SISTER IN THE SHADOW

by Anne Warren Smith ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 1, 1986

An upbeat story of a high-school junior who overcomes feeling overshadowed by her younger sister by taking positive action. By the end of her junior year, Sharon Burgess needs to escape from the shadow cast by Penny, her extraordinarily talented and attractive sister. During summer break, Sharon lands a job at the shore as a mother's helper, hoping to ""fred herself"" and gain confidence. Andrea, the mother, has deep psychological problems, and can't let go of her child long enough for Sharon to prove herself as a babysitter. She even fires Sharon after an unexplainable fit of anger. Back at home, Sharon is again overwhelmed by Penny's world, and desperately looks for an out. When news comes that Andrea's husband Larry has been lost at sea, Sharon takes matters into her own hands and convinces Andrea to rehire her. During this stressful period, Sharon is able to break through Andrea's walls and helps her to face a profound problem from the past--one that caused her to give up a promising career as an artist. The warm friendship that ensues, and Sharon's new interest in the boy next door, help add to the gift's self-appreciation and acceptance. Smith draws upon the common theme of sibling rivalry, and gives readers an interesting and creative alternative to hostility. Well-realized characters come across as being very human, the novel's structure is skillfully executed, and the slow unraveling of Andrea's dark past is suspenseful enough to pull readers along to the satisfying resolutions.

Pub Date: March 1, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1986

Categories: CHILDREN'S