Maya is excited to befriend the new girl at school, Bailey, when their teacher selects Maya to be Bailey’s Welcome Buddy. Soon the two girls are friends, and while Maya enjoys Bailey’s bubbly energy and jokes, a few incidents start to make Maya uneasy about Bailey’s way of talking and teasing. Then Bailey spreads a rumor around school about Maya and her family. After speaking to Ms. Bloom, the school counselor, Maya learns that there is a name for Bailey’s behavior: 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,” Ms. Bloom explains. With Ms. Bloom’s help, Maya identifies strategies for avoiding trouble talk. Even though Bailey crossed a boundary, Maya realizes that it is possible, with time, to rebuild trust if a person is willing to change. The realistic scenarios presented in this powerful picture book will resonate with readers and help them explore unhealthy relationships. Multimedia illustrations enhance the emotional aspects of the situation. The foreword, author’s note, discussion questions, and additional resources provide valuable information for parents and educators. (Ages 6–10)

Maya's friend Bailey loves to talk about everything and everyone. At first, Maya thinks Bailey is funny. But when Bailey's talk leads to harmful rumors and hurt feelings, Maya begins to think twice about their friendship.

In her fourth book for children, relational aggression expert Trudy Ludwig acquaints readers with the damaging consequences of "trouble talk"-talking to others about someone else's troubles in order to establish connection and gain attention. Includes additional resources for kids, parents, and teachers, as well as advice from Trudy about how to combat trouble talk. Trudy Ludwig's books have sold more than 50,000 copies. Includes foreword by Dr. Charisse L. Nixon, author of Girl Wars: 12 Strategies That Will End Female Bullying.