This post is a wonderful tribute to a writer who obviously meant a huge amount to you, but also more generally it’s a great explanation of why fiction matters and what literature can do. I wish I’d had Blume in my adolescence - my rather conventional mother kept a strict eye on what I read and it was all good girls and ponies until I discovered Charlotte Brontë!
Thanks, Joanna. Ah yes...I think the books you describe are the reason Judy wanted to write books that really spoke to young girls about topics they actually wanted to read about!
The children's and YA writing market of today, and the authors in those genres, are in considerable debt to her for increasing the narrative potential within them.
Oh this is a wonderful trip down memory lane. My secondary school library had book charts written on huge pieces of sugar paper and 'Are you there God' was ALWAYS at the top. I went through all of them (and have just disappeared down a rabbit hole remembering Paula Danziger too!) and of course I remember a copy of 'Forever' being passed around with the relevant page tabbed down! Surely an early 90s teen rite of passage! Excellent essay and will definitely look out the documentary, thanks Kate.
Ah, I'm glad to have sparked some teen memories for you, Claire! Yes...a lot of her books were passed around our school, too! I hope you enjoy the documentary; I watched it with my (now grown up) daughter, and have to confess to a couple of teary moments!
I love Judy! Like you say, her books about teens may have been written at a different time, but I still loved reading them as a teen myself in the 2010s. It’s amazing how honest and open she is about sex and relationships - great essay :)
I admit I never read anything by Blume myself, but my fifth grade teacher read the FUDGE series to the class and we loved it! She seems like a remarkable woman and I think it's very touching that she attended the graduation of a fan she'd never met because the graduate's parents could not make it.
I loved reading Judy Blume as I few up too, this was a nostalgic and comforting read. Facing my teen years with scoliosis myself, Deenie was very helpful in simply realising that I wasn’t the only one! xx
Thanks Lyndsay, it must have been helpful to encounter a character who reflected your own experience. Thanks for reading, glad to have provided some nostalgia 💞
I never read her growing up as her books were never translated in Bulgaria but my best friend has been buying them for my daughter and I can’t wait to read them with her. I watched the documentary and loved the contrast of her unassuming nature with the force of her message and the clarity of her intellect. A singular human and writer!!!
This post is a wonderful tribute to a writer who obviously meant a huge amount to you, but also more generally it’s a great explanation of why fiction matters and what literature can do. I wish I’d had Blume in my adolescence - my rather conventional mother kept a strict eye on what I read and it was all good girls and ponies until I discovered Charlotte Brontë!
Thanks, Joanna. Ah yes...I think the books you describe are the reason Judy wanted to write books that really spoke to young girls about topics they actually wanted to read about!
The children's and YA writing market of today, and the authors in those genres, are in considerable debt to her for increasing the narrative potential within them.
Definitely! I agree 💯
Oh this is a wonderful trip down memory lane. My secondary school library had book charts written on huge pieces of sugar paper and 'Are you there God' was ALWAYS at the top. I went through all of them (and have just disappeared down a rabbit hole remembering Paula Danziger too!) and of course I remember a copy of 'Forever' being passed around with the relevant page tabbed down! Surely an early 90s teen rite of passage! Excellent essay and will definitely look out the documentary, thanks Kate.
Ah, I'm glad to have sparked some teen memories for you, Claire! Yes...a lot of her books were passed around our school, too! I hope you enjoy the documentary; I watched it with my (now grown up) daughter, and have to confess to a couple of teary moments!
This is wonderful Sarah thank you. Downloading the documentary as I type...it's on Amazon Prime
Thanks, Rob! I hope you enjoy it.
I love Judy! Like you say, her books about teens may have been written at a different time, but I still loved reading them as a teen myself in the 2010s. It’s amazing how honest and open she is about sex and relationships - great essay :)
Oh, I’m glad you enjoyed this! I know you’re also a fan 😀
Because of you 😍❤️
💖
I admit I never read anything by Blume myself, but my fifth grade teacher read the FUDGE series to the class and we loved it! She seems like a remarkable woman and I think it's very touching that she attended the graduation of a fan she'd never met because the graduate's parents could not make it.
I know, right?! Imagine her turning up at your graduation! So sweet of her.
What a great tribute, Kate. And your essay also shines a light on the importance of early reading.
Thank you, Victoria! 💕
💕
I loved reading Judy Blume as I few up too, this was a nostalgic and comforting read. Facing my teen years with scoliosis myself, Deenie was very helpful in simply realising that I wasn’t the only one! xx
Thanks Lyndsay, it must have been helpful to encounter a character who reflected your own experience. Thanks for reading, glad to have provided some nostalgia 💞
I’m such a fan girl, too! Her work is truly courageous.
Right?! Such an icon 💖
I never read her growing up as her books were never translated in Bulgaria but my best friend has been buying them for my daughter and I can’t wait to read them with her. I watched the documentary and loved the contrast of her unassuming nature with the force of her message and the clarity of her intellect. A singular human and writer!!!
Absolutely! I hope you enjoy them.
Loved this. Farley Drexel Hatcher is the best. ‘Bonjour stupid’ when he takes Uncle Feather into school is such a great part.
I’d forgotten about Uncle Feather!! Such classics 😍