Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

Sheila Tubman, a ten-year-old girl who appeared in previous Judy Blume novels, gets her own story as she spends a summer in Tarrytown with her family. Throughout the summer, Sheila confronts her many fears including dogs, swimming, and spiders, while also dealing with making new friends and navigating family relationships. The story explores themes of courage, self-acceptance, and personal growth as Sheila learns to be honest about her anxieties rather than covering them up with tall tales. This realistic fiction helps children understand that everyone has fears and that facing them is part of growing up.