The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us

by Rachelle Bergstein

An intimate and expansive look at Judy Blume’s life, work, and cultural impact, focusing on her most iconic—and controversial—young adult novels, from Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret to Blubber .

Everyone knows Judy Blume.

Her books have garnered her fans of all ages for decades and sold tens of millions of copies. But why were people so drawn to them? And why are we still talking about them now in the 21st century?

In The Genius of Judy , her remarkable story is revealed as never before, beginning with her as a mother of two searching for purpose outside of her home in 1960s suburban New Jersey. The books she wrote starred regular children with genuine thoughts and problems. But behind those deceptively simple tales, Blume explored the pillars of the growing women’s rights movement, in which girls and women were entitled to careers, bodily autonomy, fulfilling relationships, and even sexual pleasure. Blume wasn’t trying to be a revolutionary—she just wanted to tell honest stories—but in doing so, she created a cohesive, culture-altering vision of modern adolescence.

Blume’s bravery provoked backlash, making her the country’s most-banned author in the mid-1980s. Thankfully, her works withstood those culture wars and it’s no coincidence that Blume has resurfaced as a cultural touchstone now. Young girls are still cat-called, sex education curricula are getting dismissed as pornography, and entire shelves of libraries are being banned. As we face these challenges, it’s only natural we look to Blume, the grand dame of so-called dirty books. This is the story of how a housewife became a groundbreaking artist, and how generations of empowered fans are her legacy, today more than ever.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Audiobook, Books About Books, Feminism, History, Biography Memoir

288 pages, Hardcover

First published July 16, 2024

About the author

Obsessed with writers. Ratings reflect enjoyment.

Reviews

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the genius of Judy Blume. It’s the single most important aspect of her legacy. Her work as a children’s writer did something nobody else could manage: it helped ensure feminism’s longevity…A movement requires a multigenerational buy-in to maintain its momentum. And over in suburban New Jersey, a soft-spoken stay-at-home mom was listening. Writing cutting-edge books for kids, Judy Blume became the Second Wave’s secret weapon.

There are several biographies of Judy Blume out there — most written thirty or more years ago — and author Rachelle Bergstein quotes from all of them. But what makes The Genius of Judy a special read is the way that Bergstein, with the benefit of looking back across the intervening decades and their shifting social and political climates, is able to give us the context in which Blume filled her literary niche and was able to positively influence countless young readers. From S. E. Hinton’s The Outsiders paving the way for more realistic young adult fiction to Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying giving voice to the modern woman’s existential malaise, Bergstein sets Blume in her cultural moment, explaining what a necessary force her books were for allowing girls to understand and take control of their own bodies. That’s no small thing; it’s everything, and it’s somehow under threat again today. The Genius of Judy traces Blume’s releases — sharing the stories of their inspiration, their plotlines, and reception — while also giving us the story of Blume’s life throughout the years; from unfulfilled suburban housewife to free speech activist. As a Gen X woman, Blume’s novels were hugely influential in forming my own outlook, and I have to admit, I took her for granted: I never once considered that for me to read these books, someone out there had to be thinking deeply on what was needed and taking risks to get them published. I truly appreciate the context that Bergstein supplies here and that I had the opportunity to revisit, and better understand, these formative reads from my youth. (Note: I read an ARC through NetGalley and passages quoted may not be in their final forms.)

Are You There God?, Deenie, and Forever form a triptych, with eleven-year-old Margaret, thirteen-year-old Deenie, and seventeen-year-old Katherine creating a progressive portrait of the new American girl. All three are smart, spunky, and in touch with their bodies. They’re all white, middle class, and from the suburbs — Judy wrote what she knew — but together, they embody an ideal for Blume that transcended race or class. The trio offers a vision of how the up-and-coming generation could digest the feminist and sexual revolutions. They’re good girls with a twist; they’re all in touch with sexuality, but they have futures.

Those three novels were hugely influential to me as a girl in the late 70s, and mostly because I read each of them, years apart, at the exact right time — I needed the information and was ready to absorb it — and I remember that something about reading them felt transgressive; as though I was uncovering secret information about my body (how shameful!) that had been actively hidden from me. But I wasn’t reading Judy Blume anymore in the 80s (I never have picked up her adult novels; I think I want to preserve my memories of Blume in an unexamined amber of nostalgia) and I was oblivious to the periodic, and ongoing, bans that her novels have been subject to since then. Bergstein tells a fascinating story of those who have attempted to remove novels from schools and public libraries — from the Reagan era Moral Majority to Florida governor Ron DeSantis — and Blume’s efforts, in conjunction with the National Coalition Against Censorship, to keep not only her own novels but other often often-banned books (Slaughterhouse-Five, Catcher in the Rye, etc.) available to those who want them. Whether or not you’ve been reading Judy Blume, she’s been fighting behind the scenes to promote feminism and fight censorship.

