Natalie's Secret

A parent might reach for this book when their child is struggling with the weight of a secret, especially one that involves a friend's wrongdoing. Natalie's Secret follows a young girl whose best friend, Meredith, is cheating in the school spelling bee. Natalie is the only one who knows, and she becomes trapped between her loyalty to her friend and her own conscience. The secret begins to feel like a heavy burden, affecting her mood and her other relationships. This story is a gentle, realistic exploration of honesty, guilt, and the social pressures of friendship for children ages 9 to 12. It provides a perfect, low-stakes scenario to open up conversations about integrity, the difference between tattling and speaking up, and the courage it takes to do the right thing, even when it's hard. It models how honesty, while difficult, can ultimately strengthen friendships and restore one's sense of self.