Kids into books: Otherwise Known as Shelia the Great

Author: Judy Blume

Illustrator: Colin Thomas

Publisher: Macmillan, $13.95

Age group: 6 - 12 years


'Sheila, that was a very foolish thing to do in this heat,' Mom told me. 'Now go into your room and lie down for a while before supper.'

'Do I have to?' I asked.

'Yes, you do. Libby will go to the store and get the milk.'

Libby did three flying leaps before she said, 'Can't you see I'm in the middle of a record?'

'The record can wait,' Mom said. 'I need the milk for supper and Daddy will be home soon.'

'But, Mother! I'm in my leotard,' Libby said.

Libby used to say Mom, like me. But since she started junior high it's Mother this and Mother that. She is very strange.

Mom told Libby, 'You can put a skirt over your leotard and nobody will notice.' Then she looked at me. 'Sheila, what are you waiting for? I said go and lie down.'

'Okay ... okay,' I said. 'I'm going.' I took off my shoes and arranged them on the floor so that the toes pointed towards my bedroom.