Judy Blume is in a class by herself among writers of books for children and young adults. In less than two decades her books have sold more than thirty million copies. Part of the Blume phenomenon is that her readers become involved with her as well as with the characters in her books. Two thousand children a month write letters to her. At the same time the books enjoy enormous popularity, they are also highly subject to censorship attempts because of their frankness in sexual content and language and the lack of traditional moralizing and authoritarian pronouncements. Blume's books reflect a general cultural concern with feelings about self and body, interpersonal relationships, and family problems. It is her portrayal of feelings of sexuality as normal, and not rightfully subject to punishment, that revolutionized realistic fiction for children.

Blume's refusal to prescribe solutions or advocate punishment may disturb would-be...