As a child, and even now as an adult, Judy Blume has been one of my favorite authors. The number of books she has written for kids is amazing, as is some of the controversy some of those books have garnered.
For more info on her life and even her banned books you can click here
You can check out NPR's interview with Judy Blume here.
I have to say that my personal favorite is Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself.
But what I wanted to mention in this post is the value Judy Blume as an author and an icon in the publishing industry. She has written stories that have not only touched the lives of young girls struggling through the process of growing up, but have changed their lives for the better. She has the ability to make things real and more easily understood.
Writing for girls aged 9-12 is not easy task, for anyone who has been in that category, you know how difficult that life can be, but Judy Blume helped make it fun.
Learn more about this remarkable author by visiting her website at http://judyblume.com/home.php and do the young girls in your life a favor and introduce them to the wonderful world of Judy Blume. You won't be sorry!
For more info on her life and even her banned books you can click here
You can check out NPR's interview with Judy Blume here.
I have to say that my personal favorite is Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself.
But what I wanted to mention in this post is the value Judy Blume as an author and an icon in the publishing industry. She has written stories that have not only touched the lives of young girls struggling through the process of growing up, but have changed their lives for the better. She has the ability to make things real and more easily understood.
Writing for girls aged 9-12 is not easy task, for anyone who has been in that category, you know how difficult that life can be, but Judy Blume helped make it fun.
Learn more about this remarkable author by visiting her website at http://judyblume.com/home.php and do the young girls in your life a favor and introduce them to the wonderful world of Judy Blume. You won't be sorry!
7 Comments on Judy Blume: The love of writing, last added: 1/5/2009
Display Comments
Add a Comment
I loved Judy Blume growing up, and the students in my class enjoy her just as much. They are shocked when I write in their reading journals that I read the same books when I was growing up. I think that speaks volumes as the work she wrote 30 years ago is still relevant today. She truly stands out as the only author I remember from my teen years.
So many kids are overwhelmed when we visit our school library. They don't know where to look for their favorites. Frequently, when a girl comes to me who is not an avid read, I take her to the section where the Blume books are located. Depending on her maturity level, I can almost always find something there for her. Anything from Freckle Juice to Forever, she covers the wide range of kids that show up in a 7th grade class.
My friend, June Sproat, a YA author who wrote Ordinary Me, said her inspiration was Judy Blume also. Judy has influenced many along the writing path.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Mrs. Shealy,
You might want to check out some of the titles we have over at Quake. I can recommend them all, but for girls in that age group, you'll definitely want to look at Mary Cunningham, Marlis Day, and Christine Verstraete.
I love hearing that kids so still go in libraries. According to the media, no one is reading. Hah!
That is why I am no longer going to live my life according to what the media says. I choose to be happy.
K
I was a little old for the Judy Blume YA books, which is a shame, since I'm certain they would have spoken to my teen angst. My only kiddo is a boy who reads mostly fantasy, altho his Language Arts class is introducing him to other genres he likes as well (Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men). But I am in awe of Blume's legacy as an author and I know many girls who felt a little less alone and awkward, knowing they weren't freaks of nature. I can only dream of affecting others' lives the way Judy Blume has.
For those of you who are in the South or willing to travel, The University of Southern Miss. Children's Book Festival is April 1 - 3 and Judy Blume will be the Southern Miss Medallion award winner and keynote speaker.
http://www.usm.edu/bookfest
Diana
http://www.WoofersClub.com
I write YA and every few years I go back and read Judy Blume's work. It's basic and straight forward--reminds me not to get too flowery and verbose, and keep the voice real.
Also--thanks for the advice you left on my blog earlier re: MS editing.
+1 on "Starring Sally J. Friedman as Herself." It was one of my favorites as well.
Judy Blume is a national treasure, indeed!