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But Linda doesn't laugh. And maybe that's the problem. There's something about her that makes Jill and a lot of kids in her fifth-grade class want to see how far they can go. But nobody, least of all Jill, expects the fun to end where it does.
Jill goes along with the rest of the fifth-grade class in tormenting a classmate and then finds out what it is like when she, too, becomes a target.
Judy Blume, one of America's most popular authors, is the recipient of the 2004 National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. She is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of beloved books for young people including Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, and novels for adult readers including Wifey, Smart Women, and Summer Sisters. Her work has been translated into twenty-eight languages, and she receives thousands of letters a month from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, published in 1970, was Blume’s third book and the one that established her fan base. Drawing on some of the same things she faced as a sixth grader growing up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Blume created a sympathetic, first-person portrait of a girl whose family moves to the suburbs as she struggles with puberty and religion. In subsequent classics such as Then Again, Maybe I Won’t, Deenie, Blubber, and Tiger Eyes, Blume wrote about the pain of being different, falling in love, and figuring out one's identity. Usually written in a confessional/diary style, Blume’s books feel like letters from friends who just happen to be going through a very interesting version of the same tortures suffered by their audience.
Blume has also accumulated a great following among the 12-and-under set with her Fudge series, centering on the lives of preteen Peter Hatcher and his hilariously troublesome younger brother, Farley (a.k.a. Fudge). Blume’s books in this category are particularly adept at portraying the travails of siblings, making both sides sympathetic. Her 2002 entry, Double Fudge, takes a somewhat surreal turn, providing the Hatchers with a doppelganger of Fudge when they meet some distant relatives on a trip.
Blume has also had success writing for adults, again applying her ability to turn some of her own sensations into compelling stories. Wifey in 1978 was the raunchy chronicle of a bored suburban housewife’s infidelities, both real and imagined. She followed this up five years later with Smart Women, a novel about friendship between two divorced women living in Colorado; and 1998’s Summer Sisters, also about two female friends.
Blume has said she continually struggles with her writing, often sure that each book will be the last, that she’ll never get another idea. She keeps proving herself wrong with more than 20 books to her credit; hopefully she will continue to do so.
Blume is not an author without conflict about her station in life. She says on her web site that, as part of her "fantasy about having a regular job," she has a morning routine that involves getting fully dressed and starting at 9 a.m. She has also getting out of writing altogether."After I had written more than ten books I thought seriously about quitting," she writes. "I felt I couldn't take the loneliness anymore. I thought I would rather be anything but a writer. But I've finally come to appreciate the freedom of writing. I accept the fact that it's hard and solitary work."
Blume's book about divorce, It's Not the End of the World, proved ultimately to be closer to her own experience than she originally imagined. Her own marriage was in trouble at the time, but she couldn't quite face it. "In the hope that it would get better I dedicated this book to my husband," she writes in an essay. "But a few years later, we, too, divorced. It was hard on all of us, more painful than I could have imagined, but somehow we muddled through and it wasn't the end of any of our worlds, though on some days it might have felt like it."
Her most autobiographical book is Starring Sally J. Friedman as Herself, says Blume. "Sally is the kind of kid I was at ten," Blume says on her web site.
Blume keeps setting Fudge aside, readers keep bringing him back. The sequel Superfudge was written after tons of fans wrote in asking for more of Farley Hatcher; again more begging led to Fudge-a-Mania ten years later. Blume planned never to write about Fudge again, but grandson Elliott was a persistent pesterer (just like Fudge), and got his way with 2002's Double Fudge.
1. Wendy is the most popular girl in Mrs. Minish’s fifth grade class. Ask the class to describe Wendy. Cite evidence from the novel that Wendy is a “troublemaker.” How does Wendy misuse her popularity? Why does Jill fall to Wendy’s power?
2. Discuss why Linda is such an easy target for bullies. Describe her feelings when the girls do and say mean things to her. Ask the class to discuss what Linda could have done to help her situation.
3. Describe Jill and Tracy’s friendship. How is Tracy more perceptive about Wendy than Jill? Discuss whether Tracy would participate in bullying Blubber if she were in Mrs. Minish’s class. How is it sometimes easier to see through a situation from the outside?
4. Engage the class in a discussion about whether Mrs. Minish, the teacher, realizes what is going on between the girls. Find passages in the novel that indicate that Mrs. Minish is an “uninformed” teacher. What can teachers and school administrators do to eliminate problems with bullying?
5. Wendy tries to convince Jill and Tracy that it was Linda who squealed on them for putting eggs in Mr. Machinist’s mailbox on Halloween. Tracy doubts the accusation, and Jill suggests that Linda be given a trial. How is this incident the turning point in the novel? What are the lessons that Jill learns?
Howard92
Posted March 26, 2009
I read the book <Blubber> written by Judy Blume. This book is based on girls named Jill and Tracy. They go around doing naughty things and bullying a girl named Linda Fischer the <Blubber >.
