Book Review: Deenie by Judy Blume

 

 

 

 

 

Author Bio

 

Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, NJ, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places, doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret; Superfudge; Blubber; Just As Long As We’re Together; and Forever. She has also written the best-selling novels Wifey; Smart Women; and, Summer Sisters. More than 75 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into twenty-six languages.

 

She receives thousands of letters each month from readers of all ages who share their feelings and

 

concerns with her.

 

Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year that American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. She has won more than ninety awards, none more important than those coming directly from her youngest readers.

 

She serves on the boards of the Author’s Guild, currently as Vice President; the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, where she sponsors an award for contemporary fiction; and the National Coalition Against Censorship, working to protect intellectual freedom. In Spring 2002, Judy was a spokesperson for the Cheerios “A Book for Every Child” literacy campaign which benefited Reading is Fundamental, America’s largest literacy organization. She is also the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation.

 

Judy’s first book in the Fudge series, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, was published in 1972. She is thrilled to be celebrating its 30th Anniversary with the publication of Double Fudge. Just as generations of fans have loved the Fudge books, generations of Judy’s family have inspired them. Thirty years ago, Fudge was inspired by her son, Larry, and now Double Fudge was written at the request of her grandson, Elliot.

 

Judy lives on islands up and down the East Coast with her husband George Cooper. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

 

 

 

Cover of Deenie

 

Deenie

 

Judy Blume’s classic novel about the pressure of looking perfect – reissued with an eye-catching new look. Rediscover the original queen of teen.

 

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books; 4 edition (3 Jun 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0330398113
• ISBN-13: 978-0330398114

 

My Review

 

This short book is aimed at a young pre=teen audience.  Deenie is a 7th grader who has a mum and aunt who adamant that one day she will be a famous model.  Their expectations for Deenie’s sister, Helen, are that she will have some type of high flying academic career.  Neither of these things are what the girls want for themselves.

 

Deenie is discovered to have scoliosis of the spine and has to wear a back brace for four years.  This causes deep insecurities and embarassment for Deenie and she is worried that the one boy she likes will no longer be interested.

 

The book is told from Deenie’s perspective with the correct thought processes of a girl her age.  The characterisation is very good for all the character’s who are all very different from each other.

 

This has been a banned and challenged book due to some of it’s content which focuses on female masturbation for comfort and on Deenie’s questions about sex as a young adolescent, but I felt the subjects were covered sensitively and accurately.

 

The general style and simplicity of the book put me in mind of a readership age of about of about 10 years old or maybe even younger but the content is more appropriate for girls aged 12-14.  This is a disparity which does not work.

 

I also felt that the ending was rather abrupt, more could definitely been said.

 

Overall I would give this book 3/5 stars.

 

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~ by adelesymonds on March 9, 2013.