Comments on: Are You There Judy? It’s Me, Melissa

By: Ms. Yingling

Ms. Yingling — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 11:02:23 +0000

I was certainly a big Blume fan back in the 1970s, but her books are NOT resonating with my students. This makes me very sad! I tried all day yesterday to get someone to check out AYTGIMM on the strength of the upcoming movie, with no luck at all. I had to weed Deenie because the portrayal of scoliosis was just not good. (I wore a brace back in middle school.) So yes, Blume’s work was great and changed MGLit, but I’m not sure how well it holds up with middle grade readers today. Great post, thought. Welcome to MUF!

By: Liz Carey

Liz Carey — Mon, 21 May 2018 00:36:58 +0000

Great piece, Melissa! I cried when I saw Judy Blume at an event recently. So dorky, but I couldn’t help it: I was so awed by her. If it makes you feel any better, I saw Jacqueline Woodson on Lexington Ave last spring, just standing there, killing time, and I was doing the same with a friend. I did the exact same as you and said NOTHING– every possible overture sounded either trite or creepy under those circumstances, so I let the moment pass…and still regret it!

By: Patricia Bailey

Patricia Bailey — Sun, 20 May 2018 06:08:26 +0000

Love this!! I remember each book with such clarity. Ever single one was the exact right book at the exact right time. (Part of Judy Blume’s genius). My favorite was Tiger Eyes, and years ago I managed to get a signed copy of it. I wouldn’t have been able to talk to her at the doctor’s either, but there’s a decent chance I’d be camping out there hoping for another sighting. 🙂

By: Melissa Roske

Melissa Roske — Sat, 19 May 2018 14:16:20 +0000

Thanks for commenting, guys. And thank you for the warm welcome!

By: Mindy Alyse Weiss

Mindy Alyse Weiss — Fri, 18 May 2018 20:21:38 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Melissa. I don’t know if I’d be a writer if it wasn’t for Judy Blume.

Wow, I can’t believe you didn’t say anything to her. Such restraint! I normally don’t get tongue tied around authors I admire, but Judy has made such an impact on my life, I’m not sure what I’d say to her.

By: Heather Murphy Capps

Heather Murphy Capps — Fri, 18 May 2018 16:34:10 +0000

Me too!!!!! Absolute Blume fangirl over here and my copy of MARGARET has the same cover, so we were clearly reading the book in the same era. Great first post, and welcome to MUF!!