(born 1938). Generations of readers have enjoyed the books of U.S. author Judy Blume. The antics of her characters Peter Hatcher and his brother Fudge are favorites of younger children. Teenagers identify with the situations found in Deenie (1973), Forever (1975), and other novels. Popular with children all over the world, Blume's books have been translated into more than 20 languages.

Early life

Judy Sussman was born on February 12, 1938, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. (Blume was her first husband's last name.) As a child, Judy enjoyed making up stories, though she never wrote them down. For two years Judy lived in Miami with her mother and brother during school months. She later captured her experiences there in her book Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself (1977). After graduating from high school, she attended New York University and received a degree in education in 1961. Her first two published books were The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo (1969) and Iggie's House (1970).

Career

Blume became famous with the publication of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret (1970), a novel based upon Blume's own memories of growing up. Many young readers wrote letters to tell Blume that they identified with Margaret and her life. Many critics also liked how the book talked about adolescence and sensitive subjects in an honest, understandable way. However, some adults thought that the book was too direct in its discussion of those sensitive subjects and did not want it to be in libraries and available to children.

Blume continued writing for children and young adults, even though some places banned her books. For example, her book Then Again, Maybe I Won't (1971) caused controversy because it discussed the difficulties of growing up from the point of view of a boy. In 1972 Blume first introduced two of her most famous characters, Peter and his younger brother Fudge, in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. They were featured again in Superfudge (1980) and Fudge-a-Mania (1990).

Other works by Blume include Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great (1972) and Blubber (1974). Blume has said that Blubber was one of her most important books because it deals with the cruelty of children toward an overweight girl. All of Blume's books contain language, situations, and concerns that feel real to kids. Blume has also written several novels for adults.

Blume's own experiences led her to become active in speaking out against the banning of books. In addition, she donated money to the National Coalition Against Censorship from the sales of the 1999 book she edited, Places I Never Meant to Be: Original Stories by Censored Authors. Blume also established the Kids Fund, which works to encourage communication between parents and children.

Achievements

Among Blume's many honors are the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award (1983), the Carl Sandburg Freedom to Read Award (1984), and the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement (1996). She also has been recognized by the American Civil Liberties Union and in countless readers'-choice surveys.