Judy Blume
Judy Blume
A remarkable figure of her time
ARTS & CULTURE | May 2023
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In February 1938, Judith Sussman was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey. This child would later take the identity of Judy Blume, who became one of the most prevalent authors of the 20th century.
Many years later, she created her first book: The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo (1969) while teaching an education course.
Her first real mark in the literature world came when she released: Are you There God? It's Me, Margaret (1970). This book is from the perspective of sixth grader Margeret and her adolescent experience in the world of religion, puberty, and identity. It was an audacious book for a new author. Many teens and preteens showed support for the book and related to the character. However, it did not go over as well with some of the adult audience.
Blume was perpetually criticized, and the book was banned several times in the 1980’s. Fortunately, the novel persevered through its time, and the new movie adaptation, starring actress Rachel McAdams, is in theaters now.
Judy Blume in 1979. Photo credit: Evening Standard/Hultive Archive via Getty Images
Blume was so rare in her time because she had the courage to write about controversial topics and wrote them well. She released several books in the coming years, building her reputation as a leading young adult author. From Wifey (1978), a book fueled by her experience with divorce, to Tiger Eyes (1980), a book dealing with grief from parental loss, Blume has explored genres well beyond teenage issues.
She also released her fair share of children's books that are still relevant today. Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (1972) is part of a five-book series called the Fudge series.
When recalling the books, Century Star staff writer Mercedes Vanover explained, “I remember how much I felt seen and related to this character [Fudge] when I read it in elementary school.”
In Forever (1975) is about teenage Katherine and her experience with first love. In March of 2023, Florida's Martin County School District removed this novel from their shelves, nearly 50 years after its release. It goes over one of the most touchy subjects in the eyes of literature: teenage sexuality. The novel is number seven on the American Library Association's list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of the 1990s.
“It is much worse now than it was in the 1980s,” said Blume to BBC in London regarding book banning in 2023 versus previous decades. Blume fought for her books to stay on shelves and became a dignified and honored member of the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC), which originated in 1974.
In spite of quickly being labeled a target for book banning, she still receives overwhelming admiration for her books.
”You can't give in to any of the censors. I don't care where they're coming from. Because we'll have nothing then. Something will be offensive to someone in every book, so you've got to fight it.”
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