What To Read

The pioneer of TweenLit is having a moment. Suddenly, Judy Blume seems to be everywhere—and for good reason. The way she writes about growing up, like it’s just a totally normal part of life, is still totally, if mind-bogglingly, rare. More than 50 years after the pub date of her bestselling coming-of-age middle grade novel, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, the book has been adapted for film and will open in theaters April 28.

At the same time, many of her books are still being banned in U.S. schools and libraries, often because they deal with issues like puberty, friendship, crushes, sexuality, divorce, and bullying. But those bans won’t stop fans from devouring Blume's stories. In fact, three different TV adaptations of her books are in the works: Jenna Bush Hager is bringing Summer Sisters to screens; an animated adaptation of Superfudge is coming to Disney+; and Forever is being reimagined in a forthcoming Netflix series. Judy Blume Forever, a documentary that premiered at Sundance, will stream on Amazon Prime this spring. So why the Judy Blume Renaissance?

Blume’s books still resonate with this generation because they’re authentic. They’re raw. They’re honest. They shine a little light on all of the little things, and some of the big things, that kids go through when they’re growing up—universally awkward and uncomfortable things, the weird and unknown things, confusing and hard things. And in doing so, these books make the tweens who discover them feel seen and heard and believed and hopefully comforted. Maybe a little less alone. They say to kids, what you’re going through matters.

And, while there may not be another Judy Blume, now or ever, there are some other newer books, ones written in this decade, that we think are also worth a read. Here are some of our favorite Blume classics and some modern stories by other authors with similar themes.

Becoming Yourself 

If you loved... Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

Then you might enjoy:

Shug by Jenny Han

This page turner, similar in substance and style to Blume’s books, is narrated by 12-year-old Annemarie as she navigates her first year of junior high school.

And...

➳ Other Words for Home, Jasmine Warga 

➳ Spurt, Chris Miles

➳ Melissa (previously published as George), Alex Gino 

➳ The Magic Fish, Trung Le Nguyen

Friendship

If you loved... Just as Long as We’re Together by Judy Blume

Then you might enjoy:

TBH, This Is So Awkward (Book #1 of the TBH series) by Lisa Greenwald

Definitely one for the digital natives, this novel is written entirely in texts, emails, and notes passed in class. My daughter read the series multiple times.

And...

➳ A Good Kind of Trouble, Lisa Moore Ramée

➳ New Kid, Jerry Craft

➳ Because of Winn-Dixie, Kate DiCamillo

➳ Restart, Gordon Korman

Family

If you loved It’s Not the End of the World by Judy Blume

Then you might enjoy:

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks 

Both of my kids loved this moving, suspenseful story about love, trust, and standing up for people, as the 12-year-old protagonist helps her dad get out of prison.

And...

➳ The List of Things That Will Not Change, Rebecca Stead 

➳ Hands, Torrey Maldonado

➳ Genesis Begins Again, Alicia D. Williams

➳ Front Desk, Kelly Yang

Mental Health

If you loved Blubber by Judy Blume

Then you might enjoy:

Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds

Funny, hopeful, and action-packed, this graphic novel shows what it feels like to face the outside world with one persona when you have other feelings, like anxiety, going on inside.

And...

➳ Taking Up Space, Alyson Gerber 

➳ The Science of Breakable Things, Tae Keller

➳ The Miscalculations of Lighting Girl, Stacy McAnulty

➳ Fish in a Tree, Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Jen Swetzoff is the cofounder of Anyway, a gender-inclusive magazine about health, wellbeing and culture for kids ages 9-15. She consulted with librarians, teachers, other parents—and actual tweens—on this article. Use code TERTULIA for 20% off your first issue of Anyway!