Most Controversial Judy Blume Books

By Margaret Bristol for Bookish:

Way before Katniss fought for her life in "The Hunger Games" and Edward met Bella in "Twilight," before "Sweet Valley High" and "The Baby-sitters Club," there was Judy Blume. With over 20 titles under her belt, Blume has been a driving force in young adult literature since the 1970s, and her books still fly off the shelves. So why is reading Blume's books a rite of passage for so many adolescents? Puberty is an awkward time for all of us, and Blume's relatable fiction covers myriad common tween and teen experiences including, sex, menstruation, divorce and bullying. In honor of the grand dame's 74th birthday this Sunday, here are five of her groundbreaking books that have made the American Library Association's list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books.

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Comments

[msoverall]

10:12 AM on 02/23/2012

I read all of these books except for Tiger Eyes. Love Judy Blume, she tells it like it is for kids/teens.

[MeganNicole White]

12:43 PM on 02/22/2012

I loved these books growing up! I still love Judy blume, and my daughter will read them as well!

[flyinghigh0905]

09:55 AM on 02/16/2012

I don't know if I read any of these books, but the people who take issue with them are psychos. This woman is putting out true life in book form, for girls who are hit on all sides with pressure from family, friends, school, any religious organization or other groups... to be perfect. And our society tries to condemn letting girls know that it's okay to be a girl and that various parts of growing up are normal. That's truly messed up.

[Opera Diva]

10:52 AM on 02/13/2012

This is a fantastic slideshow. I've only read 2 of them but would love to read them all.

[CASnyder]

09:46 PM on 02/13/2012

Ditto - I'd forgotten that Micheal in Forever had an STD - I hope he was always using a condom with her in the book, but I can't remember that, either.
Tiger Eyes - sad that Blume had to pull a scene that made sense to the story in hopes that more younger kids would get to read it if she self-censored. I agree that all kids should have access to the books so as to get help with dealing with some of the really serious issues it deals with, but I also think kids need to know very early that it isn't bad for them to touch themselves. Most kids learn very early where touch feels best on their bodies just from caring for themselves, and far better they give themselves the good feelings than seek it from others before they are ready for all the consequences.

[Stickman125]

09:18 PM on 02/12/2012

Wow I just realized that I grew up reading books that taught me how deal with issues that I would encounter in real life. And kids today have been learning how to get into Gryffindor and what to do if you fall in love with a werewolf! Wonder which will be more useful.

[Billie Munday]

02:42 PM on 05/02/2012

These are wonderful books, but I also think that the Harry Potter books have wonderful life lessons as well. These books teach about loyalty, friendship, and the drive to do the right thing even in the face of opposition. They just teach those values with a different platform that is appealing to a different generaton of children.

[skiski15]

09:08 PM on 02/12/2012

I remember reading the Judy Blume books and yes I can remember my friends and I laughing over some of the stuff an thinking this what happens. But it's all part of life so we encourage all young people to read these books.

[therblig]

08:44 PM on 02/12/2012

"Are you there, GOP? It's me, Sarah"

[iknowscottyknows]

09:50 PM on 02/12/2012

"Are you there, liberals? It's me, logic. Hello? Locked out again."

[AliveInNYC]

07:13 PM on 02/12/2012

I never really thought of Judy Blume as controversial

[Aurora Campbell]

06:55 PM on 02/12/2012

I read these, then I went to a garage sale when I was 14 and picked up this stack of Judy bloom books thinking "cool! Judy bloom has more books!".... my jaw dropped and lets just say... it was curtainly interesting. to be honest I was rather surprised those were not on here. so we dispute this stuff but not... adultery? wow... those who dispute a good book can kiss my ass... although wifey is still one of my favorites... and something I will make good and sure my sons never find out mommy has.

[garystartswithg]

07:45 PM on 02/12/2012

Why be a hypocrite? Give your kids copies for Christmas.

[Aurora Campbell]

03:14 AM on 02/15/2012

dude... my kids are still too little to even know how to read. even then... perhaps when they are much MUCH older. WAY older... older than I was preferably. the point only was I would never let them know "I" read them. I know how kids are. I must point out though... my children are FAR too young.

[texadonkey]

06:47 PM on 02/12/2012

I had to comment on this. I laughed whem I remembered sneaking my friends, mother's book out of her room to read this. It was the book Wifey and it blew our socks off. Norman's wet spot is still hilarious.

[Mr Ware]

06:42 PM on 02/12/2012

Is it just me or is this article strangely random?

[jwint077]

01:33 PM on 02/13/2012

It's just you; the rest of us read the part in the article that states "In honor of the grand dame's 74th birthday this Sunday, here are five of her groundbreaking books that have made the American Library Association's list of 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books."

[Mr Ware]

06:14 PM on 02/13/2012

So you honor someone by showing the books that people hated the most and not the most loved? Random.

[Amanda Hout Howell]

06:32 PM on 02/12/2012

I cannot think of anything less controversial than Judy Blume....is that just me?

[texadonkey]

06:55 PM on 02/12/2012

Nah, she's mild compared to cable now.

[garystartswithg]

07:44 PM on 02/12/2012

When you are talking people that think Harry Potter is Satan worship, then teen girls learning they have private parts is enough to make your head explode.

[moonflowerjewelry]

05:34 PM on 02/12/2012

I grew up in the southwest to parents who were fairly isolated, uneducated and we just didn't talk about "that stuff." I had no outlet for understanding my changing body and emotions, nor did I have exposure to the world beyond our town (we mostly didn't have a tv, and when we finally did, it was in the neanderthal days BC (before cable). I am so thankful for her writing :-).

[Eric Sandoval]

05:22 PM on 02/12/2012

Her books were nice books when I was a kid, so what's the problem?

[MaineSenior]

05:08 PM on 02/12/2012

I don't approve book banning, but if I were asked for my advice, I'd tell potential Judy Blume readers that she tackles worthwhile issues, but that the is so shallow in her thinking that I wouldn't take her as a role model, simply as an exemplar of trendy points of view.

[texadonkey]

06:49 PM on 02/12/2012

The one book that boys should read it "Then again, maybe I won't". Where the poor kid is wearing a raincoat to school everyday, because he's to afraid of something happening. Then he tells his dad he wants binocluars for bird watching, when he really wants to check out the neighbors daughter who undresses with the shades up. TOO FUNNY!