In 2015, Blume published what appears may be her final book. In the Unlikely Event, a novel for adults, is based on real events – three plane crashes in less than two months, very close to where Blume – then young Judy Sussman – lived. Because she remembered so little about these tragedies, it turned into a massive research project.

Deenie | Book by Judy Blume | Official Publisher Page | Simon Deenie | Book by Judy Blume | Official Publisher Page | Simon

Frank Fenner— Deenie's father. He works long hours at the family business, a gas station. Quiet for the majority of the story, he eventually takes a firm, yet fair, parental role in making sure that Deenie wears her brace as prescribed.When Deenie finds out that she has scoliosis, she’s scared. When she sees the brace for the first time, she wants to scream. 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. 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? The book wins because it's not focusing on a certain condition, but an unchangeable event that will make a kid feel even more different than they already do. It touches briefly upon (and it was amusing really) masturbation and questions about this as well. It shows how some people stand out as different due to conditions, but that everyone is still the same and to be treated well. 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 – Judy Blume on the Web Deenie – Judy Blume on the Web

Despite this issue, which I found quite difficult to overlook, Deenie does have something to offer. The description of Deenie’s diagnosis and subsequent treatment is impressively detailed. Although the bracing method used on Deenie is no longer popular, her experience still resonates.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.”

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

Deenie' sales soar". The Galveston Daily News. 10 September 1985. p.9 . Retrieved 9 May 2017– via newspapers.com. While this review appears largely negative, there is one thing I must stress. In the 1970s, when Deenie was first published, it may well have been a positive representation of the experience of a child with scoliosis. I’m not able to judge that fairly, as I hadn’t yet been born in the ‘70s, but its portrayal hasn’t held up well. Here’s hoping modern novels like next year’s Braced will give today’s teens depictions of scoliosis that will resonate better than the one in Deenie. 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?Honestly? There are few Judy Blume books I have not liked. I really was touched by this particular story though. An important topic is that of parents exhorting their children to take up professions that the parents feel that are suited for them, whether or not the children are amenable to the idea. Thelma justifies her insistence that Deenie pursue a modeling career and that Helen become a doctor or lawyer by saying that she just "wanted better" for her children.

Deenie - Wikipedia

Good Parents: Frank Fenner is much more understanding and reasonable in regards to his daughters than Thelma is. While Thelma is emotionally manipulative and reacts to situations as if she were the victim or tries to even blame Deenie and Helen, Frank is very calm and doesn't hesitate to comfort his daughters when they need him and yet also firm in that Deenie needs to wear her brace which she eventually realizes is right of him to do. I don't think there is any Judy Blume book that I don't like. She is just that good at her craft. While I did like this one it was not my favourite one when I first read it. I think it had more to do with not really relating to the character as much although I sympathized with her. After surviving a suicide attempt, a fragile teen isn't sure she can endure without cutting herself. Blume, who speaks her mind, was criticized recently after a U.K. newspaper published an interview with her with the headline: “I’m behind JK Rowling 100 per cent.” Blume clarified with a tweet that her words were taken out of context; her point was that she can empathize with a person who has been harassed online. “I stand with the trans community and vehemently disagree with anyone who does not fully support equality and acceptance for LGBTQIA+ people.”Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon and Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret Simon in Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. Dana Hawley/Lionsgate In this book, Deenie has Scoliosis which is a problem with the spine. She is told she must wear a brace and is ashamed and scared of what her friends will think of her. Did I remember Deenie's preoccupation with intercourse and how startled she is to learn that her 16-year-old sister still hasn't had sex yet? Well, friends it's hard to believe but a year has gone by and this is my last book for my personal childhood challenge re-read.