Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Together, her 29 books have sold more than 90 million copies in 39 languages, and have been a touchstone for countless young readers, many of whom have been inspired, as grownups, to write their own books. Among her best-known works are Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. The long-awaited film adaptation of this classic novel is showing in theaters now. Judy was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year in 2023.
Judy’s knowing voice and honesty come with a price: the American Library Association has consistently placed Blume at or near the top of its list of authors most frequently banned. In turn, she has championed intellectual freedom by working diligently with the National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC) to support teachers and librarians who fight to keep challenged books on their shelves.
Judy was awarded the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters in 2004 and the Library of Congress’ Living Legends award in 2000. Judy is also the recipient of the 2017 E. B White Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters as well as the 2018 Carl Sandburg Literary Award from the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
