Since her first publication in 1969, The One in the Middle Is the Green Kangaroo, Judy Blume has written a variety of books to highlight the realities of growing up and the hardships we all face. Her books cover topics such as puberty, religion, violence, sexual content, etc., which has led to several of her books being banned in several states. As her books continue to be banned, Blume has been a constant force against censorship as she continuously battles for her books and children’s freedoms.
Her books have been a constant in the literature world even after 55 years as her books remain passed down from generations of women; especially during times of teenage adolescents. While continuously banned and challenged, Blume’s work continues to inspire and teach young readers as they find their way into readers’ hands one way or another. To celebrate Blume and her life’s work, here’s a list of three books written by Judy Blume that have been banned for their real yet sensitive content.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
To start off strong, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is one of Blume’s most highly acclaimed novels, as it has been passed down in generations since its first publication in 1970.
The story of a girl, Margaret, learning about the aspects of girlhood and womanhood while also battling her complicated relationship with religion. Her book has been banned on several occasions since its publication due to its sexual and religious content as Blume tackles subjects such as puberty and religious doubts. The book was made into a movie adaptation in 2023 and it covers all the uncomfortable and real aspects Blume touches on in her book. In 2024, this book was banned in Iowa.
Forever…
Forever… tackles the challenges of relationships and sex as Katherine, a high school senior, faces the struggles of having sex, college, and the complex emotions of being a teenage girl.
This book has been banned a multitude of times – especially in multiple Florida schools – due to its topics on teen sexuality but it has also seen praise for its highlighting of sexual safety and the lessons it teaches girls about dating. It is a coming-of-age story that tackles the complicated relationships of sex rather than being a sexy book, which is where some miscommunication occurs. In 2023 and 2024, this book was banned in Florida and Alaska.
Tiger Eyes
Tiger Eyes follows Davey after her father’s death during a shooting as she learns to cope with grief after moving to New Mexico with her family to be closer to her aunt and uncle.
This book has been banned for its topics on teenage depression, religion, underage drinking, and sexual content as Blume handles the challenge of teenage grief and angst. There’s a focus on the generalized topics that have led to this book being banned, yet the argument misses the point of the story, which is to highlight the harsh realities of grief while also expressing the complexities in healing to help kids deal with their own grief. In 2023 and 2024, this book was banned in Florida and Wisconsin.
“Censorship grows out of fear and, because fear is contagious, some parents are easily swayed. Book banning satisfies their need to feel in control of their children’s lives. This fear is often disguised as moral outrage. They want to believe that if their children do not read about it, their children will not know about it. And if they do not know about it, it will not happen.”
In her 86 years, Blume has not only touched the hearts of several generations by helping them during some of the most challenging times of adolescence, but she has also been a constant icon in the battle against censorship to make sure everyone, especially children, has access to stories that can help them and make them feel seen.
Want to learn about Judy Blume and her history with censorship? Click here.
Find these books and more on our Banned Books: Because We Stand With the Well Informed bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
