I love you, Judy Blume!

[Cindy B]

I have read them in the past, and was a very good fan. The bulk of her childrens/juvenile books were originally written in the late 70's -80's... I had them memorized at the time.

Now, flash forward 20-30 years later, they don't seem as fresh and exciting. The context is off, and the point of references don't match.. yes, the story is still "usable", but some point of references don't work very well.

Now, be truthful, the kids that were teasing the child horribly in Blubber would now be suspended for their actions. The scoliosis treatment are not the same for Deenie.


Its not just Judy Blume, its other popular authors, the Beverly Cleary series' are the same way. The Ramona series seems slightly dated as well, good but "dated".

 

[snoopy]

You do have a point, Cindy. I tried to get my son hooked on the Beverly Cleary books, to no avail. I loved those books as a child. But with books like Harry Potter out now, with all the "special effects" and wildly facinating stuff of witches and wizards, well, how can Henry Huggins compete? Which is sort of a shame, since I like those simple books.

Then again, it may be just a boy thing, since BR's girls seem to like these Judy Blume books so much.

 

[Briar Rose 7457]

snoopy, both girls have read the entire Harry Potter series --- htree times. they're dying for book 5.


but they also love the Judy Blume books. and younger dd loves Beverly Cleary and devours Nancy Drew mysteries.

with the exception of "Margaret" I didn't read the Judy Blume books growing up -- she didn't really start writing until I was in junior high and high school. I didn't read the books until my girls brought them home.

I've read a lot of the books the girls bring home from school or the library. most of what they're bringing home is the "older" stuff -- what's being written right now just isn't as good. (though older dd was a devotee of Captain Underpants for awhile, I'm sorry to say.)

.

 

[Cindy B]

I tred to get my son reading Beverly Cleary, I thought he would love Stuart Little, no luck.

He loves Harry Potter, or in depth chapter books about Spiderman or designing roller coasters. (Sounds like a little Barry Hom, doesn't it...)

I also tried EB White, Charlottes Web, no luck.

I tried my daughter on American Girl books, no luck.. She like Clifford chapter books. Hey, Clifford has been around since I was a kid (Birdwell started writing them in the mid 60's), so I can't complain there. Its about time Clifford got the exposure he deserves.

I tried Hardy Boys as well, no luck. Same with Matt Christopher sports stories, they were OK. He thinks Dav Pilkey is DUMB. (Ricky Ricotta, Captian Underpants, etc...)


He loves Doris-Kindersley books with the great color pictures and fantastic explanations. He loves Spiderman chapter books. He loved the MIB chapter book...

 

[Buckalew]

Deenie talks about the old rigid sciolosis neck braces... the technology for that now is just amazing... plus I remember them talking about using a quarter for the bus fare... when was 25 cents a bus fare? 1974?

I have a client whose GDD has been in a brace for 5 years. I'm sure you'd agrue with that point. While reading Deenie, it was then that I discovered exactly what was wrong with my back/hip/spine. I was horrified. Thank God I didn't have to wear a brace and I loved the book for enlightening me.

I'm happy that DD (8) loves those "classic books". We are reading "Trumpet of the Swan" or something like that by EB White. DD sounds just like that boy Sam in this book it is weird! I wasn't a reader when I was growing up so I'm catching up on these now. I have read all the Ramona books now. Cheer me on. I'm aquiring a love for reading while reading with DD. We read all the American Girl books together too. They are so good. I guess good literature doesn't know my age... I'm enjoying all these kids books!
Oh, and I read Forever before I should have too! LOL