Judy Blume's Long History With Censorshipĭespite being a help and revelation to young people, many adults had difficulty with the existence of Blume's novels. Once she entered adulthood, Blume became the comforting and familiar, yet unknown friend that young people could be vulnerable with, especially in a world in which adults still downplay and laugh at kids' problems and struggles. According to the documentary, a young Blume felt that adults were always keeping secrets from children. Many of the kids that wrote to her at the time of the book's release described feeling seen when it came to things that they felt they could not discuss with anyone else, such as menstruation and sex. The publishing of the novel in 1970 ended up cementing Blume as a universal confidant for many young readers, receiving letters and maintaining years-long correspondences with young people looking for advice and someone who would listen to them.

The young girl begins to confide in God due to the lonely feelings both of these topics bring on. The new film adapted from Blume's work is about Margaret, who struggles to find herself amidst confusion about puberty and religion. She was, however, able to confide in friends about many things, except lying about getting her period, a moment that makes its way into the book and now film adaptation of Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. Similar to many, Blume grew up not feeling comfortable asking questions about changing bodies and discovering sexuality, especially with her parents.

Rather than view these moments in everyone's life as strange or shameful, Blume has allowed readers to be more forgiving towards themselves and others by leaning into the humor and awkwardness. Inspired by her own early life, her books often include scenes reminiscent of many people's childhoods that might otherwise make them squirm, such as discussing puberty in school for the first time and obsessing over getting a larger bust size. Whether it be fascination surrounding menstruation in Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret, or navigating sex in a first relationship in Forever., Blume has been able to capture emotions unique to specific life events in an honest and often humorous way.ĭue to her candor in her books for younger people, Judy Blume is also one of 'the most censored writer(s) of children's books,' according to the documentary.

While she has books for people of all ages, Blume's work revolves around growing up and the lessons to be learned along the way and has paved the way for the young adult genre. She is well-known for speaking honestly about topics often considered sensitive, such as puberty and sexuality. Writer of your younger selves' favorite books like Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and the Fudge series, Judy Blume and her stories have been a comfort and support system for people of all ages since the 1970s.

Forever... by Judy Blume