Chapter Books A to Z: J is for Judy Blume

I don't think I would have made it through my childhood without Judy Blume. We all started with her shorter books, Freckle Juice and The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo. These were about finding a way to love yourself for who you are.



Then we graduated to the longer and thicker chapter books, such as the series about Fudge, and all of the girls who weren't comfortable in their own skin. How many of us were able to relate on some level to Blubber; Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret; Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself; Deenie; Just As Long As We Are Together?



And how many of us snickered when we read Forever and learned about Ralph?


Judy Blume had an amazing knack to channel her younger self and to make all of us reading her books feel like we had a real friend going through the same problems at the same time. I can't tell you how many times I read and reread those books. I wore them out. I read them by the pool and hiding in my room or in the book corner at school. I passed them back and forth with my friends, convinced we would all stay best friends forever. I learned and I grew and felt a little bit more normal in an abnormal time of life.

Chapter Books A to Z: F is for Fudge

A classic naughty character for your chapter book reads is Fudgie. His real name is Farley Drexel. He is the male counterpart for Beverly Cleary's Ramona, but was written by Judy Blume.

Fudge appears in five different chapter books: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Shelia the Great, Superfudge, Fudge-a-Mania, and Double Fudge. His older brother is Peter Hatcher. He does nothing but to cause trouble for his brother and get himself into all kinds of scrapes.



My favorite book in the series was always Superfudge. In this one, Fudge is four years old. The Hatchers now have a baby whom they have dubbed Tootsie.  In honor of her arrival, Fudge's parents taught him from where babies come. To their embarrassment, he shares his new found knowledge with everyone he encounters.

Grandma comes to stay to help take care of the baby. She brings with her a myna bird. Fudge decides that he also wants to be a bird, but painfully learns that he can't fly. He also manages to swallow his brother's turtle.

These books are classics that can even be read with younger children. I have read Superfudge to my kindergartners on occasion. They can't believe how naughty he can be! These books are also classics to be shared with elementary students. You will either relate with the younger sibling issues or be grateful you don't have one like that!