In the end, Bergstein acknowledges that Blume’s books have fallen out of fashion — even the 2023 theatrical release of an adaptation of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is a nostalgic blast from the past — and she laments that despite the YA book market exploding with lots of frank and explicit material (Forever, which shook teenaged me, is so sweet in retrospect), there’s something essential in Blume’s novels that is missing in today's cultural landscape:

What’s still missing from a lot of contemporary sex ed is an exploration of the way sex intersects with relationships, experts say. Even today, very few parents and educators are prepared to discuss the way dynamics of care and safety and vulnerability all contribute to true intimacy, which is crucial for a satisfying love life. That’s what Judy innately understood how to do. She taught us about our bodies and our hearts through her stories. Periods are something that happens to a whole friend group. First teenage love affects the entire family. Boys experience heartbreak, too! Truly safe intercourse requires talking and planning. You can’t go back to holding hands.

I’m so glad I read this book: I am delighted to have both learned so much more about Judy Blume’s true legacy and to have had this journey back to my own younger self; in so many ways, Judy Blume set key stones in the foundation of who I am and I hope that the young readers of today find their way to similarly good, foundational material.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strangely flat. I didn’t really feel like the content matched the title or subtitle. It was largely rehash of Blume’s books and plot lines and some quotes from by Judy Blume that appeared in articles and appearances.

It doesn’t seem like the author had ever spoken or met her subject so some of the conclusions and thoughts about Blume’s personal and professional life seemed speculative at best.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judy Blume was one of many authors I loved as a kid, so I was excited to get a copy of this book. I liked that it didn’t only discuss Judy Blume’s books it talked about what was happening in the world and the author’s life which was really cool. This book felt a little more dry and academic at times than I was expecting, but overall I did enjoy it. I haven’t read everything by Judy Blume and I didn’t realize just how controversial her books were. I didn’t know how sexualized they were, but I’m not against teens and preteens getting an understanding of their bodies and knowing what masturbation is. I suppose it helps that while I think parents have the right to monitor what their kids do no one has the right to decide what everyone shouldn’t read. This book brought back a lot of memories for me and has me nostalgic for the worlds I entered a very long time ago.

[Amina · Rating 3 out of 5]

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“Judy has written as she has lived: wholeheartedly. Chasing, embracing, pinning down experience —and gathering it up again, so very full.”

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Does it say something that if someone were to hand me Judy Blumes' series on the Hatcher family, I would still know certain scenes verbatim? Those memorable moments and humorous dialogue are forever etched into my heart for how fun they were. That truly is a testament to the legacy that is Judy Blume's contribution to children's literature. So, while I may not have ever read the very books that made here such a household name for young girls, to me The Genius of Judy, was how she was brave and willing to address topics and issues that not many books for children were willing to bring to light during her illustrious career.

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It's very difficult to try and not make this review a critical analysis of Blume's works; which to be honest, the author of said book pretty much did by providing a brief book report on each distinctive piece of literature that had Blume challenging the innocence of books. I don't think it's so much the time that was radical, but the audience that wanted to read. Books for girls that discussed girls' personal issues - the bedroom parental talk that most people were not ready yet to bring out into the open.

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ She was a strong advocate for empowering women with the knowledge to attract and embrace the world head-on with confidence, portraying the strong ideal woman who was kind and intelligent, 'sharpened by her experiences. She’s open to love, but responsible with her heart and her body.' And to address that, she definitely had to break away from simply targeting the younger readers, which imo, was where the root of her problem with censorship really began.

“Her characters and stories were more than just entertainment. They were a roadmap of open communication, bodily autonomy, and even sexual fulfillment.”

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Take, for example, 'Forever'... Call me old-fashioned, but I honestly do not think it was, nor still is, a book suitable for kids younger than thirteen, because the characters themselves were in their late teens. In retrospect, Judy also paved the way for creating a distinction between the demographic of suitable age-appropriate reads; one that made it okay for such a book to be available on bookshelves, for nowadays, we have such a wide range of distinguishing which book falls under which category. Heck, it sparks an argument simply when it fails to be labeled as the appropriate one.

