Whether they find them in the library and read them with their parents, or borrow them from friends and secretly read them alone, young people love Judy Blume books. Millions and millions of sales, television and film adaptations, and numerous awards from organizations across the United States demonstrate her popularity. Some critics argue that the success of Blume's work is due to the discussion of sex and sexuality in her books for young adults. A few of these contain explicit sex scenes, discuss the physical changes that take place during adolescence, or feature language that would not be allowed in classrooms. Such behavior--thinking about sex, having sexual relations, using profane language--happens in Blume's world. Instead of punishing her characters for their actions in her books, Blume communicates that many of these thoughts and behaviors are normal. At the same time, Blume provides information that can help readers evaluate...