Blubber

October 13, 2003
Youthful actress Feiffer's voice could easily be mistaken for a fifth-grader's, a circumstance that gives her performance an authentic edge. Linda has become an easy and favorite target for teasing by her classmates. When she gives an oral report on whales, many of the kids decide to begin calling Linda "Blubber," claiming it befits Linda's chubby build. Jill is in on the action with all the others, until the taunting reaches a boiling point and Jill finds herself on the opposite side of the fence—catching the brunt of her classmates' meanness. Unfortunately, Feiffer's reading occasionally lacks rhythm and often fails to capture much of the sarcastic and biting snap that characterizes Blume's story of cruel, pervasive bullying at school (and on the school bus). Though this book was first published nearly 30 years ago, its subject matter remains relevant and should easily hold the attention of middle-graders. To emphasize this sense of timeliness, listeners receive an audio bonus: a conversation between Blume and educator/librarian Pat Scales on the topic of bullying. Ages 9-12.

December 1, 2002
Judy Blume's body of work returns to her original editor, Richard Jackson, with the rerelease of four classics in hardcover. An African-American family moves to all-white Grove Street in Iggie's House, to be released in April. The author's breakthrough title, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, about 11-year old Margaret Simon's struggles with puberty and religion, is now available in hardcover as well as in a Spanish-language edition, Estas ahi Dios? Soy yo, Margaret. Two additional titles came out last season: Blubber takes on preteen teasing; and It's Not the End of the World explores the effects of divorce.