Mona's Secret Songs

What if your friends started a secret online campaign of cruelty, and you were too scared to stop them? That's Mona's agonizing dilemma when her popular friends, Barb and Jess, discover ShareNJam, a music app that allows anonymous playlist contributions. Their first creation? "BILLY'S LAME TUNES," a playlist designed to mock and shame a quiet classmate, Billy, who has no idea he's being targeted.

Mona knows it's wrong—a cowardly act of digital bullying that twists her stomach into knots. But speaking up against Barb, the group's leader, could turn the tables on her. Trapped between fear and a burning desire to do what's right, Mona must find a way to challenge the meanness without revealing herself. Can one girl, armed with nothing but secret songs of kindness, turn the tide and remind everyone of the dignity every person deserves?

This special short story, written by Tony Eetak was supported by The Arts Incubator Winnipeg, Art Borups Corners storytelling and literacy clubs and Global Dignity Canada to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Global Dignity. This short story for young readers includes a special discussion guide at the end that explores the principles of Dignity and Kindness for classes, families and book clubs to reflect on and discuss.