The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us

Judy Blume has an unshakable presence in the adolescence of many folks, with writing that now holds a place of nostalgia. ­Bergstein’s new biography offers a perfect blend of that connection juxtaposed against details from Blume’s life that offer insight on her career and, perhaps more importantly, her individual self. Details from interviews, newspaper clippings, and other primary documents are the heart of the text, and Bergstein expertly creates a cohesive whole out of this tapestry of sources. Weaving together details of Blume’s growing career with the complexities of her family relationships and the evolving political climate that provides the ongoing context for her writing, ­Bergstein has crafted something intimate and expansive, with the perfect mix of looking back in order to point a way forward. The censorship Blume faced early in her career is brought into conversation with current efforts to limit reading choices as well noting her continued presence as a feminist voice speaking up for young readers. This makes what could feel like a niche nostalgic work into a text with urgency and wide appeal.