I loved Judy Blume books when I was a teenager. I was one of those kids who looked forward to the days that my Mom would take me to the library. I would check out as many books as I could carry and Judy Blume books were often in the stack! I always wondered if my mom had any idea about the content of these books. Therefore I had to chuckle when I saw that Wikipedia mentions that Blume’s books often contain content that is “the source of controversy regarding age-appropriate reading”.
Until my friend Stephanie chose In the Unlikely Event for book club, I didn’t even realize that Judy Blume wrote adult novels. In fact, she has several, including Wifey (1978), Smart Women (1983) andSummer Sisters (1998). I may have to add these to my “to read” shelf.
Meanwhile I thoroughly enjoyed In The Unlikely Event. Blume intertwines a wonderful teenage love story with broken family dynamics set in Elizabeth, New Jersey during the 1950s. She uses a back drop of 3 aviation disasters that actually took place in this small town just off the flight path of Newark’s airport. Learning the history of these events while reading a great Judy Blume tale was a fabulous reading experience. I liked this book so much that upon finishing, I immediately mailed a copy to my Aunt who is from New Jersey and is a retired TWA Flight Attendant who served passengers for over 30 years. I can’t wait to discuss it with Aunt Tommie this weekend.
Judy will be in Dunwoody on Nov 7th at the JCC Book Festival to sign your books. http://www.atlantajcc.org/pldb-live/judy-blume-i-in-the-unlikely-event-i-br-29924/
And if you want a preview of her visit, here is a wonderful interview done recently where she discusses her man “banned” books.
http://www.upworthy.com/judy-blume-tells-it-like-it-is-when-it-comes-to-books-and-censorship
My book club is going to see her on the 7th!! Thanks for the interview link….I’m about to watch it now!
I really enjoyed this book, as I have enjoyed all of her children’s books. I, too, look forward to seeing her a the MJCCA Book Festival.