Free Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

feeling bad about not getting the part of Wendy in the play. She'll get over it," Mom said.
     
        "She thinks she didn't get it because she's ugly."
     
        "She's making excuses. And she's feeling ugly. Looks are all a matter of how you feel, you know. If you feel beautiful you are beautiful! It all comes from inside."
     
        "No kidding!" I said. "I never knew that."
     
        Mom smiled.
     
        "Why don't you tell that to Libby?" I asked.
     
        "I tried," Mom said. "But she wouldn't listen. Here, have a carrot."
     
        "Thanks," I said, taking it. I think I could live on raw carrots. They are the best-tasting food in the whole world.
     
        That afternoon I went to the pool with Mouse and Betsy. Mom said she would stay home with Libby and try to cheer her up.
     
        "Do you think I'm ugly?" I asked Mouse.
     
        Betsy answered, "Yes. But I love you just the same. And so does Ootch."
     
        "Oh, Betsy!" Mouse said. "Sheila's not ugly and you know it."
     
        "Okay," Betsy said. "You're not ugly."
     
        "Libby says I am," I told Mouse. "She says I look just like her and that she is one of the ugliest people on earth!"
     
        "She's stupid!" Mouse said.
     
        "I know that . . . but do you think she knows what she's talking about when she says I'll look just like her some day?"
     
        "Definitely not," Mouse told me.
     
        I was happy to hear that.
     
        The next day Libby decided to learn every part in the play. She says this is just in case someone gets sick at the last minute and she has to play another part-like maybe Wendy!
     
        I asked her if she plays Wendy, then who will be Captain Hook, and she says I am very dumb to even ask such a question. I don't understand Libby at all.
     
        Me and Mouse have finished painting six huge trees and now we are starting on the archway. When Wendy and the other kids walk through it that means they are in Never-Never Land. They aren't going to fly across the stage like they're supposed to. They're just going to pretend by flapping their arms.
     
        The problem is the archway won't stand up by itself. Every time we put it on the stage it falls to one side. So Mike, the counselor in charge of scenery, says that me and Mouse are going to have to stand behind it and hold it up while the play is going on. Mouse doesn't want to. She says she's too embarrassed. But I think it will be great fun to be on the stage holding up such an important piece of scenery.
     
        All of our parents are invited to the play, plus anyone else who wants to come. Daddy is tacking a note about the production on the bulletin board at college. He is sure some of his students will want to see the show.
     
        The girl who is playing the part of Wendy is Maryann Markman. I think her name is very good for an actress. It sounds better than Libby Tubman. I wonder why my mother and father didn't think of that when they named my sister. Sheila Tubman doesn't sound much better, but at least I don't want to be a famous actress or ballerina. And, anyway, I could always call myself Sunny Tub or something like that.
     
        The one thing I have noticed about Maryann Markman is that when she's rehearsing she sings very nice and loud and is pretty good at her part. But as soon as anyone who isn't in the play sits down to watch she sings so soft you can hardly hear her. I wonder what will happen the night of the play.
     
        Libby is still hoping Maryann will get sick and that she will have to play the part of Wendy. Since I'm always on the stage holding up the scenery I'm learning all the parts too. That way, if Libby winds up playing Wendy, maybe I can be Captain Hook.
     
        Finally the night of the play came. Daddy gave Libby a rose in honor of the occasion. "Oh, Father!" Libby cried. "You are too thoughtful!"
     
        I'm glad this play will be over tonight. I'm sick of my sister, the