Grade 3-6. Author Judy Blume reads this lively recording of her novel Dutton, pap. 1972 , and her voice perfectly personifies Sheila's scrappiness and bravado. Listeners will be drawn easily into the familiar story of Sheila's summer escapades?city kid transplanted to the suburbs where she's forced to deal with her fears and misconceptions about dogs, swimming, and not being the preeminent know-it-all she always thought she was. When she and Mouse Ellis become friends, Sheila learns that saving face is not necessary to keep a friendship. The story harkens back to the time when children lived with two parents in cozy neighborhoods and met in the afternoons at the pool. Listeners will be charmed by the story's strong female heroine and will happily follow Sheila through her summer adventures
