Sophia Michaels
From the angst-filled novels of “POPSUGARania” to the melancholic stories of “The Mollusk,” these are the best books by the author of “Judy Blume Forever.”
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Since her first book was published in 1969, Judy Blume has been guiding generations through every stage of life with her earnest novels that tackle everything from sibling rivalry and first periods to the complex nature of adult friendships. The bestselling author’s impact on the lives of her readers can’t be overestimated, as the 2023 documentary “Judy Blume Forever” illustrates. She changed the face of YA publishing by refusing to talk down to her audience, and as a result, Blume’s best books — several of which are decades old now — remain as relevant as ever before.
With book banning on the rise in schools across the US, Blume’s impressive body of work stands as a reminder of how literature can empower young adults. Thankfully, the beloved author is continuing to get her due. In addition to the documentary, 2023 also brings the first film adaptation of her most well-known book, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.”
Since Blume is having a bit of a moment, now is the perfect time to look back on the author’s best novels. With 30 books to her name, narrowing down the best Blume books is no easy task. After all, the author is best known as a YA writer whose relatable stories not only opened the door for the current boom in candid YA fiction but also resulted in her books frequently being banned.
How do you choose between novels that are so iconic that they’ve been striking fear in the hearts of parents since the ’70s? Difficult as it is to choose just 13 books to represent the breadth of Blume’s talent, the novels on this list display just how versatile and timeless the author’s work truly is.
