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Judith Blume (née Sussman; born February 12, 1938) is an American writer of chapter books, young adult, and adult fiction. She began writing in 1959 and has published more than 26 novels. Among her best-known works are Superfudge (1980), Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (1970), Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (1972), Deenie (1973), Blubber (1974) and Double Fudge (2002). Blume's books have significantly contributed to children's and young adult literature. She was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023.
Blume was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and graduated from New York University in 1961. As an attempt to entertain herself in her role as a homemaker, Blume began writing stories."Judy Blume (1938–)." The American Women's Almanac: 500 Years of Making History, Deborah G. Felder, Visible Ink Press, 1st edition, 2020. Accessed 10 December 2020. Blume was one of the first young adult authors to write novels focused on such controversial topics as masturbation, menstruation, teen sex, birth control, and death. Her novels have sold over 82 million copies and have been translated into 32 languages.
Blume's novels have been praised for teaching children and young adults about their bodies. Judy Blume: Banned often, but Widely Beloved. NPR, Washington, D.C., 2011. However, in the United States, the topics of her works have generated criticism, The Genius of Judy controversy and she is one of the most frequently banned authors in US schools and libraries. There have been several film adaptations of Blume's novels, Judy Blume Hits the Big Screen with 'Tiger Eyes' Adaptation. NPR, Washington, D.C., 2013. including Tiger Eyes, released in 2012 with Willa Holland starring as Davey, and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret., released in 2023. A large collection of her papers is held at the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University.
Blume graduated from the all-girls' Battin High School in 1956, then enrolled in Boston University. A few weeks into the first semester, she was diagnosed with mononucleosis and took a brief leave from school. In 1959, Blume's father died. That same year, on August 15, 1959, she married lawyer John M. Blume, whom she had met while a student at New York University. Blume graduated from New York University in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in Education.
A few years later, a mutual friend introduced Blume to George Cooper, a former law professor turned non-fiction writer. They got married in 1987.Richards, Linda L. (2008). "Judy Blume: On censorship, life, and staying in the spotlight for 25 years". January Magazine. Retrieved December 10, 2010. Cooper has one daughter from a previous marriage, Amanda, to whom Blume is very close.
In August 2012, Blume announced that she was diagnosed with breast cancer after undergoing a routine ultrasound before leaving for a five-week trip to Italy. Six weeks after her diagnosis, Blume underwent a mastectomy and breast reconstruction. Blume was cancer-free following this surgery and able to recover."Judy Blume 'Stronger' After Cancer Surgery." The Windsor Star, September 7, 2012.
Randy Blume became a therapist with a sub-specialty in helping writers complete their works. She has one child, Elliot Kephart, who is credited with encouraging his grandmother, Judy Blume, to write the most recent "Fudge" books. Lawrence Blume is now a movie director, producer, and writer. As of 2021, Cooper and Blume resided in Key West.
In 1975, Blume published the now frequently banned novel Forever, which was groundbreaking in young adult literature as the first novel to display teen sex as normal.Cart, Michael. "Young Adult Literature." Continuum Encyclopedia of Children'
Accessed 13 Nov. 2020. Blume explained that she was inspired to write this novel when her daughter, 13 years old at the time, said she wanted to read a book where the characters have sex but do not die afterward.Coburn, Randy S. "A Best-Selling but Much-Censored Author / from Sex to Scoliosis, Judy Blume's Frank Topics are both Favored and Feared: FINAL." San Francisco Chronicle (pre-1997 Fulltext), August 12, 1985, p. 15. These novels tackled complex subjects such as family conflict, bullying, body image, and sexuality. Blume has expressed that she writes about these subjects, particularly sexuality, because it is what she believes children need to know about and was what she wondered about as a child.
