Menstruation, religion, masturbation. For the past 50 years, Judy Blume and her confident treatment of sensitive subjects have long been the target of controversy. In a world that has deemed the prospect of an empowered young woman a threat, the work of Blume, alongside her perseverance against censorship, has been a critical force in guiding thousands of girls through adolescence.
This year, Blume has once again come to the forefront of the discussion of female authorship and autonomy. Florida’s Martin County School District banned her 1975 novel Forever for its candid exploration of teenage sexuality, and a film adaptation of one of her most beloved books, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, debuted. Blume has additionally worked this year to raise over $3 million (along with other authors including Amanda Gorman and Suzanne Collins) to help PEN America open an office in Miami, in order to combat Florida’s book-censorship initiatives. “It’s not just the books under fire now that worry me,” says Blume on her website. “It is the books that will never be written. The books that will never be read. And…as always, young readers will be the real losers.”