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It's the same as thinking of what a children's book would be like targeted for young boys which were more focused on school and play. Serious talks about puberty or bullying may have been rare at the time for children's books, but I think that nowadays with the knowledge, thanks to the internet, available at one's fingertips, such issues don't warrant much credit in books.

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I did find myself arguing with - not the author - but rather the editorial staff of Blume, as well as the market in which her books were being featured, a point I disagreed on. Thirteen-year-old Deenie cannot compare for eight-year-old Romana or even Pippie Longstocking, who were perhaps ten or eleven max. The premise of their fictional stories was entirely different from that of what Judy was hoping to address. And therein, I believe is the root of her problem, which sadly never was brought to light. I was not a part of the early 70's book scene, but what I gathered was that Blume's books were for a more adult audience - the young adult one. And I kept getting this impression that there was maybe no real distinction for that divide, rather it was simply kids books to suddenly college work.

“... reading about our differences—whether they’re cultural, racial, or involving sexual orientation—actually builds empathy by reminding us that we all share the same human experiences.”

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ It is indeed true that Judy and her ideas were ground-breaking and expressive and real with how candid they were; and that made them controversial, as well. Controversial, with her radical willingness to be as honest as possible in her characters' depictions - boys experience heartbreak, too! To me, Judy was not just a risk-taker, she did not want to sugarcoat circumstances that to tweens and teens alike were important. Her brave and truthful words portrayed hormonal urges as normal. She did not shy away from saying it was okay to feel this way; it's something quite admirable to find an author who was not afraid to speak her mind as truthfully as possible.

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ And as someone who still reads middle grade books even now, I have to say that there is still a certain lack of that depiction; which is rather sad. Maybe I'm not reading the right books; but with how much contemporary middle grade books seem to focus on the difficulties that arise after perhaps a parents' death or a divorce, it is odd that these normal issues never seem to arise as even a minute topic. So, I guess, in a way we still do have a while to go before such topics can be normalized as healthy, rather than stigmatized as they were during her prime.

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The lack of photos of Judy with her books was a travesty; I know that was not the aim of the book, itself, but I think it would have brought a more sense of closure to how she was not just a hack-of-the-mill author. She was committed and dedicated to writing stories that were not written with the intent of deliberately hitting a nerve, but rather to portray real-life issues that kids understood and related to.

“And shouldn’t we all be making the most of our short time on earth, delighting in these amazing and awkward physical forms?”

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I may not have read the majority of books that sparked criticism for Blume's heavy-hitting fiction, but I would have preferred less emphasis on the plot analysis of her notable works and the literary break-down of a specific or significant scene, bogged down a few well-researched facts that were expounded upon by a specific quote. I do know that was the purpose of the narrative, but I did not need to be impressed by the author's mastery of her understanding of Blume's themes.

​ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ For what it's worth, though, I am forever grateful that she created a set of characters that even now are very dear to my heart. Much like the author wrote how when you mention her name to a Gen Z or millennial, they can't help but smile fondly and reminiscence, there will never not come a moment where I don't chuckle when I recall Peter Hatcher wondering how he was lucky enough to get away with a normal name like Peter, when his younger siblings ended up with names like Fudge and Tootsie. Maybe his parents secretly wanted to open a candy store - his thoughts, not mine. :)

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you grew up in the 70’s like I did, you knew who Judy Blume was at a young age. Her books for younger readers were easily obtained through school book orders, bringing waves of joy as teachers dug into the boxes and distributed the purchased items. Her other books were available in libraries, or at long-defunct stores like Walden’s or B.Dalton.
Then, as the author of “The Genius of Judy” points out, things began to change in the ‘80’s. Blume’s novels were attacked and denounced as, “pornographic”, “too sexually explicit”, “dangerous for children to read”. Many of the books were challenged and removed from school libraries, and those actions are still occurring today. Ironically, the controversies and book-bannings have made Blume’s books even more interesting and attractive, so they are still being checked out, bought, and read, and enjoyed by new generations of readers.
This was a well-written non-fiction book, about one of the most beloved and most controversial writers of all time.

