Shirley Zigler

Shirley Zigler is an Odyssey girl frightened by almost everything, including mice, heights, turtles, stuffed animals, darkness, and bugs. Jake and Danny tease her fears until Jake lures her into the basement of Whit's End for a prank. When stored items collapse and injure him, the flashlight is lost and the train set upstairs drowns out their calls. Shirley must cross the dark basement alone to find help. Praying and singing, she moves forward despite her terror and reaches Whit. Her courage makes the rescue possible and even leaves her grateful for the ordeal. Nervous but faithful when someone needs her, Shirley learns that bravery does not require feeling unafraid; it means acting while fear is still present.