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Original poster

Judy Blume. Appropriate?

87 replies

2cats2many · 13/03/2019 18:38

So my Y7 DD has come home with a Judy Blume book from the school library. I never read them when I was a teen, but flicking through it, it talks about people getting laid and definitely has sexual themes.

I don't know how I feel about it? She's borrowed it because her also Y7 friend said it was good.

Would you be OK with this? I don't know how to feel about it

OP posts:

parrotonmyshoulder · 13/03/2019 18:40

Which book is it?

IWantMyHatBack · 13/03/2019 18:40

Is it Forever?

Original poster

2cats2many · 13/03/2019 18:41

Yes. Forever.

OP posts:

Aragog · 13/03/2019 18:41

Which one? Some are definitely aimed at a younger audience. All have themes on developing children but they do vary. Not all inappropriate for an 11/12 year old though.

threesenoughthanks · 13/03/2019 18:41

I remember reading lots of Judy Blume at that age. Which book is it?

Aragog · 13/03/2019 18:42

Forever is the one aimed a bit higher really - involves sex and sexual relationships. I remember it going round school when I was younger.

Original poster

2cats2many · 13/03/2019 18:42

I mean, the school let her borrow it and it's a Catholic school. Maybe it's not too racy

OP posts:

lots33 · 13/03/2019 18:42

I read all of Judy Blume’s Books, including the infamous Forever, at that age. It didn’t scar me!

Hollowvictory · 13/03/2019 18:42

No it's for much older ones. It was on the 6th form shelf at our school

PolarBearDisguisedAsAPenguin · 13/03/2019 18:43

I think she will read it whether you consent or not.

Original poster

2cats2many · 13/03/2019 18:43

I wonder why they let her borrow it?

OP posts:

MyDcAreMarvel · 13/03/2019 18:43

Forever isn’t suitable for a year 7 it’s a young adult book 16 +

ShakeYourTailFeathers · 13/03/2019 18:43

My friend had to explain a lot of Forever to me

it was very informative...

lots33 · 13/03/2019 18:44

The premise of it is two teenagers in a real who decide to have sex and nothing bad happens! And the willy is called Ralph!

itchychin · 13/03/2019 18:44

We used to pass this around the class (aged about 11/12) my Mum bought it for me - think this passed as sex ed for her!) 😂

user1474894224 · 13/03/2019 18:44

My mum heard about this on the radio and took it off me when I came home with it. So when I was at my cousins and saw she had it then I read it all!! It's about losing your virginity - graphic. And a penis called Ralph. That's all I remember. Her other books are nowhere near as adult as this. Up to you if you think your child is mature enough to handle it.....however, anything banned becomes much more interesting. Lol

threesenoughthanks · 13/03/2019 18:45

Yes I remember Forever. It has got quite a bit of sex in it from memory. I think the boyfriend called his penis Ralph! I don't think it glamorised it though more just talking about teen relationships.

TheFirstOHN · 13/03/2019 18:45

Y7 is the year that Forever was passed around at my school. I think most of the class read it. It describes a first sexual relationship that is safe, sane and consensual. And they use contraception.

threesenoughthanks · 13/03/2019 18:47

I guess this is why you don't see many children called Ralph anymore seeing as its the bit we all remember!

Original poster

2cats2many · 13/03/2019 18:49

I just spoke to her about it. I told her what it was about and she said Yuck! and threw it across the room.

She might be having me on but she said she's taking it back. And then I sent her over the edge by saying that if she had any questions she could ask me.

She was like

OP posts:

PotPlantPal · 13/03/2019 18:50

OP, she needs to learn about sex and she is going to one way or the other. Judy Blume is responsible but yes it describes two young people having sex. It is not pornograhic or glamourised - just a story of a girl growing up and having sex with her boyfriend and learning from it. I read it with my friends at 11 and related to the characters' insecurities that so many teenage girls face. It did NOT make me rush out and have sex. But at 11 every girl is curious and that is perfectly natural. Blume communicated the challenges of puberty really well in all her books, although they are quite dates now I would think. In the days before the internet these were a life saver, and I unfortunately did not have parents willing to discuss the birds and bees with me at all, so goodness knows how I would have managed without these books!

11 year olds can find out anything they like online these days so I really wouldn't think this book ought to be high up on your list of concerns - just my view.

Out of interest what is your plan for her to learn about sex? Can she be open and ask questions of you if the book prompts them?

Original poster

2cats2many · 13/03/2019 18:52

Thanks PotPlant but she's known how babies are made since she was 4 and we're very open about it in our house.

OP posts:

Iamnobirdandnonetensnaresme · 13/03/2019 18:55

I read this in Y6(catholic primary).
We passed it around and most of the girls read it.

If you are worried read it yourself first, I think it is a good conversation starter. It isn't sexy it's just kind of factual.

Theunreasonableone · 13/03/2019 18:55

Forever is definitely a bit more mature than yr 7. Maybe yr 10

gower4 · 13/03/2019 18:55

Year 10???

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