Memorable Quote:
“Parents have a right to control what their own children read, but cannot unilaterally make those decisions for other families”. (Judy Blume’s go-to line on censorship ).
* I received a digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.*

[Sierra · Rating 4 out of 5]

welp i thought judy blume was junie b. jones when i first checked this book out of the library

[Marissa Corona · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love Judy Blume, she is an icon, a trailblazer. Interesting snippets, but this book read like a literary thesis summarizing the details for her work for someone who never read the books. Its profile on Blume felt so distant, like a research paper on a historical figure vs a modern and alive woman. I wanted more from it.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a free copy of, The Genius of Judy, by Rachelle Bergstein, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I have loved Judy Blume book since I was a kid. This book tells us about Judy, who she was as a person, wife, mother, and author. I learned a lot about Judy Blume from this book.

[Sonja · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part biography, part social commentary, this book co-relates what was happening in Judy Blume's life when she wrote her books and what was happening in the world at that time, affecting the reception of these books. She was a pioneer for openness about sexuality, puberty, divorce, etc in her books aimed at children, pre-teens, teens and later, adults.

Fans of Judy Blooms books who are curious to learn the author's background and inspirations will enjoy this book. It may be less enjoyable for someone unfamiliar with her work, although things are clearly explained, no assumptions made. I was a huge reader of Judy Blume and Norma Klein books, so this book was so interesting and informative for me.

In 7th grade, Forever was being sneakily passed around from one person to the next, reading it in one day so the next person in line wouldn't have to wait long for it. It was amazing to know I share memories of this with other people.

Academic at times, I felt like I needed to memorize some facts for the upcoming big test. Not massively light hearted, this book tackled some very serious topics which are still around today, from persecution from religious groups, or parents who want to ban libraries from being able to lend out such books, to criticism from the publishing community.

Thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book. Definitely for fans of Judy Bloom. She is one of my childhood influences for my love of reading.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The parts about Judy Blume books was great. It sprinkled to much political views into all parts of the book for me. I know it's part of the world we live in but I don't think the title let on it would be that way or I would not have read it.

[Jenny · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up after two chapters. I want to learn about Judy Blume and not the author's political opinions.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published July 16, 2024.

An examination of the life and work of Judy Blume, the iconic writer of young adult fiction including ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT’S ME, MARGARET, TALES OF A FOURH GRADE NOTHING, BLUBBER and FOREVER. Her books featured ordinary children facing regular, universal issues, and she made those problems seem surmountable…..which, naturally, led to her being one of the most banned authors of the 1980s and 1990s. Blume is now 85 years old.

The book is part biography (but not exhaustive) and part deep dive on just her “problem” books for young adults, so special attention is paid to select titles. Her critics get a lot of coverage here as do all forms of censorship, including other books and authors that were frequently banned during the time that her books were at the forefront of children’s literature. Judy Blume’s books were such an important part of my life; I read my copies to tatters, and I’m proud to have a signed edition of AYTGIMM. I loved reading this book about my favorites among her books, but if you are looking for the absolute seminal Judy Blume biography, that is not what this book is, or is intended to be. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Tamara York · Rating 3 out of 5]

A comprehensive look at Judy Blume's body of work and how it revolutionized children's books. She was the first to really write about the nuts and bolts of puberty and coming of age in a very real way. This book also dives into the controversy and book banning surrounding her books, and others that conservatives deem unfit. This book gave me even more appreciation for Blume's books and the need to stand against book banning and censorship.

[BeeCee Oh · Rating 1 out of 5]

So many political views added to this book.. Not really anything of interest in here that is new. More of a review of Judy’s titles and a few quotes. Huge Judy fan and this is flat.

This is a personally purchased book review NOT a freebie I received for a good review.

[Keely · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this retrospective on Judy Blume's life and literary career, Rachelle Bergstein considers what Blume meant to a generation of pre-internet readers who needed help understanding all the changes and challenges that come with growing up. Bergstein also examines how frequently Blume's books were banned and connects her legacy of frank and open writing for young audiences to schools' and libraries' current struggles against a new wave of book bans.

After listening to a library author talk with Rachelle Bergstein, I was excited to read The Genius of Judy, and I'm so glad I did. It filled me in on the aspects of Judy Blume that I missed out on as a kid and gave me a deeper appreciation of what she was able to accomplish with her books. I happened to read The Genius of Judy shortly after finishing a book about the women's liberation movement of the 1960s and '70s, and it was interesting to consider Blume's literary output in the context of what was happening around her culturally as she wrote novels like Are You There God..., Deenie, and Forever. Blume's stories channeled and reflected all of that change--and delivered it in a way kids and teens could process and relate to.

