Written by: Prapya Mishra - 32049, Grade V
Posted on: 04 July, 2024
Title: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great
Author: Judy Blume
Genre: Children's Literature
About the book
This story is about a girl named Sheila. Sheila hates swimming, dogs, ghosts, spiders, and thunderstorms, but she doesn't admit she is scared of them. Especially not to her new friend, Mouse Ellis, the yo-yo champion of Tarrytown. Sheila is determined to show everyone that she really can be Sheila the Great.
Plot Summary
During summer vacation, Sheila and her family go to Tarrytown. They stay at Professor Ergan’s house. Sheila and her sister Libby are excited to have separate bedrooms, but Sheila wishes they had gone to Disneyland instead. When they arrive, they meet Professor Ergan’s small dog, Jennifer, which Sheila dislikes. Her parents convince her to stay, promising to keep Jennifer away.
Sheila doesn’t like Professor Ergan’s house or his three sons’ rooms. She is scared of ghosts, thunderstorms, spiders, dogs, and swimming. However, she learns to swim and becomes very happy. Her mother and her instructor, Marty, help her a lot. At summer camp, Sheila also does pottery and makes new friends: Mouse Ellis, Betsy Ellis, Sondra, and Jane. The Tubman family has a good summer vacation, and they are about to leave when they find out Jennifer is about to have puppies.
Character Analysis
Sheila Tubman: Sheila is a funny and interesting girl but she tends to lie. She is afraid of swimming, thunderstorms, dogs, ghosts, and spiders. But at the end, Sheila proves herself by overcoming her fear of swimming and becoming a great swimmer.
Libby Tubman: Libby is Sheila’s thirteen-year-old sister. She looks like a ballerina but dances poorly.
Mrs. Tubman: Sheila’s encouraging and caring mother who supports her family.
My Opinion and Recommendation:
I recommend this book because it’s the funniest book I’ve ever read. It talks about places like Tarrytown and is full of adventures. It is also a bit scary. I think everyone should read this book once in their lifetime. Sheila makes the book funny with her lies.
