The sometimes controversial author, judy blume, has approached many young adult subjects such as sibling rivalry, alcoholism, suicide, and sexuality. Judy blume continues to write for children and adults. The book title, and the plot of the novel itself, revolved around real events that occurred during blumes early life. It was published by the berkley publishers in the year 1972. The fudge series written by judy blume consists of 5 books in total, published between the years 1972 and 2002. Judy blume is an author that is bestknown for her young adult novels with controversial subjects. She got high acclaim after releasing her novel called are you there, god. In 1996, she won the margaret edwards award from the american library association for her contribution to writing for teens. Thematically, the song cultivates in the listener an understanding of blume s role in palmers adolescent life, blume s books influential in palmers understanding of intimate and femalecentered subjects such as puberty, menstruation, and the male gaze, and universal. Blume published her first book, the one in the middle is the green kangaroo, in 1969.
If they had sex the girl was always punishedan unplanned pregnancy, a hasty trip to a relative in. The narrator of the story is jill brenner, a pennsylvania fifthgrader who joins her classmates in ostracizing and bullying linda, an awkward and overweight girl. Linda gives an oral class report about whales and is hence nicknamed blubber by her peers. The new yorker has called her books talismans that, for a significant segment of the american female population. Lawrence lucierfilmmagic quick facts name judy blume birth date february 12, 1938 age 82 education new york university place of birth elizabeth, new jersey.
What it means, how it affects all of us, what to do about it. I read every judy blume book, including the ones where the lead characters had problems that made no sense to me then again maybe i wont for example or where i had outgrown the superfudge. She had read several novels about teenagers in love. Blubber is a childrens novel by judy blume first published in 1974. Judith blume was born on february 12, 1938 and grew up in a jewish family in elizabeth, new jersey. The ten facts you need to know about judy blume, including life path number, birthstone, body stats, zodiac and net worth. Her novels for children and young adults have exceeded sales of 80 million and have been translated into 32 languages. Some of her best known works are are you there god. When i was nine and ten i was a lot like sally curious, imaginative, a worrier, she writes.
Jan 21, 2020 the book appears on the list of the 100 most frequently challenged books of 19902000 at number seven on the american library association. February 12, 1938 is an american writer of childrens, young adult ya and adult fiction. When she published forever in 1975, parents and teachers everywhere were steaming mad about the story of a girl and her boyfriend who decide to have premarital sex. Her frank and open discussions of such issues as peer pressure, puberty, love, and divorce led to. Blume is the subject of the 2018 song judy blume by amanda palmer. She is also known for her childrens books and controversial adult novels such as wifey. Judy blume biography, books and facts famous authors. Popular judy blume books meet your next favorite book. Judy blume was born on february 12, 1936 to rudolph and esther sussman.
Despite her critics, blumes books have sold over 82 million copies and theyve been translated. It is the first book in her series surrounding fudge, which includes superfudge, fudgeamania, and double fudge. Judy blume writes stories about the issues that kids think about things like sibling rivalry, freckles, friends, and school. They have been published in more than 20 languages.
Blume graduated with honors from her high school, battin, and went on to boston university. Blume began writing stories for her own children, but quickly became the definitive author of books on the many adventures and trials of childhood and adolescence. We recommend acclaimed author judy blumes adult realistic fiction hit summer sisters 1998. Judy blume has written more than 20 books for children and adults. Judy blume facts, bio, family, life, updates 2020 sticky. Judy blumes love, writing about kids ages 912 author judy blume talks with renee montagne about how a suburban housewife in new jersey turned into one of the countrys most celebrated childrens. Deenie was one i reread frequently the reason the book is so often challenged is due to the scenes in which deenie talks about massaging a. Blume feels so strongly about the lack of communication between children and their parents that she used the profits from sales of letters to judy, among other projects, to help finance the kids fund, which she established in 1981. In judy blume s book superfudge, the main characters peter and fudge hatcher had to deal with, adjust, and overcome two major challenges. In this lesson, we will learn about judy blume, a wellknown young adult author. Farley, known as fudge, a very naughty boy thinks he is a superhero. Judy blume books list of books by author judy blume. While married to john blume, judy began to work as a. Many of her books are about the challenge preteens face when growing up in middleclass america.
