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kmcneil's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up Blubber for the first time since I was in elementary school to remind myself why I liked Judy Blume's books so much as a kid. I remember loving Are You There God, It's Me Margaret, Then Again Maybe I Won't, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Deenie, and many of her other titles. When I was older, I read Forever (in secret, no doubt). As an adult I read Wifey and Summer Sisters. Basically, Judy Blume has been around all my life, and she has written books that have appealed to me throughout the years.
Clearly, Blume isn't a hot new author on the literary scene. The copyright date for Blubber is 1974, which means it came out when I was just 7 years old. But do her tales endure? Absolutely. Her novels for children reflect the struggles of kids in the 1970s as much as they reflect them today. When we read her books as kids, we felt an immediate connection. When we read them as adults, we get how her stories are just as true for kids today as they were years ago. What a gift to be able to tap into kids' psyches - to really understand the dilemmas they face, and make them feel less alone. Blume has managed to tap in the universality of childhood experiences.
Blubber, for those of you who might not remember (I didn't) is a story about bullying. Linda is a sixth grader who is a tad overweight. She is mercilessly teased by her classmates, with number one bully Wendy as the ring leader. Jill, the main character, thinks nothing of getting in on the taunts. She has no remorse for it. In fact, she doesn't really even think about it and just jumps on the bullying bandwagon. But, throughout the story, you find yourself liking Jill, and knowing that somehow she will turn around. Indeed she does, but it takes a very painful lesson for the turnaround to happen. Blubber isn't a didactic tale. Rather, it presents a story that gets kids thinking, and allows them to make their own decisions about what's right and wrong. Like many of Blume's books for children, Blubber it is written at a level that is perfect for upper elementary school students, and possibly even some middle school students. And that's exactly the time that they may be facing issues like bullying.
So, thank you Judy Blume, for good writing, books that are still relevant today, and, most importantly, books that keep kids engaged in reading.
Clearly, Blume isn't a hot new author on the literary scene. The copyright date for Blubber is 1974, which means it came out when I was just 7 years old. But do her tales endure? Absolutely. Her novels for children reflect the struggles of kids in the 1970s as much as they reflect them today. When we read her books as kids, we felt an immediate connection. When we read them as adults, we get how her stories are just as true for kids today as they were years ago. What a gift to be able to tap into kids' psyches - to really understand the dilemmas they face, and make them feel less alone. Blume has managed to tap in the universality of childhood experiences.
Blubber, for those of you who might not remember (I didn't) is a story about bullying. Linda is a sixth grader who is a tad overweight. She is mercilessly teased by her classmates, with number one bully Wendy as the ring leader. Jill, the main character, thinks nothing of getting in on the taunts. She has no remorse for it. In fact, she doesn't really even think about it and just jumps on the bullying bandwagon. But, throughout the story, you find yourself liking Jill, and knowing that somehow she will turn around. Indeed she does, but it takes a very painful lesson for the turnaround to happen. Blubber isn't a didactic tale. Rather, it presents a story that gets kids thinking, and allows them to make their own decisions about what's right and wrong. Like many of Blume's books for children, Blubber it is written at a level that is perfect for upper elementary school students, and possibly even some middle school students. And that's exactly the time that they may be facing issues like bullying.
So, thank you Judy Blume, for good writing, books that are still relevant today, and, most importantly, books that keep kids engaged in reading.
alisebarr5's review against another edition
The FRIENDS & FICTION Official Book Club with Brenda & Lisa
2024 Book Club Challenge January
A book published in the year you were born. 1974
Blubber - women of a certain age if you would like to revisit the trauma of middle school I would recommend re-reading Blubber. Goodness I love Judy Bloom. I didn't know how to rate this. I'm sure my rating as a 12 year old would be different than now!! January complete.
2024 Book Club Challenge January
A book published in the year you were born. 1974
Blubber - women of a certain age if you would like to revisit the trauma of middle school I would recommend re-reading Blubber. Goodness I love Judy Bloom. I didn't know how to rate this. I'm sure my rating as a 12 year old would be different than now!! January complete.
canuckmum's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes, the bully doesn't get their comeuppance. I get that's frustrating for a lot of reviewers, but look at the current President of the United States.
In my recent re-reading of Judy Blume books, this has been my least favorite, and the one I think is the least relevant/most outdated. (For example, can you imagine the lawsuits if all the students were weighed in front of each other in the nurse's office during class?)
In my recent re-reading of Judy Blume books, this has been my least favorite, and the one I think is the least relevant/most outdated. (For example, can you imagine the lawsuits if all the students were weighed in front of each other in the nurse's office during class?)
rileyreads25's review against another edition
3.0
I think this, like all Judy Blume, is a great book. It’s not rated higher simply because it’s not my cup of tea. Please see bio for my rating guide.
amberhayward's review against another edition
4.0
This is not quite to the caliber of "Are You There God..." but it is adolescence crapiness at its most authentic. I really related to it because I wasn't constantly picked on, but I was never ever never cool and I still made fun of the really really REALLY not cool behind their backs because HEY HI I was 9 years old and so did you. The main character, Jill, is coming from that same place. I also remember that one of her friends was allowed to swear as long as it was around the house and not in church or school or whatever. I am 24 and I still don't swear around my parents because it just weirds me out.
pammoore's review against another edition
5.0
Just as good to read with my 9 year old daughter as it was the first time around when I was about her age.
mrs_bookdragon's review against another edition
5.0
Must read for my sixth grade students (and everyone). I loved the perspective that this bullying tale was told through and the message. I hurt so much for these characters and hope to be better than some of the teachers were in handling these issues at school. You have to read this.
barbarianlibarian's review against another edition
4.0
somehow i read everything BUT Judy Blume when i was a kid, so i grabbed this on audio to listen on a long drive. it was better than i expected, especially considering how long ago it was originally written. now i don't feel so out of the Judy Blume loop anymore!