I'm that rare Gen-X girl who mainly read Blume's books for younger kids--Freckle Juice, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, and Super Fudge. Those were great, of course, but The Genius of Judy made me wish I'd been more curious when I saw junior-high classmates carrying around copies of Forever and Tiger Eyes. I could read them now, I suppose, but I don't think they'd hit quite the same for me in my fifties. I missed out!

[Fay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Atria Books for my #gifted copy of The Genius of Judy! #AtriaPartner

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐲: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐲 𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐟 𝐔𝐬
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐑𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐢𝐧
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟏𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

When someone asks me about my favorite books growing up, some of the first ones that come to mind are books by Judy Blume. I loved going to the library and picking out Judy Blume books. Her books were fun when I was young, and as I grew older, I feel like they taught me something. Now, as an adult, I know how controversial her books were, and still are, making her the most-banned author in the mid-1980s. I found this book to be an interesting look at both the life of Judy Blume and a closer look at book censorship. I loved learning about her bravery amidst all the backlash. If you are a fan of Judy Blume, I think you will enjoy this book. The author did an excellent job honoring a well-loved author who paved the way for so many others.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Judy Blume's novels had a huge impact on me growing up in the 70s and 80s. Through her writing, I realized that I wasn't alone, that others experienced many of the same thoughts and feelings. As a child of depression babies who married in 1950, we "didn't talk about those things", so seeing them written about in books was educational...and a bit thrilling! She was so important to so many of us girls (and boys!) growing up during that time. (side note: I still have ALL of my original Judy Blume books from my childhood!)

"Judy Blume understood that. She got it, instinctively, and was able to authentically challenge a pre-teen's perspective better than anyone else could. That was the thrust and the sparkle of her talent."

"Even today, very few parents and educators are prepared to discuss the way dynamics of care and safety and vulnerability all contribute to true intimacy, which is crucial for a satisfying love life. That is what Judy innately understood how to do. She taught us about our bodies and our hearts through her stories."

This is a compulsively readable, super engaging, absolute gem of a book. The author has taken material from multiple sources (fabulous references in the back of the book if you want even more Judy Blume info!) and woven it together in an extremely readable, fascinating, not-quite-biographical, but definitely personal, literary and cultural analysis of the Judy Blume canon and how it fits within her personal life. Bergstein generously shares the stories behind Blume's books, from inspiration to plot lines, to their effect on their readers and others in the broader community. At the same time, we understand more about key events in Blume's life and how each of the books fits into her story and within the wider cultural context.

Through the shifting social and political climates from when Blume first started writing until now, we are still dealing with many of the same issues...particularly around the right to information and knowledge and the desire for others to control girl's/women's bodies. The author clearly explains the through-line from censorship and book bans in the 1970/80s (Reagan, Shaffley, Moral Majority) to what is happening today, all over the US. Blume was and is on the frontlines of these attacks and the defense against them.

As Judy Blume consistently says: "Parents have a right to control what their own children read, but cannot unilaterally make those decisions for other families."

This book is a must read for any Judy Blume fan, but honestly also anyone who wants to understand more about censorship - how easily it happens and how important it is to fight against. Judy Blume is a national treasure.

4.5 rounded to 5

Please note: I received a digital copy from Netgalley & Atria Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Courtney Kammers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read zero Judy Blume books - but I read this all the same because I understand her influence on my life. The first time I heard a mention of one of her titles, it was in an episode of "Third Rock from the Sun" that I was covertly watching because my parents didn't want me to see it. The son makes a reference to all the work he has to do as a high school age human, including a book report on Are you there, God? It's me, Margaret. I remembered the title because of how funny it was, but had no idea what the novel was about.

In all, I'm not sure I will pick up a Blume novel unless I someday have a child, but I love that her writing shaped and influenced the novels I read growing up. I love that she created safe paths for the authors of my childhood - Meg Cabot, Lisi Harrison, Louise Rennison, Ann Brashares, and many others.

Thanks, Ms. Blume. And thanks to Rachelle Bergstein for writing such a readable book. It was fun to read this, which is one of the higher compliments I can give a novel.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a child growing up in the 1970s, Judy Blume was one of my favorite authors. Her books were relatable and current. My mom bought Are You There God, It's Me Margaret for me when I was in 5th grade and I learned more about puberty and periods than I did from the outdated Disney movie we were shown one day at school. I lived a pretty sheltered life and didn't have much awareness about the women's rights movement, book banning, or pushback on Judy by right-wing conservatives. All I knew was that I loved to read anything I could get my hands on, and especially anything by Judy Blume. In The Genius of Judy, I learned what a groundbreaking author she was and about the challenges she endured to keep her books on the shelves. The book also shares about Judy's liberation from her traditional marriage and her struggles to find herself. Overall, this was an interesting read that took me back to my preteen years. Isn't it interesting how history continues to repeat itself?

