excited at the ideas the book gave her on things to say in really specific situations. Not just to her friends, but to teachers and other adults too. They help with bullying situations (which, thank God, we haven't encountered yet except for some passive aggressive BS) and with just small talk in the hallway with friends or how to reply to unexpected snark. She has since put a few of these in her mind back and she said it really takes the pressure off trying to come up with the "right" thing to say. Is it a immediate and perfect answer to kids who are shy/social anxiety. No. But for her, it seemed to be full of great starting points that simply made the difference between having some small positive interactions and being completely silent and disappearing into the wallpaper. (For the record, I am not a fan of the whole American Girl doll line - I think they are pretentious - But I love both this book and The American Girl Body Book....both great for every girl's bookshelf.)

This book helped me so much w all my problems! It has everything we girls need to say when something happens. I am in the fifth grade (so many problems w our grade) so this got me through everything, as u can imagine.... Has everything from thanking people politely to ca-raw-zay relatives and knowing how to, um, face them to comforting a friend when her pet dies to standing up to bullies. (Yeesh, sorry, that was kind of a long sentence before). I think all girls should have this book. I don't know about y'all (yes, I'm talking 2 u, the reader of this) but they reeeeeally need to make a American BOYS. I am serious! Because no offense boys reading this, but y'all dudes really need some help... yeah, yeah, I am sorry. Ooookay. I kinda got off topic maybe!? Anyway, back talking about the book, it works like a charm. I use these clever comebacks and it really shuts those cruel bullies DOWN. Oh, snap. So, yeah, this book is good for girls ages 6- 101 years old. No, really, almost anyone can use it. So people of all ages reading this, I am very sorry that this review is sooo long. I'm not really. You may think I'm this young, book-reviewing, speaks-her-mind freak. But I'm not, don't worry. I am happy 2 share my review w u because it was such a great book. But, i kind of have 2 go bc Counting Stars, my fave song is playing on th- i mean, it is, um, bedtime. So, until next time------- Goodnight! - Olivia Harmon aka: Liv P.S: My name is not James Harmon. That is my dad, and this review is under his account because APPARENTLY i can't GET my OWN account bc MAYBE i am too YOUNG. Whatev. I am sort of mad. No, really mad. Anyway, that was info just incase you were wondering why i wasn't the same person as it says posted by

My second grader found the text accessible and interesting. I appreciated the content on how to advocate for oneself. The key gap we found was how to set boundaries with friends or how to address classmates who aren’t respecting one’s boundaries. Lots of content about how to choose desired behavior for oneself but less on resolving conflict if one is on the receiving end.

I purchased the guide to help my daughter entering 3rd grade navigate through social issues. I researched “other” books for my 8 year old daughter to know what to say when asked a question and found American Girl guide books responds to specific girl situations with real life examples to learn from. I appreciate the “look inside!” before you buy too. The content is age appropriate, has colorful cartoon illustrations, and makes great conversation between mother and daughter. I would ask her questions to see if the content inside the guide is hitting home base. This is her first American Girl guide book and so far she’s up at night with a flash light reading this book. She enjoys reading and loves American Girl. Wish I had this book when I was a kid. This book gives a good foundation to respond to challenging or basic questions with confidents and grace. Excellent book!

How I wish I had this book in middle school! I bought this for my eight year old daughter who is tired of my husband and I scripting her to say things more politely or respectfully. We both love it! It's a colorful, engaging book laid out chapter by chapter on things to say in various social situations. Things to say for small talk (25 things to say after "hi" is page 1), things to say during sad times (when a friend's parent divorces, when a pet dies, when someone is terminally ill, etc), things to say when you need to make things right (how to apologize sincerely, clearly to friends, parents, teachers, etc), how to compromise, things to say when you're embarrassed, ways to handle bullies (and color-coded types of responses to bullies), ways to say no, things to say when you're feelings are hurt and on and on and on. This is a fantastic resource for any kid who is stumbling along, trying to be confident and not fall flat on their face (and the book gives a tip or two on what you can say then too). Even adults can get something out of this book. The scripts are easy to read and to understand and the confidence tips are scattered throughout as helpful bonuses. I couldn't recommend this book more highly.

This book (is highly recommended for tweens and teens) who don't know what to say in certain situations. So these can find the words to fit any situation. Have you ever been stuck searching for the right words, but just couldn't find it? You felt yourself freezing up, forgetting, stuttering or even hurting people's feelings without realising it- but this book will make you search for the right words!! This book talks about what to say to know someone better, what to say to a new student, what to say to adults, compliments and body language, if you want something from an adult then what to say, what to say to resolve friendship troubles, how to compromise and get it right, what to say to your parents, how to say no, asking for what you want, how to apologise if you betray your friend and hurt someone on purpose, how to apologise to your teacher and if you forget something important. What to say if a friend betrays you, how to stand up, what to say if you are being bullied, how to stay strong around mean kids and dealing with difficult adults. This book also talks about some really tricky situations like what to say when a friend's pet dies, what to say when someone you know is sick, what to say if your friend is moving away, what to say if you are moving away, what to say about divorce, what to say if someone in your family dies, what to say someone in your friend's family dies, how to support a sad person. What to say to personal talks, what to say at embarrassing moments of you and your friends. How to avoid hurting someone's feelings , how to accept gifts and say thank you, what to say when you are grateful. Look inside the book for tips tools and techniques to help you untangle your tongue and speak out with grace and confidence!

Acheté pour l'apprentissage de l'anglais, il fait bien l'affaire car les textes sont très courts, avec beaucoup de dessins. Par contre sans beaucoup d'interet s'il était en francais: il serait adapté plutot pour un enfant de 9 ans, plutot pour 5 ou 6 ans.

I bought this book for my 9 year old daughter who is quite sensitive and needs some help being a bit more assertive. I also bought 'Stand up for yourself and your friends', another Smart Girls Guide. Although very American, both books are extremely helpful in giving ideas of how to respond in tricky situations without being aggressive or a pushover, or clamming up, not knowing what to say. I have recommended the book to several friends and would recommend to anyone with a pre-teen daughter. The 'Stand up for yourself' book has quizzes to help you understand whether a situation they encounter is bullying or not. This is really useful as at this age it can be hard for them to understand when they need to involve a parent or teacher and when they just need to be more assertive. 'Knowing what to say' has a wide variety of situations, such as what to say when someone is ill, when a friend's pet dies and when girls in your class are excluding another child. Really simple ideas and easy to read. Highly recommended.

Incredible read. Super helpful in many different topics! Perfect amount of information without going over board. Great tips. In my opinion every girl should have to read this!

This is easy to read and understand and my 9 year old enjoys learning from it. She has trouble with friends and often finds herself not knowing how to say no f.ex. Great for tweens!