I generally liked the story because it was hilarious, descriptive, and fun. However, there were things I did not like about this book. One part was that this book described bullying as a fun thing to do so in that case I was little bit disappointed by the fact.
Second reason is that there aren't many loving but a lot of hate such as bullying and name calling. Like "Blubber" or "Smelly Whale". I was expecting a friendship between Linda and Jill but got even worse instead. So I would like it if there were more love and friendship in this story.
Another thing that disappointed me was that there was no lesson I learned after reading the story. The story was itself was fun but it did not impress my heart at all. Instead it sort of gave me bad feeling because of the swear words that came out like "Bit-" or "Dumb a-".
Third, some parts were very evil and gruesome. This is one of the part that made me very angry. The girls made Linda Fisher eat a big ant covered in chocolate and threw rotten eggs at the neighbor's mail box and etc. I think these parts will influence the kids in a bad way.
As a result I would recommend this book to people with age over 14 but not to younger (especially not the elementary kids).
13 out of 24 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I loved this book, Judy Blume is a great author. I enjoyed Blubber really because it shows just how hard the 5th grade can be, it teaches a lesson: you always get back what you give out..sooner or later. Jill andher friends Bully the class "fatty" calling her Blubber and making fun of her, but they see its not so fun to be bullied when they become the targets. This book is funny, descriptive and i loved it.
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 10, 2008
Give me ¿Blubber,¿ the children will scream as they tug for this book. This scene will probably be occurring at libraries were kids discover how great Judy Blume Books are. <BR/>Have you ever been bullied? If you have you definitely should read this book called Blubber! In the story, Linda, Jill, and Wendy are all fifth graders. Jill and Wendy make fun of Linda and call her Blubber. Linda did an animal report on whales so the kids call Linda Blubber because the report was about an hour long!<BR/>In the book, it¿s almost Halloween and Jill is hankering to find out what Linda¿s going to be for Halloween. Jill decides to be a whale stripper to annoy Linda. The day after Halloween, Linda brings in lettuce and salads for her school lunch. Wendy, Jill and all the other classmates chant and sing, Blubber¿s on a diet! Linda¿s was crying, as she was explaining that she¿s trying to lose weight so no one will make fun of her. <BR/>I have never been bullied or have ever bullied anyone, but I have seen bullying and tried to stop it. That day, the boy was secretly slapping the girl and I noticed that the girl¿s tears were falling like bullets! I felt horrible for her and I definitely told the teacher!<BR/>I would recommend this book to anyone who loves to read funtastic books!
7 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 16, 2012
I am linda ( aka blubber) and i canot belive how many of u like this book it is so repetitive and not nice to ME!!! How dare u!! Its like all u gyz r bullying ME!!! I HATE U ALL!!!!!!!!!
5 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Over 35 years after it was first written, Judy Blume's Blubber still delivers a relevant view of bullying, from the perspective of fifth grader, Jill Brenner. After pudgy Linda presents a classroom assignment on the whale, she is nicknamed "Blubber" by Wendy, the most popular girl at school, and so begins a daily ritual of abuse. While Jill isn't the leader of the pack, she joins right in, seemingly without any hesitation. Is it peer pressure? When Wendy first writes a note using the name Blubber, Jill smiles, not because she thinks it's funny but because Wendy is watching her. After that, she participates wholeheartedly.
Over the next few weeks, most of the kids laugh at Linda, call her names, spit at her, and trip her. They even physically hold her down to mess with her clothes and later, to force her to eat something unappealing. Linda lets it happen, doing very little to resist or fight back. In the end, they lock her in a closet and declare that she's on trial. Of course, Wendy is the judge and this inquiry is anything but fair. Jill thinks that she'll never be in Linda's position, but she learns that popularity is fleeting and that her position in the classroom hierarchy only lasts as long as she is willing to go along with the crowd.
These kids seem to feel no remorse. In fact, there is a general lack of respect for their neighbors, teachers and other students. They justify inappropriate behavior by claiming that the person gets what they deserve. They vandalize houses during Halloween and brag about it. Their teachers are oblivious and Jill's parents are distracted, leaving the action to play out without any supervision. In many ways these kids are still so young, dressing up for Halloween or collecting stamps, and left to their own devices they sink to the lowest level. While none of the characters ever seem to gain much in the way of compassion or feeling, Jill does show readers that they should never let "other people decide what's going to happen to you" and that there are ways to stand up for yourself. This matter-of-fact, true to life portrayal of classroom dynamics is a must read!
