Talking with Judy Blume by Judy Freeman
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Talking With Judy Blume By Judy Freeman he believable voices of Judy Contribution to American Letters (in to be cyclical. (Or maybe it’s publish- Blume’s characters—such as 2004, Blume became the first chil- ing that tends to be cyclical.) In the T the troublemaking Fudge from dren’s author to receive this honor). 1970s series books were out. Fantasy Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Read on to discover what else this was out. Rhyming picture books were freckle-less Andrew from Freckle well-loved writer has to say! out. Kids need choices. There are Juice—have charmed readers since always some who want to read about Blume published her first book, Why do you think that, after 35 real life. I write for those readers. The One in the Middle Is the Green years, your books are so popular? Kangaroo, in 1969. In fact, Blume’s JUDY BLUME: I’ve no idea. I’d guess What children’s writers have first fans are all grown up and sharing it’s that young readers continue to influenced you? her stories with a new generation. identify with my characters. Some JB: When I began to write I’d go to In Instructor’s recent reader survey, things never change. the public library and carry home teachers named her one of their top armloads of books. I laughed so hard 10 favorite children’s authors. Are kids’ interests today different I fell off the sofa reading Beverly That’s why we wanted to talk to from those of kids in the 1970s? Cleary. I thought, I’d like to write Blume about what she thinks moti- JB: Children’s reading interests tend books like these. Never boring, never P H vates kids to read. We also found sentimental. Fresh and funny. What O T O S time to discuss censorship (some could be better? I was also inspired by O F J have found Blume’s books objection- Louise Fitzhugh’s Harriet the Spy and U D Y B able for their frankness), her E.L. Konigsberg’s Jennifer, Hecate, L U M own favorite authors (Beverly Cleary, William MacKinley, and Me, Elizabeth. E : C I N for one), and the National Book I continue to be inspired by fresh D Y K A Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished voices with original stories to tell. R P SCHOLASTIC INSTRUCTOR I 37 touch with a teacher who read my What issues need to be tackled Fudge books aloud to her class at the in children’s literature? Is there end of every day. He remembers the anything too sensitive for today’s voice she invented for Fudge. students or classroom? Teachers who take the time to read JB: I don’t think of writing in terms aloud can introduce kids to the fun of issues. I begin with a character, of reading. I remember one teacher sometimes with a character and a who read Animal Farm aloud to us in situation. But I don’t think today’s sixth grade. A good reader can make children are less able to deal with anything come alive for students. hard topics than they were 30 years ago. The difference is in the political You’ve said you remember every- climate, which has changed drastical- thing from childhood. What was ly. We’ve become a fearful society. an experience that shaped you? JB: Death. By the time I was 10 I’d How does it affect you when I laughed so hard seen my father lose a sister, two your books come under fire? brothers, and his mother. We were JB: I felt alone and frightened when always “sitting shivah.” I thought it my books first came under attack. I I fell off the sofa was up to me to protect my father, felt angry. But for many years now and I invented fancy rituals to keep I’ve felt sad—sad for the kids— reading Beverly him safe. I never told anyone about because banning a book sends such this. It was a heavy burden for a a negative message. It says to them, Cleary. I thought, child. When I began to write I was “There’s something in this book we I’d like to write sure that I wouldn’t have much time. don’t want you to know about, some- c thing we don’t want to discuss with books like these.” Kids always ask for more Fudge. you.” Today, I work with a network Any chances of a new book? of professionals who believe that What other authors or books do JB: Right now I have no plans to readers of all ages are entitled to you recommend? write another Fudge book. Fudge- intellectual freedom. JUDY BLUME: I found Ned Vizzini’s a-mania was supposed to be the last Be More Chill hilarious—it’s written book about Fudge and his family. But How do you assess the current with such energy and originality! my grandson Elliot inspired—and book-banning climate? And there’s a new book out by Gigi begged—me to write Double Fudge. JB: It’s not getting any better. My Amateau called Claiming Georgia I’m thinking a series based on The guess is we’ll see more challenges to Tate that grabbed me from page one. Pain and the Great One. I feel ready books in the coming years. Teachers I also thought The Curious Incident of to revisit those characters. and writers who care about censor- the Dog in the Night-Time by Marc ship must speak out. If you’re facing a Haddon was fabulous. I gave it to my What do you think of turning ban, contact the National Council of 13-year-old grandson, who couldn’t kids’ books into big movies? Teachers of English (www.ncte.org) put it down. I like to recommend JB: I love good books and I love good or the National Coalition Against younger writers, such as Carolyn movies. But they’re different experi- Censorship (www.ncac.org). Mackler, Wendy Mass, Rachel Vail, ences. I hope that if kids see a movie Jacqueline Woodson, and David they like, they’ll read the book. What advice can you give to Klass. I know I’m leaving off other young writers? writers I admire! Is there a book of yours you’d JB: I’m not big on advice. I don’t like to see on the big screen? understand the creative process, and How can we turn more reluctant JB: I’ve been very protective of my I’m not sure I want to. I would say readers on to books? work. My TV experiences haven’t only: Write from inside. Let it come JB: I can’t tell you how many letters been the best. But sure, I’d like to see out spontaneously, without fear. I I get from children—as well as honest, interesting adaptations of my adults—who talk about their teachers books on the big screen. Right now For more on Judy Blume, go to www.judyblume.com. reading aloud to them. A 34-year-old we’re working on an adaptation of Judy Freeman (www.judyreadsbooks.com) is a children’s literature consultant and author of Books man just wrote to say he’s still in Deenie with Disney. Kids Will Sit Still For 3 (Libraries Unlimited, 2005). 38 I MAY/JUNE 2005.