Kids into books: Otherwise Known as Shelia the Great

Author: Judy Blume

Illustrator: Colin Thomas

Publisher: Macmillan, $13.95

Age group: 6 – 12 years


I line them up every day before my father comes home. It's part of a private game Daddy and I play. I am always hiding somewhere and Daddy has to find me. His only clue is my shoes. I invented this game when I was seven and we've been playing it ever since.

Libby says when she was ten she acted a lot more grown-up than me. I think she missed out on some good fun. Anyway, Daddy would be disappointed if I stopped playing our game.

Libby and I share a bedroom. I stretched out on my bed while Libby turned the closet upside down looking for a skirt.

'You are a pain!' she said to me. 'You know that, Sheila? You are a real live pain!'

I didn't answer her.

'Why'd you walk up the stairs ... huh?'

I still didn't answer.

'Did you see a dog in the elevator? I'll bet that's it. I'll bet Mrs Reese was in the elevator with Baby.'