cover image Sister in the Shadow

Sister in the Shadow

Anne Warren Smith. Atheneum Books, $11.95 (169pp) ISBN 978-0-689-31185-7

Beset by confusion and jealousy when her younger sister becomes more popular than she is, Sharon takes a summer mother's helper position 60 miles away. Her charge, preschooler Tim, is precocious and miserably spoiled, and his cold mother won't let him live a normal life. Why is she so tense and overprotective? In unfolding the tragedy of crib death that lies behind the mystery, Sharon gains perspective about her own past year. Smith gives the characters both quick-paced action, and sharp, cerebral dialogue and internal monologue. Sharon's funny introspection is exemplified by her questions to herself, ""What would Mary Poppins have done?'' An impressive debut, detailing the effects of family constellations. (1014)