Families who loved Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child uses bravado or bragging to mask their anxieties. It is a perfect choice for children who feel pressured to appear fearless or 'cool' while secretly struggling with common childhood phobias like dogs, water, or insects. The story follows Sheila Tubman during a summer in Tarrytown where her tough-girl persona is challenged by swimming lessons and new social dynamics. It gently explores the difference between the person we present to the world and who we really are inside. Parents will appreciate how Judy Blume validates that it is okay to be afraid, while encouraging the honesty required to overcome those fears. It is an accessible, humorous, and deeply relatable read for the 8 to 12 age range.
