Deenie

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The writing is as good as always, but, as far as Judy Blume books go, the connection to the characters seemed off, and the topic felt somewhat contrived. Midge Otonis— Another of Deenie's best friends. Physically larger than most of the other seventh grade students, she is self-conscious about her size and the fact that most boys ignore her because of it. Case in point: did I remember, from my first read, about Deenie's “special place” on her body, and how she loves to rub it and rub it, until she gets that good feeling? Another one of everyone's childhood favorite, that I read too late in life, and thus failed to get on board the rave train with everyone else. I probably need a middle-grader to explain all the hype, or just stop reading any more books aimed at this age group.

DEENIE | Kirkus Reviews

In the novel, Margaret Simon, child of an interfaith but non-practising couple – Jewish father, Christian mother – develops a relationship with God. “ Are you there God? It’s me, Margaret,” the book begins. “ We’re moving today. I’m so scared God.” Like most adolescents, Deenie has questions related to sex and sexuality. Mrs. Rappoport has a box where the girls put their questions. How is her willingness to be honest and open help the girls realize that their curiosity is normal? Later Deenie asks Helen what sexual intercourse feels like. Why does she think Helen will know? How is she surprised by Helen’s answer? In the final chapter, Deenie takes off her brace and puts on an old favorite outfit in anticipation of attending a party at her friend Janet's house. She asks her father, Frank, for permission to not wear her brace to the party. Though Thelma gives her consent, Frank, who, until then, was rather mute about everything, firmly refuses, rightfully pointing out that Deenie would want to not wear the brace for every special occasion thereafter, if he gave in that night. In defiance, Deenie brings her old outfit to Janet's house, intending to remove the brace and change clothes once there, but she changes her mind; she leaves her brace on and her old clothes in Janet's room, where they stay for the duration of the party. Deenie was always told that she was beautiful and destined to be a model. However, everything changed when her PE teacher noticed that her walk was off, and her skirt was lower on one side.Traumatic Haircut: Deenie gives herself one out of intense self-loathing upon first getting her brace, leaving literally only a few uneven strands, and refuses to let anyone else touch or fix it. The girl in Deenie's class who idolizes Deenie and copies her at every turn gets her own hair cut in the exact same way, much to Deenie's chagrin.

Deenie by Judy Blume | Goodreads Deenie by Judy Blume | Goodreads

Never My Fault: Thelma thinks she knows what's best in regards to her daughters (i.e. what she wants them to be) and will point fingers at everyone else when things don't go her way, from her husband to her daughters themselves. When Deenie gets diagnosed with scoliosis and Helen has a crush on the young man working at her father's garage, she goes hysterical and wails that all she wanted was the best for her daughters. This is the craziest, scariest time. It makes the eighties look like nothing compared to what’s going on now, because it’s coming from the government, it’s coming from legislators,” Blume says. “We live in a state with a governor who is just making everything really dreadful,” she says, when asked what she might say to the people in power. “I have a lot to say about this governor. I don’t know that saying it to him would make any difference at all.” She adds that it’s not just Ron DeSantis, but a wider U.S. problem. “Elected officials who are drunk with power and using their power in an evil way.” But now that I've reread it, I can say that this review is a solid reminder of WHY it's a good idea to rate/review a book while it is still fresh in one's mind. When I arrived, breathless, late on a Sunday after that long scenic drive, I learned the dreadful news: Blume regularly works at the bookstore on Sundays and yes, she had been in that day. I had missed her. I would never have ambushed her for an interview, but it would have been great to just say hello. When I finally got to interview her – a month later, over Zoom – and told her a (very condensed) version of this story – she seemed genuinely dismayed. “Oh I’m so sorry!” she said. “Did I know you were coming?” These, along with a discussion about menstruation and masturbation [p.79-82] led by a gym teacher, are the core of the objections to the novel. [2] The book is otherwise usually described as insightful and accurate in portraying a young girl dealing with her diagnosis of scoliosis, as well as coming of age.Judy is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980's she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers.

