Sheila brodhead
I'm a writer, college educator, psychologist, and saxophonist. I love writing middle-grade novels and picture books. My characters are based on interesting and quirky people I meet in my travels.
My writing has appeared in Highlights Magazine, Goldfinch, as well as several regional literary magazines and professional newsletters.
I'm a PAL member of SCBWI.
Contact me at: sheilabrodhead@gmail.com
My books
My Daddy Has Sleep ApNEa
Annie’s dad snores and it’s driving her crazy! And his daytime napping interferes with their playtime. But when he’s diagnosed with sleep apnea, Annie must find a way to overcome her worry about the disorder and the CPAP equipment he uses to treat the problem. Available on amazon.com.
Sleep apnea is a family disease. The symptoms interfere with interpersonal relations at all levels—spouse, children, and work. Treatment helps the whole family. Since CPAP is the treatment of choice for most patients who are symptomatic, family acceptance of therapy is important for holistic health and relationships. My Daddy Has Sleep Apnea gives children an understanding about the positive impact that occurs with CPAP use and how all of the family benefits. It is always good to have the real Daddy 'back'.B. Gail Demko, DMD (Dr. Demko is past President of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and a specialist in oral appliance therapy for the management of sleep apnea.)
This is an important and fun book for every family that has children and a parent who has sleep apnea. Sleep apnea can have severe impacts on family life and relationships. Not only is the person with apnea tired and at risk for health problems, but the spouse and children also suffer poor sleep because of snoring (often a symptom of sleep apnea). A tired parent may not be giving attention to the spouse or children, and a child can be upset and bewildered. Although there are books addressed to the needs of adults, this book addresses the needs of the child. Dr. Sheila Brodhead, informed by her personal experience as well as her clinical work, has created a charming picture book for children that models how a parent can reassure a child about the nature of sleep apnea and the treatment. Treatment can restore the patient to health, and thus restore the normal life of the family, and they can once again have fun together.Jerry Halberstadt, co-author of "Sleep Apnea---The Phantom of the Night."
MY WEIRD NEIGHBOR
All eleven-year-old Jenkins wants is a new neighbor who loves baseball. But instead, he gets a geeky kid named Clyde who digs holes, is obsessed with mushrooms and fungus, and spouts American history like a college professor. Even worse, Clyde shows up in Jenkins’ class and becomes his science fair project partner. Clyde insists that bad rye bread is the cause of the Salem witch hysteria and this should be their project topic. Jenkins reluctantly goes along, but is suspicious when Clyde avoids using a computer and calls a pen a “quill.” During a field trip to Salem where they’ll display their project, Clyde mysteriously disappears from a museum basement. While frantically searching for him, Jenkins discovers something remarkable that will change his opinion about his new friend Clyde and their history-making science project. Available at amazon.com
Weird Trip Back to Salem
When eleven-year-old Jenkins Towne travels to a Massachusetts museum to present his science fair project, he has no idea that his missing classmate Clyde, who turns out to be a 17th-century Puritan, will whisk him back to 1692 and beg him to help end the witch trials and save his mother. An evil sheriff and a devil-obsessed minister stand in their way, but when Jenkins discovers that his sister, accidentally sucked back in time, has been accused of witchcraft, Jenkins and Clyde must race to come up with a plan to save her and 150 others from the noose on Gallows Hill. Available at amazon.com
Finding my way home
Jodi is an eleven-year-old girl who has a loving, yet stressful relationship with her younger, autistic brother. She loves him, but his disability complicates her life. Everything centers around Tyler, even a move to New Jersey so he can attend a special school. Jodi wishes that once in a while things would be about her. She’s conflicted when she learns that her dad wants custody of her, but not her brother. To make matters worse, at her new school she’s the target of a bully who calls her “Undies.” During an unexpected encounter with this troubled boy in the Museum of Natural History she discovers they have something important in common. Jodi learns to stand up for herself and maybe, just maybe, has found a new friend.
My inspiration for Jodi is my daughter, whose brother has autism, and my experience as a psychologist working with families of children with disabilities. The prevalence of autism is staggering, and the siblings of these children are underserved in many ways. My hope is that this story will help them feel less alone. Not yet published.
The haunting of avondale theater
Windows fly open. A disembodied spirit comes to play and the ghostly presence repeatedly utters “the play’s the thing.” It’s enough to scare the pants off of any child, but eleven-year-old Susan sets aside her fear and vows to banish the spirit who is haunting her grandmother’s Victorian home and the adjacent theater.
Through determined detective work, Susan and her new friend Gabe discover the abandoned theater's secret.
Since middle-graders love mysteries, they’ll identify with Susan and her friend Gabe as they work together to solve the mystery of The Haunting of Avondale Theater. Middle graders who enjoy books like Sheila Turnage’s The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, will enjoy this tale. Not yet published.
Tears and fears and a shiny silver flute
Eleven-year-old Emily Winston has a dream-- to play a flute solo with the school band, if she can ever get out of the house. Emily has separation anxiety. Big time. When her mom can no longer stay at home to home-school her, Emily must return to the place she fears. When she does, she has some rough times but discovers she has more inner strength than she ever expected, and might even be able to play that flute solo.
My inspiration for this story is my life as a musician.
Not yet published.