Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

This isn't a book you read for fun—it's a book you read because your kid came home crying about being uninvited to a birthday party or excluded at recess. And for that purpose, it's excellent.

Trudy Ludwig nails the confusing hot-and-cold dynamic of relational bullying. Monica's internal conflict ('I love being around Katie when she's nice') will resonate hard with kids who can't figure out why their friend is sometimes their best friend and sometimes their worst enemy. The mom's response is pitch-perfect: supportive, validating, but empowering rather than rescuing.

The score reflects what this is: a therapeutic tool that does its job well but isn't going to be anyone's favorite book. It's not imaginative, it's not particularly entertaining, and you're not going to reach for it unless you need it. But when you need it, you really need it, and it delivers. The included resources make it useful for parents and teachers, not just kids.

One caveat: the NIU Psychology review points out it's a bit simplistic in portraying bully/victim roles as fixed rather than fluid. Fair criticism, though for a picture book addressing a specific problem, some simplification is probably necessary. Think of it like a first aid kit—not comprehensive, but helpful in the moment.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6-10, particularly kids in the thick of elementary school friendship drama. This is the sweet spot for relational aggression—old enough to have complex friendships, young enough to benefit from a picture book format. Tweens might find it babyish unless they're specifically seeking help.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Tackles relational aggression with emotional honesty while showing a supportive parent-child relationship. Monica's journey from confusion to empowerment models healthy coping strategies. The book doesn't sugarcoat the pain of emotional bullying but handles it with age-appropriate care, validating kids' experiences while offering hope and practical solutions.

Imaginative

52

This is a straightforward narrative about a real-world problem. It's educational and therapeutic rather than imaginative. The story serves its purpose—helping kids identify and cope with relational bullying—but doesn't invite creative play, exploration, or wonder. It's a tool, not an adventure.

Safe

92

Extremely safe for its target audience. Addresses emotional bullying directly but without graphic content or traumatic depictions. The presence of a supportive mother and the resolution-focused narrative prevent this from being triggering. Includes discussion questions and resources for parents and educators. The only reason it's not higher is that the subject matter itself—being excluded and manipulated by a friend—can be emotionally difficult for kids currently experiencing it.

Enriching

85

Highly enriching for its specific purpose. Gives kids vocabulary for relational aggression, validates their feelings, and provides concrete strategies for reclaiming power. The included resources, discussion questions, and foreword from The Ophelia Project founder make this a genuine learning tool. Strong 4.7 Amazon rating suggests it resonates with families. However, it's more therapeutic than broadly educational—you read it to solve a problem, not to grow in multiple dimensions.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Names the invisible: helps kids identify relational aggression (the eye-rolling, excluding, hot-and-cold friendship manipulation) that adults often miss
Shows a supportive mom who listens and helps without taking over—models what good parenting looks like in these situations
Includes actual resources: discussion questions, tips for parents and teachers, foreword by The Ophelia Project founder
Validates the confusing feelings kids have when a friend is sometimes nice, sometimes cruel—'I don't understand why' hits hard
Offers concrete strategies for reclaiming power rather than just 'tell an adult' platitudes

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What to Watch For

This is medicine, not candy—it's for kids dealing with emotional bullying, not casual bedtime reading
Some kids might see themselves as Katie (the bully) and that could be uncomfortable but also valuable
The NIU Psychology review notes it portrays characters somewhat simplistically as 'just victim' and 'just bully,' though that's arguably appropriate for the age group
If your kid isn't experiencing this, it might feel like homework rather than a story

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever had a friend who's sometimes really nice and sometimes really mean? How did that feel?"
"What do you think Monica could have said to Katie when she was being mean?"
"Why do you think Katie acts that way? What might be going on with her?"
"If you saw someone being left out like Monica, what could you do?"
"How did Monica's mom help her? What did she do that was useful?"

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