The last thing Sarah Ida wants to do is spend the summer with her Aunt Claudia. But when her parents send her away because of problems at home, that is exactly what she has to do! With no allowance and no fun to be had, Sarah Ida decides to look for a job. The only person who will hire her is Al, the man who runs the shoeshine stand, and soon she is knee-deep in shoe polish. Then something happens and it looks like the shoeshine stand will have to close forever. If Sarah Ida wants to keep it open, she'll have to learn a few lessons about growing up along the way... Ten-year-old Sarah Ida'hostile and uncooperative at home, and heading for trouble'becomes less self-centered and more self-reliant after a summer job at her aunt's. Children's Books of 1975 (Library of Congress)

William Allen White Children's Book Award 1977–78

Sequoyah Children's Book Award 1978 (Oklahoma)

Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award 1978 (Arkansas)

South Carolina Children's Book Award 1980