A Smart Girl's Guide to Knowing What to Say (American Girl) Paperback – June 1, 2011

I have not given this book to my 10.5 year old yet as I am still reviewing it before I hand it to her. I will say that some of the questions posed or situations and ways they give a way to say something is pretty spot on for this age group. I think this book is better read WITH an adult than on their own. This way you, as the adult, can get a better feel for how your child might react in these types of situations prior to how the book suggests.

My daughter needed a little help being assertive in certain situations and this book was perfect for that. She shared it with a friend who loved it too. I’m happy she feels more confident about speaking up. Great resource!

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: LivP.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 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.)

Real life examples, good illustrations. Not for kids over 14.

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.

I have a hard time always saying the right things for my daughter as she grows up. All of these books in the series has helped us both so much! We read them together and she goes over it by herself. It has really helped us open up and talk to each other about situation and how to handle them. Our communication skills with each other have gotten better. It has helped her so much learn how to deal with certain decisions. I highly recommend these to every parent that wants an open communication with there daughter but not sure how to go about it!!!

Not all young girls are extroverts this helps young girls start conversation and or be able to engage with them and feel comfortable

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.

I’m not sure what’s in it as haven’t read the whole book. But seen my daughter practicing suggestions and was enthusiastic when sharing about the book to her friends.Think helps with their confidence as was there but helped her connect to it more.

This is the sort of book that I wish I’d had when I was younger. In some situations it helps to have a script to fall back on. It is written with an American readership in mind but my daughter seemed to like it.

Good but very Americanised

Very good for a little girl who is having trouble with relationships at school. Easy to dip in & out of the chapters. Been very helpful to my daughter. Good advice. Slight Americanised, but does not detract from the message.