Customer Reviews

Trouble Talk

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best books for children I've ever read. Trouble Talk tackles, so well, so completely, the REAL social problems that kids have to deal with - the rumors, the difficult friendships, difficult relationships, forgiveness, lies, trust...and the story is told so realistically. I could clearly hear all of the characters' voices in my head! This book would be perfect for a teacher to read to her students. I think it would spark such wonderful discussions about the above listed topics. Kids can learn so much from this book, and from each other, if only we talk about these subjects as Trudy Ludwig so beautifully did.

There are so few books about the complicated layers of childhood friendships. As a school social worker, this is one of the first I've seen that addresses relational aggression in a very real way. I'd recommend this book for 2nd-5th graders (especially girls), perhaps reading to a halfway point and then stopping to ask questions of the class. What would you do if you were this character? How do you think this one feels? There are also some very helpful tips for discussion at the end of the book.
My only issue with the book is that it has a nice tidy ending, like several of Ludwig's stories. It might be helpful to have a conversation with kids about this--how realistic is this ending? How might things happen at your school in this situation?

Smart book about how words can hurt a friendship--and how friendships can heal. Trudy Ludwig has made a difficult topic accessible to young readers. I recommend it highly.

Another great book by Trudy Ludwig! This is an excellent book for early elementary students. It would make a wonderful gift for the classroom. Teaching children early skills in conflict resolution is the way to a more peaceful adolescence, this books aids in the effort. A must have!

Trouble Talk, Trudy Ludwig's latest book, combines appealing characters, helpful adults, and great illustrations by Mikela Prevost to take on the important topic of rumors and gossip. Elementary school students, their parents, and their teachers will learn from this book- and enjoy themselves in the process.
Stan Davis, Author of Schools Where Everyone Belongs, and Empowering Bystanders in Bullying Prevention.

As a school counselor, I need more books like this!! 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!

I've been using this book for in my character development classes. It's a great book to start a discussion on friendship as well as gossip. The boys enjoy it as much as the girls.

Trudy Ludwig does an incredible job capturing the REAL life experiences of young people today! She addresses issues of various types of bullying, pressures of not being good enough, and overall friendship issues. I am a school counselor and I use her books regularly in classroom lessons and in individual sessions with stduents. I see their faces light up when they realize that "somebody 'gets' me!" At times in classroom lessons I could hear a pin drop! Pick up any of her books TODAY! I have enjoyed her books so much, I have invited her to come present at our school next fall, and I can't wait!

I love everything about this book! I love the very thoughtful and insightful Foreword by Dr. Charisse Nixon. I love Ms. Prevost's beautiful illustrations. And, most of all, I love Ms. Ludwig's story which illustrates the power of our words. Relational aggression is an issue that is now being discussed more openly in both homes and classrooms, and this is a great book to facilitate some terrific discussions. Highly Recommended!

I loved using this book as a read aloud in my classroom as we were studying bullying. It generated a lot of discussion from students and friends, rumors, and forgiveness.