Book summary the story centers on a year old girl named wilmadeene fenner or deenie who is always being taking to modeling agencies by her mother thelma who wants her to be a model and also wants deenies sixteen year old sister, helen, to be a doctor. Judy blumes birthday welcome to facts 4 me display of information. She was forced to quit college after a year because of a disease that caused her to have too many large white blood cells. Blume has always felt the issues that kids deal with on a daily basis are the ones they want to read about. Judy met her first husband at new york university and married him during the summer of her freshman year. Meeting judy blume at the 2014 scbwi summer conference i cried ill be gradually enhancing the following pages to include extra resource material and links, interesting facts and trivia, plus sketches and a peek into the illustration process for the. Along with her writing, she has developed a reputation for engaging with fans over twitter. Judy blume born judith sussman on february 12, 1938 is an american writer. Judy blume books, ebooks, audiobooks, biography barnes. Judy blume biography, age, family, books, video and net worth. A proponent of intellectual freedom, blume has also penned such books as wifey 1978 and in the unlikely event 2015 for adult audiences. His name was john blume and they had two children randy lee and lawrence andrew. Born in 1938 and raised in elizabeth, new jersey, she graduated from new york university with a bachelors degree in education.
Judy blume, american author known for creating juvenile fiction that featured people and situations identifiable to young readers. What it means how it affects all of us, what to do about it. Apr 24, 2016 judy blume published tales of a fourth grade nothing in 1972. While her frankness, firstperson narratives, and ability to portray the concerns of her audience with humour made her a remarkably popular and awardwinning author. Judy blume born february 12, 1938 is a popular american author. Nov 16, 2018 judy blume talks about this book being her most autobiographical novel. She was born judith sussman on february 12th, 1938. Her approach to these stories is warm and understanding and grows from her own feelings and concerns as a shy child. Blumes picture and storybooks, as well as the fudge series, are beloved for their humor, while her books for young adults offer.
Blume s novels for middle schoolers were among the first to tackle such controversial matters as racism iggies house, menstruation are you there god. Judy blumes first novel for adults in 17 years is about a ninthgrade jewish girl and her new jersey community in the aftermath of three plane crashes in the town. Judy blume published tales of a fourth grade nothing in 1972. While her frankness, firstperson narratives, and ability to portray the concerns of her audience with humour made her a remarkably popular and awardwinning author, her works. The new yorker has called her books talismans that, for a significant segment of the american. She is also involved in a new project adopting her earlier childrens novels into home videos. Blumes novels for middle schoolers were among the first to tackle such controversial matters as racism iggies house, menstruation are you there god.
Young adult novels are ones that are fiction and geared towards. Judy blume, originally named judith sussman, is an awardwinning, bestselling author for children, teens, and adults. Perhaps the most popular contemporary author of works for. After a brief overview of her life, we will learn about her books. Judy blume talks about this book being her most autobiographical novel.
Judy blume did, too, only the novels she wrote were for young adults. Jun 27, 2017 i read in the unlikely event with a mix of curiosity and anticipation, knowing that the second plane crash described in judy blumes book was based on the reallife crash that hit my familys home in 1952 and is the central event in my memoir, replacement child seal press, 20. Needless to say, judy blume has had a career that so many dream of. His older brother peter, knows he is not a superhero but a big pain.
I read in the unlikely event with a mix of curiosity and anticipation, knowing that the second plane crash described in judy blumes book was based on the reallife crash that hit my familys home in 1952 and is the central event in my memoir, replacement child. Multimedia, interviews, biographical resources, honors, publications, translations. Judy blume is a contemporary american young adult novel writer. She was forced to quit college after a year because of a disease that caused her to have too many large white blood. Judy blume biography judy blume is a contemporary american young adult novel writer. Judy blume was born on february 12th, 1938 in new jersey, united states. Tales of a fourth grade nothing is told from the perspective of peter hatcher, fudges nineyearold brother, and centers around the mischief that fudge causes. Most of her novels are focused on sensitive teenage issues and often the subject matter of her novels attracts a lot of controversies. The book appears on the list of the 100 most frequently challenged books of 19902000 at number seven on the american library association. Like sally, judy grew up jewish and worried that there would soon be another war like the one which had just ended in 1945.
She has written many novels for children and young adults. She began writing during the 1960s, but she became famous during the 70s. The book won the best book of the year award runner up 1975 and margaret a. Blumes picture and storybooks, as well as the fudge series, are beloved for their humor, while her books for young adults offer relatable stories. Most of her novels are focused on sensitive teenage issues and often. Deenie is a young adult novel published in 1973 which is written by judy blume. February 12, 1938 is an american writer of childrens. Her most famous books are the tales of a fourth grade nothing books. The debut book of the series is titled as tales of a fourth grade nothing. While married to john blume, judy began to work as a teacher and writer. Want to know how judy came to write each of her books.