Judy Blume Documented Essay

Judy Blume was born on February 12, 1938 in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She was the daughter of Rudolph and Esther Sussman. She attended New York University in 1961 and graduated with a B.S. in education. On August 15, 1959, Judy Blume married John Blume, but they were divorced in 1975. On May 8, 1976, Judy married Thomas Kitchens and is still with him. She has written 22 books and more than 65 million copies of her books have been sold. She has won more than 90 awards. Blume only began to write after her children entered nursery school in the mid 1960’s, and now is a well known wri

Although Judy Blume has had her share of books censored, she has managed to keep readers interested and wanting more. Numerous critics have faulting her novels for lacking depth, but many critics have praised Blume’s “ability to recreate the colloquial speech of young adults and commend her portrayal of adolescents who come to terms with their changing bodies.” (CLC Vol. 30) Although more then six million copies of her novels have been sold, many school libraries have considered them inappropriate for adolescent readers and banned the novels. Judy Blume is one of the most controversial young adult authors, despite this, her books are valuable to her legion of young readers who get most of their private questions addressed without having to talk to adults. Although Judy Blume may have had her books banned from public libraries, her legion of young readers show a complete interest in her novels, finding answers to questions that may be difficult to ask, showing that she has a true accurate sense of her readers’ concerns. Perhaps, Judy Blume will write more novels on hard to talk about subjects, in which a reader can really connect. Although not all of Blume’s books do not deal with such topics as menstruation, masturbation, and teenage sexuality. She has been praised even though for “her warmly treatment of a universal female concern.” (CLC Vol. 12) Judy Blume may be censored for what she writes, but supports and defends American citizens’ constitutional right to freedom of speech. The literary world would not be the same without Judy.

“Are you there God? It’s Me, Margaret” has two main themes: Margaret’s search for a religious identity, and her worries of the physical signs of puberty. Margaret has just moved to New Jersey from Farbrook, and soon makes friends with three girls. They share secrets, worry about boys, gossip on the phone, and their developing figures. Margaret is also preoccupied about what religion identity she is, being born to a Jewish father and a Christian mother. Throughout the story, she “talks” to God about her own feelings and problems.

“To discover the key to Blume’s popularity, one has to look beyond the realistic trappings and didactic intentions of the “problem” book to a closer study of why her narrative techniques work especially well with children. One has to understand the way in which thes techniques are used to communicate a style of experiencing and perceiving the self and the world and a definition of what

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