“My only advice is to stay aware, listen carefully and yell for help if you need it.”– Judy Blume
Judy Blume was born on this day in Elizabeth, New Jersey in 1938. Today is her 76 birthday.
She was always an avid reader and remembers making up stories in her head as a child, but didn’t really start writing until her own kids were in preschool. Her first book was The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo.
Bored with suburban life, she developed a creative outlet in writing and illustrating children’s stories. She published Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (1970), Blubber (1974), Tiger Eyes (1981), and several other novels for teenagers that dealt frankly with sensitive issues. [Biography.com]
She found a new audience in 1978 when she began to publish for adults. Blume hit the New York Times Best-Seller list with Wifey in (1978) and Smart Women (1983). She continues to score big. Her latest novel, Summer Sisters, sold over 3 million copies and 5 months on the NYTimes Best-Seller list.
More than 82 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into thirty-two languages. She receives thousands of letters a year from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her. [Judy Blume.com]
Judy Blume at NPR (Image Courtesy NPR.)
ritaLOVEStoWRITE 
February 13th, 2014 at 1:26 am
Go New Jersey!