After publishing novels for young children and teens, Blume tackled another genre—adult reality and death. Her novels Wifey (1978) and Smart Women (1983) reached the top of The New York Times Best Seller list. Wifey became a bestseller with over 4 million copies sold. Blume's third adult novel, Summer Sisters (1998), was widely praised and sold more than three million copies.Lopez, Kathryn Jean (September 30, 2000). "Early Blumers: In defense of censorship". National Review Online Weekend. National Review. Despite its popularity, Summer Sisters (1998) faced a lot of criticism for its sexual content and inclusion of homosexual themes. Several of Blume's books appear on the list of top all-time bestselling children's books. As of 2020, her books have sold over 82 million copies and they have been translated into 32 languages. Although Blume has not published a novel since 2015 ( In the Unlikely Event), she continues to write. In October 2017, Yale University acquired Blume's archive, which included some unpublished early work.
As well as writing, Blume has been an activist against the banning of books in the United States. In the 1980s, when her books started facing censorship and controversy, she began reaching out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, to join the fight against censorship. This led Blume to join the National Coalition Against Censorship which aims to protect the freedom to read. As of 2020, Blume is still a board member for the National Coalition Against Censorship. She is also the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation. Blume serves on the board for other organizations such as, the Authors Guild; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; the Key West Literary Seminar; and the National Coalition Against Censorship." In 2018, Blume and her husband opened a non-profit book store called Books & Books located in Key West.
Blume's novels have received much criticism and controversy. Parents, librarians, book critics, and political groups have wanted her books to be banned.Gay, Andrews D.. “Judy Blume; children's author in A grown-up controversy.” The Christian Science Monitor, Dec 10, 1981. When her first books were published in the 1970s, Blume has recalled facing little censorship. Since 1980, Blume's novels have been a central topic of controversy in young adult literature.Blume, Judy, and Linda Richards. "January Interview: Judy Blume."
In 2012, Blume's 1981 novel Tiger Eyes was adapted into a film version.Duke, Charles R. "Judy Blume's Tiger Eyes: A Perspective on Fear and Death." Children's Literature Review, edited by Jelena Krstovic, vol. 176, Gale, 2013. Gale Literature Resource Center
Blume is the subject of the 2018 song "Judy Blume" by Amanda Palmer. Thematically, the song explains to the listener Blume's role in Palmer's adolescent life. The song explains Blume's books as influential in Palmer's understanding of intimate and female-centered subjects such as puberty, menstruation, and the male gaze, and universal subjects like molestation, eating disorders, poverty, grief, and parental divorce.
Blume is the subject of the Peabody Award-winning documentary Judy Blume Forever, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. was released as a feature film in 2023.
In 2025, Blume's novel Forever was adapted into a Netflix series show.
Reception
Blume's novels have been read by millions and have flourished throughout generations. Judy Blume: Banned often, but Widely Beloved. NPR, Washington, D.C., 2011 . The element in her work readers are said to love most is Blume's openness and honesty regarding issues like divorce, sexuality, puberty, and bullying. Her first-person narrative writing has gained positive appraisal for its relatability and its ability to discuss difficult subjects without judgment or harshness. Following the publishing of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (1970), Blume received many letters from young girls telling her how much they loved the book and identified with Margaret. Female novelists have praised Blume for her “taboo-trampling” literature that left readers feeling like they learned something about their bodies from reading her books.Allan, Susan. "The Blume Generation; are You there Judy Blume? it's Me, a Middle- Aged Woman: Final." The Ottawa Citizen, September 8, 2007, p. K6. For example, Deenie (1973) explained masturbation and Forever (1975) taught young women about losing their virginity. Blume's children's books have also been praised for their delicate way of portraying the hardships that kids can face at a young age.Oppenheimer, Mark. "Why Judy Blume Endures." New York Times Book Review, Nov 16, 1997, pp. 44. It’s Not the End of the World (1972) helped many kids understand divorce and the Fudge book series explored the various aspects of loving siblings despite the rivalry.
. Accessed 16 Nov. 2020. Originally published in January Magazine, 1998. Critics of Blume's novels say that she places too much emphasis on the physical and sexual sides of growing up, ignoring the development of morals and emotional maturity. Five of Blume's books were included in the American Library Association (ALA) list of the top 100 most banned books of the 1990s, with Forever (1975) in seventh place. Forever is censored for its inclusion of teen sex and birth control.“Judy Blume.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/biography/Judy-Blume Blume recalls that the principal of her children's elementary school would not put Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret in the library because the story involves menstruation. Conservative and religious groups continuously attempt to ban Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret for the novel's portrayal of a young girl going through puberty claiming that it violates certain religious views. Blume's children's novels have also been criticized for these reasons, especially Blubber (1974), which many believed sent the message to readers that kids could do wrong and not face punishment.
