When reminiscing about the milestones of young womanhood—like the first period, the first bra, or the first kiss—there’s one pivotal experience that often gets overlooked: the first time you dive into Forever… by Judy Blume. As an awkward, book-loving pre-teen, I eagerly devoured Blume’s works, from Superfudge to Blubber and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. However, one book was shrouded in mystery.
My older sister owned a well-worn copy of Forever…, featuring a cover image of a girl who seemed to have all the answers about love and relationships. “This book is way too mature for you,” she declared, as if she had unlocked some secret wisdom that I could never understand. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued.
At twelve, I couldn’t resist the allure of the so-called “grown-up” content. So, I stealthily borrowed my sister’s copy and read it under the covers with a flashlight—multiple times. I was particularly fixated on the scene where Michael and Kath take their relationship to the next level. Eventually, I feared returning the book, so I discreetly disposed of it in the school cafeteria trash can.
Forever… taught me the basics of intimacy—like the importance of a “sheath” to avoid “VD” and that some guys name their private parts. Kath’s mother’s famous line, “you can’t go back to holding hands,” resonated deeply with me. But Blume’s wisdom stretches beyond just that book. In honor of her 77th birthday, let’s reflect on the lessons I gleaned from her works.
Lessons from Judy Blume’s Books
In Iggie’s House, I learned that while the end of a friendship might feel catastrophic, it’s not the end of the world. It also opened my eyes to the subtle casual racism that permeates our surroundings.
From Blubber, I discovered that the guy next to me in class was actually picking his nose and saving it on a piece of notebook paper—yikes!
In Deenie, I found out there’s a term for “touching your special place.”
Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself taught me that being the source of a lice outbreak is perfectly okay, and that sometimes, your worst nightmares can come from unexpected places—like your neighbor being Hitler.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret made me realize that while some girls were eager to start their periods, I was dreading mine. I learned that getting your period doesn’t mean the end of childhood as we know it.
Then Again, Maybe I Won’t revealed the complexities of boys, including things like erections and wet dreams. Who knew that the guy saving his boogers was also dealing with all that?!
In Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, I discovered that not every hyperactive little sibling is as cute as I thought. Spoiler alert: cuteness is fleeting!
Otherwise Known As Sheila the Great reminded me that girls can be downright mean, but they can also forgive and move on.
Finally, It’s Not the End of the World illustrated the reality of divorce, and the comforting reminder that sometimes, clichés can provide solace.
In conclusion, Judy Blume’s books provided me with a treasure trove of lessons about growing up, friendship, and navigating the complexities of young womanhood. These stories shaped my understanding of relationships and life, teaching me to embrace the journey of growing up.
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