If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say by Leila Sales

Back in the spring, I read a book This Song Will Save Your Life and I really liked it.  I ordered this book because it was written by the same author.  I've been in a bit of YA book slump trying to find a book to catch and keep my interest. This morning I had a bit of time on my hands, so I grabbed this book and it was just what I needed. 

If you don't have anything nice to say digs into what happens when mistakes are made in today's world of social media.  Winter, is a 17 year old senior.  She is a smart girl who has her future completely mapped out for her.  Then one night she sends out a tweet as a joke that goes viral and suddenly the whole world is mad at her.  She loses her friends, has hurt her family and has no idea what to do next.  The rest of the story explores how Winter deals with the fallout of one mistake that could happen to anyone. 

I thought this story was brilliant from many different angles.  The idea for kids to realize that what you post online stays there forever, and that when you comment or criticize someone, you don't always have the whole story.  I so often see the impacts of words exchanged online, I think people forget that behind the keyboard is a real person.  Hopefully this book will help people realize that their words do have power and can hurt. 

I think this is a book that could be read aloud in an Intermediate classroom for sure- I would suggest you read this one for yourself.