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 31, 2012
UNDESCRIBABLE! BUY THIS ! YOU NEED TO READ IT!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted February 28, 2010
I remember reading this novel when I was in elementary school. Now, I was a huge fan of Judy Blume then, and even still admire many of her books. But this book was not one of my favorites. The things that were done to Linda were appalling, like making her show the boys her underpants(!!) and making her eat a chocolate covered ant! And the girls, including the narrator of the story, were horrible. The girls get caught rotten-egging a man's house (bad enough) but then don't even feel bad for what they've done! And they urinate in his yard! And then when the bad guys are supposed to get their comeuppance, it never really happens. Linda herself merely turns nasty but passionless, and not even a real truce is formed with anyone. The book leaves you feeling empty and even sad, and it doesn't 'teach' one anything.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 21, 2003
if the reader is over weight at all or just a larger child and wieghs more you shouldn't read this book. one of my close friends read this book at the same age as the girls in the book and she is not fat just VERY muscular and she weighed 10 pounds more then linda. SO she had to see a doctor and she has never been the same!! so this book is a very un thought over book!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 24, 2012
Great book might influnce bullying to others teaches a lesson too
2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 20, 2011
Just like all Judy Blume books, "Blubber" is a classic! I sure wish it were available on the Nook.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted September 9, 2012
I'm an adult that bought this book for something to do. I find children's literature fascinating. I didn't particularly care for this book because I don't think it fulfills it's potential purpose. I thought this book was supposed to discourage bullying--I don't think it does. For one thing, I feel like the author focuses points the finger at the victim of the bullying instead of the perpetrators. If the story was from the point of view of the victim instead of a bully, it may be different. I feel that children's books should focus on teaching kids to reflect inwardly instead of criticizing others. I think Linda, the victim, may have had her faults but she definitely did not deserve the harassment she received at the hands of others.Jill, the protagonist, does many things that show a lack of moral fiber. Although she gets punished a little--both for her treatment of Linda and some of the other things she did--she doesn't honestly seem sorry for any of it. She never says, "I bet Linda felt this way too; maybe I should not have treated her like that". I'm not saying kids books should all talk about perfect children--afterall, it is nice to be able to relate to people in literature. I just disagree entirely with the "moral" of this book. I think the author is trying to show that we shouldn't let others walk all over us. That IS a really good lesson--but I think based on the nature of some of the things in this book, she should have also talked about the importance of treating others like human beings.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 25, 2012
This book is so freakin amazing!!
Read it if you love judy blume!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 12, 2012
Isit good?
1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 6, 2001
Like Robert Cormier's The Chocolate War before it, Judy Blume's Blubber defies the rules of how a book about a school outcast should end. Jill Brenner, the protagonist, thinks it's fun to join 'class leader' Wendy and the other fifth-grade kids in picking on Linda Fischer, who's NOT the fattest kid in the class but gets tagged with the nickname 'Blubber'. Do you think Jill will discover that Linda is really a sweet sensitive kid who's misunderstood? Think again! Blubber exposes the cowardice, hypocrisy, and even fickleness that lies behind peer pressure and constant teasing. Jill learns cost of standing up for someone's rights, and how surprisingly easy it is for ANYONE to join in the 'fun' of making another person miserable just to fit in.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 24, 2013
I loved this book for show a flaw in everyone that we often hide from ourselves: that sometimes we are just mean to people for no good reason. I did this in 2 nd grade to a boy named Alex at my daycare.I didnt rralize how awful I was untill just before I moved away. Then, all I could do was apologise. I also loved it because it showed how cruel kids can be. And how much it hurts when you get bullied. Especialy if they do it in a way that person will never forget and about things like obesity. I am chubby,and in 2nd grade, and 3rd grade the kids teased me and it really hurt. In third grade, it got worse. I can still picture theyre voices in my head two years later.
This book showed me two sides of the stick that Ive been on, and made me look at things again. I felt even more remorse forAlex,and more remore for not alerting an adult when things got really awful for me,because it made me think:those kids in 2nd and 3rd grade werent any better. Though they never physically hurt me like the kids in the story, they said things that were partially true about my weight.
The only thing I disliked was that no one ever thought: its not anyones fault or choice to be overweight. I know this from experience. I honesly have no idea if normal weight people think this in real life.
BUY THIS BOOK! IT WILL MAKE YOUTHINK!
Anonymous
Posted May 1, 2013
Blubber is a girl named linda and everyone picked on her and clled her blubber. Then one day the shoe us on the other foot because wendy decided she would pick on jill and call here B.B and then she stood up for herself and everyone stoped pincking on her. Blubber teaches kids not to bully or watch people get bullied and to speak up.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 30, 2013
I saw the bad word she said mrs. Something is a b she mark everyrhing wrong on my paper.but every thing eles is hood.
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Posted March 21, 2013
Everyone has reccomended blubber! It'now a reccomendation from me!
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Posted March 19, 2013
This book gives people a good knowlege of things that can go on school.linda is great and strong.the other girl just follows
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Posted March 16, 2013
Linda is so strong
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Overview
But Linda doesn't laugh. And maybe that's the problem. There's something about her that makes Jill and a lot of kids in her fifth-grade class want to see how far they can go. But nobody, least of all Jill, expects the fun to end where it does.
Jill goes along with the rest of the fifth-grade class in tormenting a classmate and then finds ...