Awards and honors
Judy Blume has won more than 90 literary awards, including three lifetime achievement awards in the United States. In 1994, she received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement. The ALA Margaret A. Edwards Award recognizes one author who has made significant contributions to young adult literature. Blume won the annual award in 1996 and the ALA considered her book Forever, published in 1975, was groundbreaking for its honest portrayal of high school seniors in love for the first time. In April 2000, the Library of Congress named her to its Living Legends in the Writers and Artists category for her significant contributions to America's cultural heritage. Blume received an honorary doctor of arts degree from Mount Holyoke College and was the main speaker at their annual commencement ceremony in 2003. In 2004 she received the annual Distinguished Contribution to American Letters Medal of the National Book Foundation for her enrichment of American literary heritage. "Distinguished Contribution to American Letters". National Book Foundation. Retrieved March 12, 2013.Wyatt, Edward (September 15, 2004). "Literary Prize for Judy Blume, Confidante to Teenagers". The New York Times. In 2009, the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) honored Blume for her lifelong commitment to free speech and her courage to battle censorship in literature. Blume also received the 2017 E.B. White Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters for lifetime achievement in children's literature. In 2020, Blume was named an Honoree for Distinguished Service to the Literary Community by the Authors Guild.
Media adaptations
The first media adaptation of Blume's novels was the production of a TV film based on Blume's novel Forever that premiered on CBS in 1978. Forever is the story of two teenagers in high school, Katherine Danziger and Michael Wagner, who fall in love for the first time. The film starred Stephanie Zimbalist as Katherine Danziger and Dean Butler as Michael Wagner. A decade later, in 1988, Blume and her son wrote and executive produced a small film adaptation of Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great. The film was later shown on ABC. In 1995, a Fudge TV series was produced based on Blume's novel Fudge-a-Mania. The show ran from 1995 to 1997 with the first season aired on ABC and the second on CBS. The series starred Jake Richardson as Peter Warren Hatcher, the storyteller, and Luke Tarsitano as Farley Drexel "Fudge" Hatcher.
. Accessed 10 Dec. 2020. Originally published in Censored Books II: Critical Viewpoints, 1985-2000, edited by Nicholas J. Karolides, The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 2002, pp. 414-418. This was the first of Blume's novels to be turned into a theatrical feature film. Tiger Eyes is the story of a teenage girl, Davey, who struggles to cope with the sudden death of her father, Adam Wexler.Swann, Christopher. "Judy Blume: Overview." Contemporary Popular Writers, edited by Dave Mote, St. James Press, 1997. Gale Literature Resource Center
. Accessed 10 Dec. 2020. The screenplay was co-written by Blume and her son, Lawrence Blume, who was also the director. Tiger Eyes stars Willa Holland as Davey and Amy Jo Johnson as Gwen Wexler.
Works
Children's books
Young adult books
Adult books
Collaborative short stories
Non-fiction books
Other awards
Blume's other awards include:
Further reading
External links
Categories: Official Website, 1938 Births, Living People, 20th-century American Jews, 20th-century American Novelists, 20th-century American Women Novelists, 21st-century American Jews, 21st-century American Novelists, 21st-century American Women Novelists, American Erotica Writers, American Feminist Writers, American Women Children's Writers, American Women Writers Of Young Adult Literature, American Young Adult Novelists, Battin High School Alumni, Jewish American Artists, Jewish American Children's Writers, Jewish American Novelists, Jewish American Feminists, Jewish American Women Writers, Margaret A. Edwards Award Winners, Novelists From New Jersey, People From Scotch Plains, New Jersey, American Women Erotica Writers, Writers From Elizabeth, New Jersey, Writers From Plainfield, New Jersey, People From Los Alamos, New Mexico
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