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[CCBC-Net] Beginning the Discussion of Books by Judy Blume
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From: Anthony, Jennifer <JAnthony>
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 19:00:41 -0400
I'm 38, and Judy Blume is a literary icon of my generation. All I have to do is say her name to girlfriends, and there is always a gasp, followed by a reverent pause. Then stories begin to spill out. We discuss our favorite book at the time, which book was most scandalous, which one we read time and time again.
Her popularity was due, in part, because we felt respected as tween readers. Blume dared to tackle controversial issues in a straightforward, non-condescending way. I learned about things that no one talked about in school (or at home).
In sixth grade, Forever was a cult favorite. The girls at my school wrapped the book up in what was supposed to be a "plain" white book cover (which, of course, only called more attention to it), read the book on the sly, and passed it from friend to friend.
I was the youngest child of three, and when my oldest brother (aka second mother) saw me reading Then Again Maybe I Won't, he told my mother that he didn't think I was old enough to handle it. So I just kept the bookmark in the same place and finished reading the book.
Judy Blume opened our hearts and our minds, made us question the world around us, and sometimes made us pull out all the stops just to keep reading.
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Kathleen T. Horning Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 2:41 PM To: CCBC-NET Subject: [CCBC-Net] Beginning the Discussion of Books by Judy Blume
With books such as "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" and
"Forever", Judy Blume broke new ground in children's and young adult literature by acknowledging the complex feelings associated with puberty
and sex. Her honesty was riveting and welcome to many readers, especially children and teens, but was sometimes viewed as inappropriate
by some adults, who sought to suppress them.
What are your own experiences with Judy Blume's books? Did you read yourself when you were younger? Has your opinion of them changed over time? Have they stood the test of time and are kids today still reading them? Tell us what you think!
KT
Date: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 19:00:41 -0400
I'm 38, and Judy Blume is a literary icon of my generation. All I have to do is say her name to girlfriends, and there is always a gasp, followed by a reverent pause. Then stories begin to spill out. We discuss our favorite book at the time, which book was most scandalous, which one we read time and time again.
Her popularity was due, in part, because we felt respected as tween readers. Blume dared to tackle controversial issues in a straightforward, non-condescending way. I learned about things that no one talked about in school (or at home).
In sixth grade, Forever was a cult favorite. The girls at my school wrapped the book up in what was supposed to be a "plain" white book cover (which, of course, only called more attention to it), read the book on the sly, and passed it from friend to friend.
I was the youngest child of three, and when my oldest brother (aka second mother) saw me reading Then Again Maybe I Won't, he told my mother that he didn't think I was old enough to handle it. So I just kept the bookmark in the same place and finished reading the book.
Judy Blume opened our hearts and our minds, made us question the world around us, and sometimes made us pull out all the stops just to keep reading.
-----Original Message----- From: ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
[mailto:ccbc-net-bounces at ccbc.education.wisc.edu] On Behalf Of Kathleen T. Horning Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 2:41 PM To: CCBC-NET Subject: [CCBC-Net] Beginning the Discussion of Books by Judy Blume
With books such as "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" and
"Forever", Judy Blume broke new ground in children's and young adult literature by acknowledging the complex feelings associated with puberty
and sex. Her honesty was riveting and welcome to many readers, especially children and teens, but was sometimes viewed as inappropriate
by some adults, who sought to suppress them.
What are your own experiences with Judy Blume's books? Did you read yourself when you were younger? Has your opinion of them changed over time? Have they stood the test of time and are kids today still reading them? Tell us what you think!
KT
-- Kathleen T. Horning Director Cooperative Children's Book Center 4290 Helen C. White Hall 600 N. Park St Madison, WI 53706 Phone: 608-263-3721 FAX: 608-262-4933 horning at education.wisc.edu http://www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/ _______________________________________________ CCBC-Net mailing list CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe... http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-netReceived on Thu 02 Oct 2008 06:00:41 PM CDT
