The inspiration for Judy Blume's "Fudge"

Judy Blume writes stories about the issues that kids think about — things like sibling rivalry, freckles, friends, and school. Her approach to these stories is warm and understanding and grows from her own feelings and concerns as a shy child. Blume’s picture and storybooks, as well as the Fudge series, are beloved for their humor, while her books for young adults offer relatable stories about characters who are maturing physically and emotionally.

In our interview Blume shares how books can be a gateway to talking about difficult subjects, why her own parents’ confusing explanation of puberty led her to write about the topic, and why she swears each book she writes will be her last.