Every generation has it's great writers. Judy Blume is one of them, and she has written a whole load of books over in the US that have entertained, inspired and taught kids how to try and make sense of the world. She has got in a lot of trouble for it too, as we'll find out in this fascinating list of Judy Blume book facts! So read on and find out what made her unpopular as well as popular!

For more amazingly smart facts check out these about Sherlock Holmes, Alice in Wonderland, and even Pablo Picasso! Phew! You learn something new every day, huh? Ok - back to Judy Blume!

1. She never wanted to be a writer 

Judy Blume was born on February 12, 1938, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She grew up in a middle-class Jewish family with one brother. As a kid she never wanted to be a writer, instead wanting to be a cowgirl, actor or detective. We’re glad she ended up as a writer though!

2. Early Life

Blume was exposed to some really tough events as a child. In 1951 and 1952 there were THREE plane crashes in her hometown. This is unbelievably unlucky, and Judy saw a lot of very distressing things as a child. These themes no doubt affected her writing, and she talks about them in one of her later books, In the Unlikely Event.

3. Writing Style

Blume’s writing is known for its direct, relatable, and often very funny style. She has a knack for capturing the voice of young people, making her books feel real and accessible. As a kid she loved the Wizard of Oz stories, and often pointed to the sense of adventure in the series as a big influence on her.

4. Adult stuff... Ooh errr!

Blume’s books often tackle sensitive subjects like puberty, sex, bullying, and family issues. She wants to address these topics honestly, as these things happen (they do) - and young readers deserve the truth. They can handle it!

5. She's had a very busy life

Judy Blume has been married three times and has two children. She’s open about her life - both the ups and the downs - and happily refers to some of her relationships as “mistakes” (with a smile of course). Her experiences as a mother and her own childhood memories have also had a massive effect on her writing. Let’s have a look at some of her biggest books!

6. "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."

This book, published in 1970, is one of her most famous. It deals with a young girl’s questions about religion and puberty. At the time, this was a really controversial book - that the America of the day couldn’t work out if it loved or hated!

7. Blubber!

Another well-known book, "Blubber" from 1974, addresses bullying and the complexities of school social hierarchies. It was an important influence on High School culture in the USA. It’s been praised for its honest discussion of childhood cruelty and kindness, and lots of High School movies can trace their plotlines back to this book!

8. "Forever..."

Published in 1975, "Forever..." is an honest exploration of teenage relationships. It was groundbreaking for its time, and it got Judy in a LOT of trouble. The book was banned in many places, because parents and teachers just couldn’t cope with it! More on her banned books in a moment!

9. She Made Some Enemies

Blume’s books have often been challenged and some were even banned, especially because of their frank discussions of puberty and sex. Some parents and schools felt her books were too explicit for young readers. This was a pretty dangerous time for Judy, as she made some quite scary people very angry.

10. Banning Blume

Judy Blume has had lots of books banned from schools and libraries. In total it’s been 5 books - plus another compilation that she edited. Despite all this drama, she remains a strong advocate for free speech and against censorship. Also because of the way the USA is organised, she’s never banned across the whole country - only in different states.

11. She’s an Activist Too

Blume works with organisations like the National Coalition Against Censorship. She supports other authors who face similar challenges with book banning. She has supported lots of charities and political organisations that support causes she cares for. Go Judy!

12. Political Opinions

Blume is known for her progressive views. She supports various social causes, including women's rights and LGBTQ+ rights, and she often reflects these values in her writing. Some say children’s books shouldn’t be political - but Judy’s work shows that they can and should be!

13. Judy's Legacy

Judy Blume is now in her 80s, so she’s probably done most of her writing by this point. Her books have sold over 85 million copies worldwide and have been translated into lots of languages. Her legacy has been to give generations of children and adults a different perspective on life, and create thousands of enthusiastic readers!

14. She can do adult writing too!

As well as her famous books for young people, Blume has written several novels for adults, including "Wifey" and "Summer Sisters." These books continue to explore themes of love, relationships, and personal growth - but for an older audience. Because she’s had such a long career, many of her adult readers are also her child readers, but grown up!

15. Big Awards!

Blume has received many awards throughout her career, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults. She’s also been recognized by the Library of Congress as a Living Legend! Wahoo! What an achievement! Thanks for all the books, Judy!