Judy Blume's Story - by Betsy Lee

A favorite author among young people for over 40 years, Judy Blume is this year's Honorary Chair for National Library Week (April 13-19, 2014). The beloved author is not only a life-long library user, and advocate for libraries, she is crusader against censorship. This isn't surprising, as her books are perennials on the list of Most Frequently Challenged books. Her best-selling novel for young adults Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret was targeted almost immediately upon its publication. It seemed fitting that I read Blume's biography for Young Adults in honor of National Library Week. Evidence of her love of libraries can be found throughout. As well it is easy to see where her battle against book banning began

Not everybody liked Margaret Judy gave three copies of the book tor Randy's and Larry's [Blume's children] elementary school, but they never appeared on the library shelf. The principal wouldn't allow them because the book dealt with menstruation. Schools in other cities also banned the book. "I was angry beyond words" says Judy.

This reaction was a steep contrast to the reception her first book, The One in the Middle is a Green Kangaroo, received. "She sent a copy of the book to Randy's third grade class, and Randy's classmates sent Judy cards telling her how much they enjoyed it. 'I felt like a celebrity,' Judy remembers."