Judy Blume’s time has come. Again - The Globe and Mail Judy Blume’s time has come. Again - The Globe and Mail

Helen Fenner— Deenie's older sister. Thelma exhorts her to keep up her grades, to the exclusion of all non-academic pursuits, in the hopes that she will eventually become a doctor or lawyer. Yes, I’m going to count the books I read with my daughter in my GR Challenge. They’re books, aren’t they? And you think I’m not learning anything, I’m not experiencing anything profound from a YA master about the lives of preteens? Huh. If anything, I’m being taken out of that comfort zone, learning a new culture. Even better, I get to share it with my daughter, reading it out loud while she squeezes play-slime in her hands. That’s a reading experience for you. This grittily provocative debut explores the horrors of self-harm and the healing power of artistic expression. Janet Kayser— One of Deenie's best friends. She is selected for the cheerleading squad instead of Deenie. Eileen Rappoport— Deenie's gym teacher. She notices something strange about Deenie's posture, and her phone call to the Fenner home regarding this leads to Deenie eventually being diagnosed with scoliosis.Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year the American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Other recognitions include the Library of Congress Living Legends Award and the 2004 National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. Abusive Parents: Thelma is controlling and goes into downright bullying and victim blaming toward her daughters if they dare to try and go outside of what she wants for them (for Deenie to be a model and Helen to focus only on her studies). When Deenie's scoliosis is revealed and Helen is revealed to be attracted to their father's employee, Thelma blames Deenie for her condition and gets Joe fired because she's angry that they're "ruining" what she has planned for them. And in the end, she hasn't changed her mind at all (which is par for the course in most Blume novels). The brace looks like the one Dr. Kliner showed us three weeks earlier. It's the ugliest thing I ever saw.

Judy Blume Forever review – inspiring portrait of a fearless Judy Blume Forever review – inspiring portrait of a fearless

An unmistakable coming of age story by the all-time best-selling children’s author, Judy Blume. Since the 1970’s, Judy Blume has been exploring controversial subjects such as; personal development, teenage sexuality and religion. Proving the spirit of adolescence hasn’t changed in over 30 years, bravely giving answers to some of their greatest questions. Deenie sees Dr. Moravia and then several specialists. Each one asks her parents to wait outside while they examine Deenie. What might have happened if her mother had been allowed in the room? Debate why it’s important for adolescents to communicate with their doctor without a parent present. Guide written by Pat Scales, a retired middle and high school librarian who is currently a children’s and young adult literature consultant and specializes in curriculum and free speech issues.Barbara Curtis— A new friend of Deenie's; she suffers from eczema, which causes nearly everyone else to ostracize her. Deenie herself had not wanted to associate with Barbara initially, but having to be Barbara's partner in gym class allows Deenie to get to know her better. Not as dramatic as Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, but still a sweet and easy read. Good to share with your preteen. And sometimes I caught her reading on her own, forcing me to catch up with her at night. She gave it 3.7 stars, me, a little less. Daddy's Girl: Deenie's far closer to her father than with her mother, mostly because he doesn't police her diet and posture and gives her breathing room to be a kid. The only time he puts his foot down with her is when he insists that she wears the Milwaukee brace to Janet's party. Although Deenie is initially upset, she later comes to admit that he's right. Deenie Fenner— The main character. Thelma's plans for Deenie to become a model are in jeopardy when Deenie is diagnosed with scoliosis. Describe Mrs. Rappoport, the seventh-grade girls’ gym teacher, from Deenie’s point of view. When does Mrs. Rappoport first notice something unusual with Deenie’s spine? Discuss why Deenie is interested in knowing whether this issue kept her off the finalist list for cheerleader. Deenie’s dad answers the telephone when Mrs. Rappoport calls to suggest that Deenie see a doctor. Why is her dad the best person to take this call?