Dear Judy Blume,
I’ve always loved reading. Driving into town to our quaint, ancient library in the downtown of the small town where I grew up is one of my fondest memories. My Mom, my sister and I would go at least once a week. We’d spend an hour perusing the shelves to find a whole stack of stories that would entertain us until the next time we’d return. Mrs. Kay, the diminutive librarian with snow white hair and the unmistakable shake of Parkinson’s was so kind, quiet and helpful. She was quick with a suggestion for a new story that I might like. I read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and I felt like a whole new world opened up. Fantasy and fun and crazy imagination flooded my mind. I loved it. Encyclopedia Brown ignited my love for mysteries. There was nothing better than trying to figure out who did it. The Babysitter’s Club was what my Mom likes to call “mind candy”; they were just books for fun. V.C. Andrews drew me into a morbid world that I didn’t even know existed, but I loved it all the same. The stories were so dark and crazy and totally out there. They provided a different kind of escape, one I hoped I’d never, ever experience myself, but loved to read about for pure entertainment.
One day your beloved Blubber fell into my hands. Maybe it was because Mrs. Kay knew I needed it, maybe she was just a fan of your work, but for whatever reason, I read it and I discovered something I never knew about books before: they could provide comfort. Up until this point in my life, I’d never been comforted by a book. I had never read a book and thought “That’s just like me!” Blubber not only made me realize that I was not alone, but it made me realize that, in a childhood filled with events that left me very alone and confused, I could head to my dependable library for comfort when I couldn’t find it anywhere else. After Blubber came It’s Not the End of the World at the perfect time in my life. I’m starting to think the librarian was in on the town gossip just like everyone else. How else would she know to direct me to your books just when I need them so? My parents were the first ones in town to get a divorce; no one could understand what I was going through. But you did. Karen spoke my language about what it feels like to be a daughter of divorce. It was so, so comforting. While reading Are you there God, it’s me, Margaret? I knew I was normal. I was perfectly weird and hormonal and 11-years-old normal. It was like a giant bear hug when I needed it most. Tiger Eyes was a difficult read because I felt so terribly for Davey about the death of her father. But I could empathize with the way she felt about school, about her mother dating “The Nerd” and her need for escape. I read Forever before I really understood all that it was about. It was certainly the first time I read about a penis and sex and it felt weird to be in on the secret. It was an eye-opener for me, but I couldn’t fully “get” it. But later on, when faced with my first real “love” and sex and all of those messy teenage notions, I remembered your words and your story of Katherine and Michael and their forever love. Your words were like the big sister I never had, providing me with advice and comfort when I needed it most.
I’m not sure if your intention when writing your novels was to provide comfort, but that’s what they were to me. These five were just my favorites; I’ve read all of your books and loved them all. I have a feeling you just wrote from your heart and that, by chance, your heart was very similar to mine. In a childhood full of uncomfortable and heartbreaking events, I could always count on my weekly trip to the library, down the B aisle, straight to Judy to help me find the comfort I so desperately needed. From the bottom of my small-town, confused, heartbroken pre-teen heart, I thank you.
Sincerely,
Tiffany
***I’m taking part in the Judy Blume Project with Dana and Kim. It’s really taken off…and amazing! Find them on Facebook to get all of the details so you can join in!***
Elastamom's Excerpts 
Amazing! Such a good point about the rarity of being truly comforted by a book. Entertained? Sure. But comforted? That doesn’t come around often enough!
Thanks, Jamie! I will always think of comfort when I think of Judy!
You are making me want to go reread all of these again!
You should! It was so fun to go back and read them…totally different perspective as a mother.
Great post!! I love what this project has become!
Isn’t it so cool, Gibby??
I can’t remember reading any of the books, I was more of a Nancy Drew fan. But after reading how JB influence so many teen girls growing up, I want to read a couple of them now. Finding out there are others like you can make adolescence bearable.
Yes! That’s what is SO great about her books…especially for such an awkward time.
That librarian was such a gift. I loved, loved, loved every word of this post. It was so heartfelt and wide-open true. Thank you Tiff, for sharing this.
You always make me feel so loved, Kitch!xoxo
I have officially purchased Hello God it is Me Margaret this past weekend. I am ready to re-read what was my favorite pre-teen book from a pre-menopausal perspective.
Thanks Tiffany for sharing.
Velva
It is such a different perspective to read as a grown-up…I think I loved it even more! Thanks for the visit!
What a nice reminder. I might have to grab a few of these to read myself. I read ALL of her books as a kid. Forget sneaking “Forever” (even though I DID read that one behind my mother’s back). I pulled out the big guns and somehow got my hands on a copy of “Wifey” which was NOT a kids book. I am kinda ashamed to say that I read that on the down low when I was in 8th or 9th grade. Eeek. I would love to see how my perspective has changed on the ones you mention here.
Oooh….I don’t think I ever read Wifey! I may have to go get it now. 🙂 Have a gre
Ha ha! Me, too, Joy! In 8th grade….
Found your through Dana’s blog – I too was a huge fan of Judy Blume. Although I couldn’t have said it as good as you did! Thanks for sharing!
You are so sweet, Biz319! It was so fun to go back and read them all.
awesome! this is such a fun project. although I have to say that Blubber is the one JB book I never liked – I didn’t feel like the girls REALLY learned their lesson. I wanted whatshername to have a happier ending, and I wanted the mean girls to “get it” more.
now I feel like I need to go read it again to see if I still feel the same way or if I’m remembering it wrong! 🙂
No, you’re remembering it right. I hated those girls while reading it as a mother…even more so than when I was a kid!
I love when the right people come into our life and point us in the direction that we need. What a great way to really solidify your love of reading.
Our bookshelves were full of Judy Blume when our kids were growing up. I wonder if the grandkids read them.
I will do my best to carry
Even though we grew up states apart, I feel like maybe, just maybe, we went to the same library. 🙂
I think maybe we did!! xoxoHave a gre
We had the same reading history!! Crazy.
Judy is a part of our history, no? She’s amazing. Have a great day!!Tiffanywww.elastamom.com
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