Judy Blume's Classic Novel "Blubber"

Andrea Coventry: Judy Blume's books were a staple of my childhood reading. Her books were so relevant to us at the time and she was actively publishing during my childhood. I remember reading Blubber when I was in about the 4th grade and really felt like I related to Linda because I was that chunky girl in my class. In fact, the title of this book likely did encourage some of the kids to give me the same moniker, though I somewhat ignored them. And I also sort of related to Jill and her friends, because I know I was a part of making fun of other children as well.

Fast forward to me being a middle-aged adult. I almost cringe reading this now. Narrator Jill is much nastier about Linda than I remember reading when I was a kid. If that isn't bad enough, I can hear her words in my own voice, reminding me of how mean I could also be as a kid. [I feel like we all had our moments.] And I don't think it hit me as hard back then how bullied Jill was as well, particularly for not following along with Wendy and her crew all the time. I'd like to think that in the past several years, we've been working on teaching children to act better. But the problem continues to persist, at least as bad as depicted...

United States on Nov 19, 2023

Amazon Customer: I have not read this since I was. A kid. It sure brought back memories. Some of those who bullied me. And sadly those few I was a bully to.

United States on Jul 08, 2023

Maureen Gold: I bought the book for my granddaughter and she loves it. She is a reader and I love buying her books

United States on Jun 02, 2023

Nichole Whitten: Read this book as a child and now I bought it for my oldest daughter to teach the value of bullying. She loved the book!

United States on Apr 30, 2023

SideshowJazz1: Bullying is a problem in both school and the workplace, and not reading about it won't make it go away. A lot of parents expressed concern over their children reading this, as the ten-year-old cast cusses and uses violence. The swearing is rather mild (although at one point the protagonist calls the teacher a "b**ch" at one point and if that bothers you as a parent you may want to skip this one), and the violence is important. Every child should read this around the age of ten or eleven. As a student teacher, if I'd had a chance to teach older kids, I would have liked to talk over bullying from this book, and get some insight.
Why is this book so important? It's a harsh, realistic look at how bullying works. Bullies target people who stand out, but then only continue if the victim doesn't know how to stand up for themselves. The book illustrates that you have to stand up for yourself and that telling adults often doesn't work if you don't put in any effort to stop it yourself. And every other kid will join in on the bullying in order to not get picked on. The narrator of this book pretends to think the bullying is funny and willingly joins in, but the minute she stands up to...

United Kingdom on Mar 18, 2020

Catherine A Crew: Blubber,I read most of Judy Blume’s books to my son many years ago.Now I’m reading them to my Grandchildren,Blubber and Freckle Juice are a could of their favourites.
Thanks Judy Blume.❤️🇨🇦

Canada on Dec 27, 2019

Avari Hidlebaugh: Blubber is one of judy blume's best books,it is an awesome novel for many chirdren,but most pupils under 9 might find the text confusing. Also there is a slight use of cursing so I suggest this book is only read from ages 9-14 other than that Blubber is a novel that will be passed on for generations and might someday become a classic because of it's heart-felt text and connections to real everyday life.

-Nicole Parker (check out my web cite at #AMAZINGBOOKS.ORG AND FOLLOWING ME ON FACEBOOK <3 (; (:!!!!!!!!!!

Canada on Nov 11, 2018

Miriam Weintraub: Llego con rapidez

Mexico on Oct 19, 2018

sd: I have read some negative reviews about this book and can't quite understand what they are complaining about. This book gives you different views of a person being bullied. Wether your apart of it, quiet in a corner, being bullied or the one the table gets turned on. Wendy did get her due justice (not the way we may have wanted), she was called out in front of her minions. By calling her out, and making the others think for themselves, stopped the tirade of this little queen and her minions. This showed children that you can speak up, and yes there will be painful repercussions but you can surpass that too. What there afraid of will happen, but this is what you can do. Not so simple, but possible. As parents we need to at times be a friend and remember what it was like as children. Doing so will help us relate better and hopefully make our children trust and feel comfortable when coming to us. I had a Wendy, a teacher who didn't like Polynesian kids, and would not do anything to My Wendy because of her father's influence. Luckily for me my family that said (those against violence will not like this, but I don't care) "if someone causes trouble to you, tell the teacher,if the...

United States on Sep 03, 2016

Nidhi: The book came to me really nicely packed in bubble wrap and everything. I had ordered it on 2nd March and got it on 3rd March which made me really happy. Quality-5/5.
About the book, it's pretty thin as it is meant for, I think, fifth-sixth graders. The font was rather large which made it really easy to read. You can read it in 2-3 hours or less if you're a fast reader. I also really liked the cover, I find it cute though the book is far from cute.
I know it is clearly meant for younger readers and I'm in 9th grade right now, but I really wanted to read this book from a long time because, you know, the author is Judy Blume. She is a phenomenal writer and her books are amazing.
So, it is about Jill Brenner who is in 5th grade and how she and her friends Wendy,Tracy, Caroline and the whole class basically bully and torment their classmate Linda. Linda is overweight and they relentlessly tease her about her physique and call her " A Smelly Whale". They call her "Blubber" which is the fat that lies under the skin of whales. Not only this, but far, FAR worse things that you won't imagine kids would do. I felt really sorry for Linda who had to take all the humiliation and she...

India on Mar 09, 2016