[Laura Bernheim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect book for this Judy Blume fan! Part biography, part literary criticism, part social history, part history of children's literature, and part love letter to Blume, this is a good complement to read alongside her repertoire.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not a huge reader of Judy Blume books in my youth but this book was really interesting.

[Michaela Buccola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was absolutely among Judy Blume’s beloved fans while growing up and coming of age. I think I vaguely was aware she was among the most banned writers (likely as an adult) but OMG she is top three of her generation with Salinger, Steinbeck, and Bloom leading the pack. After listening to this book, I am so grateful to have had parents that let me choose what I wanted to read - I read a number of Judy’s books inclusive of many of her banned titles mentioned here. I had a voracious appetite for reading and loved putting myself in other shoes but also loved reading about relatable topics such as the story of Margaret, of Are You There God It’s Me Margaret?, who gets her period for the first time. That is something that was so comforting at the time to know that I wasn’t alone. If my parents did choose to sensor any books that I choose to read, I wasn’t aware of it, but also as my parents that would certainly have been their prerogative. What I can’t abide by is making a choice of censorship for all kids, teens, and anyone else in between. While book banning is not new, it used to be inspired by grassroots movements and now it is being led by politicians themselves. What I never thought I’d ever hear in my lifetime (or any lifetime) is that “it is really scary to be a librarian right now”. How insane is that. Loved learning about Judy Blume’s personal story of her fame and all the children and teens made better by her books, then her notoriety among the banned, and now a whole second life her books are getting! What an interesting listen.

[Anita Lundry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to on audio. She may have ended up on my list because I’m reading banned books. She is up there with some greats in terms of how often, and how many of her books have been banned. One just because it has the word bitch in it (Flubber)!

Excellent book about Judy Blume with lots of details on her books and life - turns out I didn’t know much about her life and I can’t remember reading many of her books - except probably Forever and I thought Wifey, but now I think I may have only read the smutty parts!

Incredible insights on her life, her impact on the times, and the impact of the times on her writing. I’m putting her books on my short list to read as I have time. Started Deenie already (on tape during my drive to Ohio for Rachel’s 21st birthday). I’m enjoying it.

[Christie Bane · Rating 4 out of 5]

God, did I love Judy Blume as a kid. And as a teenager. And as a young adult. And as an almost-50-year-old. It’s impossible to quantify how much Judy Blume influenced the kind of adult I became, but I’m confident in saying she had a bigger influence than any other author. She’s STILL good. And she’s still controversial, and the topic of book banning, which her books have always been in the middle of, is still a thing. Revisiting her history and each of her books one by one, and learning the role each one played/plays in the culture wars, was fascinating. I went to Key West a few years ago, and visited Judy Blume’s bookshop there. It is a wonderful bookshop and it was wonderful to breathe Judy Blume air even though she wasn’t there at the time. Judy Blume will also be at the top of my own list of most influential authors ever.

[Heather Abbott · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This was an interesting look at author Judy Blume and her life and the impact she has had on society over the years. If you’re a diehard for her books or if you you’re a child of the 70s or 80s, you’ll likely enjoy this. Though it is a bit slow in some places.

The book itself is pure biography with seemingly no direct connection to Judy Blume. I mention this because many of the sources are other books or articles written about Blume. Worth a read if you’re a Blume fan. Thank you Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Heather Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Blume will always be a hero and genius to me. She helped me define my childhood through her characters. This book though fell flat or maybe I've just read too much on Blume. I didn't learn anything new and the author continually quoted Blume's other biographies, which was weird and redundant. Want the best of Blume - watch her documentary -Judy Blume Forever!

[Beth Menendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I loved the travel back to my childhood but also looking at my childhood through adult eyes and the parallels to current times was remarkable to me. Very good read and a great visit down memory lane.

[Cait Richine · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was lovely to spend time with the books that raised me, but this is mostly an uninspired bio sprinkled with recaps of books I already knew. Found myself skipping through much of this one. I love Judy, but this biography of her didn’t work for me.

[Alyssa Chester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shoutout to Judy for radicalizing many a young woman in adolescence

[Sabrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5