What set Blume's work apart was the way in which she spoke to the questions and concerns of young people. And though a lot has changed for young people in the decades since beloved titles such as 'Margaret,' 'Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing' and 'Tiger Eyes' first hit shelves, kids and teenagers are still reaching for her books.

Her books have sold more than 90 million copies globally. Her frank and straightforward portrayals of young people have captivated the attention of countless readers. This Judy Blume renaissance is a testament to her enduring popularity. Meanwhile, 'Judy Blume Forever,' a documentary that explores author's life and impact on pop culture, was released last week on Amazon Prime Video. Her adult novel ' Summer Sisters' is set to become a Hulu limited series, the children's classic ' Superfudge' is being adapted into an animated film for Disney+ and the young adult novel ' Forever' is being reimagined for Netflix. 'Margaret' isn't the only Blume title being adapted for our screens. Kelly Fremon Craig's film adaptation of 'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret' hits US theaters this weekend, transporting longtime fans back to their childhoods and introducing a whole new crop of young people to Blume's perceptive characters. Harry was struck by how strong the voice of protagonist Margaret was, and while her daughter was put off by some plot points around bullying and gender roles, she thought the book was sweet and could relate to Margaret's spiritual uncertainty. 'It was a very frank portrayal of what it was like to be a teenager,' Harry, who lives in Sydney and is now a young adult author, said during a phone interview.Ī few years ago, Harry decided to reread the novel - this time with her own 11-year-old daughter. The book's straightforward account of puberty felt radical, and Harry breezed through the whole book in one sitting. Harry's mother read it when it was first published in 1970 before sharing it with preteen Harry in the '80s. The seminal coming-of-age novel, which tells the story of sixth grader Margaret Simon who's anxious for her body to mature and conflicted about religion, has been a cultural touchstone for generations of girls and women.

MIAMI - When Pip Harry first got her period at 11, her mother handed her pads and a copy of Judy Blume's 'Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret.'

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