Otherwise known as Sheila the great (by Judy Blume)

(Amazon UK link)

One light children's fiction book wasn't enough for me after a busy Christmas. So I picked up another - one I hadn't previously read. I had read some children's books by Judy Blume, an American writer, when my sons were younger. 'Tales of a fourth grade nothing', for instance, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and its two sequels.

'Otherwise known as Sheila the great' is also a kind of sequel to these books. But it focuses on a girl called Sheila rather than the boys of the other stories. It feels as if it was intended for a slightly older audience, too, perhaps 10-14 in age.

Sheila goes away for the summer in the book. During this time she learns a great deal about herself and her feelings, and starts to overcome her fears.

I didn't like it as much as the author's more amusing books for younger children, but it passed the time.

Review copyright 1999 Sue's Book Reviews