Contact Judy

Hello Judy Blume, I am a school librarian at a public school in Philadelphia. My Ink Drinkers' Book Club, Grades 5 & 6, is reading Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret. I should say, read, because they devoured it. I have been at this school for 17 years and have facilitated the book club for that long, but never have the students had such a visceral and vocal response to a book. Needless to say, they identified with Margaret and related to the situations in the plot--even in 2023! I am going out on a limb here, but I wanted to invite you to pop in on Zoom to our annual booktalk breakfast on Friday, May 17th, between 7:50 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. I'm rolling my own eyes even proposing it to you; but when I imagine it happening, I think of what a thrill it would give the students. It would also give me a boost. I am in a large school district that has only a handful of functioning school libraries. Ours used to be one of the three; but next year, I will be teaching English and will try to fit the library classes in when I can. The library doesn't seem important to the administration here. As I prepared the program for the booktalk breakfast, I was feeling pretty blue about the whole situation (I have been a school librarian for 30 years), then I had this lightbulb moment. So, here goes. I know it is a longshot, but if you could be on Zoom with us for even five minutes on the 19th, it would be such an honor and a delight. I feel like I should have check boxes. Check here____ if YES; check here____if SORRY, NO. I understand completely if this is not possible. My students and I continue to love you and your books and are grateful to you for helping us to understand ourselves and to make us think.
Thank you, too, for your fight against censorship. Gratefully, Bernadette Cooke

Just in case, here's the Zoom link:
https://philasd-org.zoom.us/j/82252260968?pwd=YUxGSEZDKzNCS1lKeUV1b0d5S09IQT09

Hi Judy (and assistant!)!
I am taking my (adult!) daughter to go see the documentary this week here in Jerusalem, but I can’t find anything online about an Israel release date for Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret. We (and many of my 50-something peers) are dying to see it! Having recently reread the book, it totally stands the test of time - I loved every minute!! Can you please tell me about a possible release here and if it’s not scheduled, please pass along that we are waiting with bated breath! You have a huge English speaking fan base of American expats here!! With everlasting gratitude and huge appreciation for your career, your art and the impact you’ve had on so many of us, love, Jenny

Hey Judy,
I just finished watching your Amazon Prime Documentary at a ripe time of 12:42 A.M. I am writing because i was NOT a reader as a kid- I am now 20 years old about to turn 21 and after watching your documentary i find myself feeling regret? Judy, i’m going to be honest with you and tell you i have not finished a book in years, and i when i say years i mean years! (i can’t even remember the last book i read completely, is that bad?) I always start but never finish. I wish i would have been introduced to your books as a kid, i don’t know how i wasn’t, i feel like they seriously would have helped me a great deal but i’m also a firm believer in the quote “it’s NEVER too late”. Basically what i’m trying saying is that i’m going to pick up one of your books and read it cover to cover because i know there is healing properties in them for me i could use now as a young adult reflecting on my childhood and life thus far. I will be sure to report back to you once i’ve got my hands on one and definitely when i finish. Big emphasis on “when i finish “. I’m not going to lie to you either, this will probably be a challenge for me as i’ve always struggling with reading but it’s one that i can’t wait to beat and learn from!
Also is the address below one i can send a letter too? i like the “old fashion” way :))
A young sort of lost young adult,
Minnie
Really truly hoping to hear back from you

Thank you so much for all your incredible books. You helped me not only learn that the tribulations of growing up is something everyone deals with. I grew up without a mother and didnt have any siblings to teach me about life but your amazing books got me through it all. Thank you so much for all your incredible books. My dream is to come meet you in Key West. Hopefully one day!

Hi Judy! I’m a 29 year old who loved so many of your books. Thank you for them. They provided me endless hours of entertainment. I read them over and over and would still pick up one and read it in an hour. Your books taught me about the things I needed to know about. Again thank you for them. Even tho I was reading them 30 years later,they were relevant and have always meant so much to me. I hope you’re well ❤️

I remember reading “Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret when I was about 12 years old. I used to read voraciously when I was younger; and I would read this right before bed. I would hold my spot in the book by smooshing my pillow on top! I always felt like I was a lot like Margaret. So, so many similarities. I remember moving from New Jersey right before i started middle school and how my parents moved me to North Carolina. The book is different than my life of course… but the beginning of it is so similar to my story. Except, my Grandma passed away right before we moved. I didn’t like Where we moved to or where we lived. I found solace in my books. And I didn’t feel so alone. I forgot about all of this stuff I want to say as I got older… until I saw the adaptation to the movie today. It felt SO personal seeing one of my favorite childhood books on the big screen. It made me remember all of these adolescent emotions!! If life were only that simply “complicated” again. It made me miss being a little girl. And I remember my Dad telling me to slow down because one day I would wish I was a kid again. But I was always in a rush to grow up because I thought it only involved heels, makeup and wedding dresses. Anyway, all of this spurred to me find out if you were still around because I feel likeI need the opportunity to meet you! I read online you live in Florida Keys now and that’s so interesting; I just came back from the Florida Keys last week. My first time ever going. I’m one of those people that believes in signs. I only checked to see if you do meet and greeets and stumbled upon this page. Thank you for your books and words. I found and find so much comfort in them.

In the late 1970's and early 1980's I was an awkward young girl. That's when I discovered your books in my school's library. You became sort of like my best friend. It was as if you had written your books specifically for me. I became obsessed with making sure I read every one of your books. Back then, my world of books ended with my school's library. So, if they didn't have it, I didn't get to read it. But for the ones they had, it was as if you had crawled right inside my brain. Your characters came to life for me because I could so easily relate to them. You are the only author I have ever actively seeked out. I just want to thank you for being my "friend" during those awkward years. You were such a big help. Thank you! Now that the world has become more accessible, I have been able to fulfill my goal of reaching out to you. My new goal is to finally compile a complete list of everything you've ever written, and read it. I'm also going to seek out all interviews you have been recorded in. And of course, I'll absolutely have to go see Margaret! Thank you so much for helping me to have a love of reading. I don't read much anymore because I'm narcoleptic and fall asleep every time I try to read. But I'm going to find a way to finish reading everything you've written. I passed my love of reading on to my son by reading to him a lot when he was little. When I read to him,I did so with enthusiasm and brought the characters to life for him. He loved it so much that he taught himself to read at 3-4 years old, with the help of ABC Mouse. I never attempted to teach him to read. Next thing I knew, he was reading to me with enthusiasm and making the characters come to life. This all stems from you! You started this! You solely are responsible for it! THANK YOU!!!!! I would love to take a road trip from here in Indiana sometime just to go to your bookstore in Florida. I should put that on my bucket list. Another goal I have now is to own everything you've written. I only have a couple of your books right now. I found them a few years ago and just had to own them. Oh, I almost forgot to mention... I was a Teacher's Aid in kindergarten from 2016 to 2020. The love of reading that you helped cultivate was shared with a couple of hundred kindergarten kids during that time. My favorite thing to do was to read to them. They loved my reading. Hopefully, the way I read to them helped inspire a love of reading or writing in some of them. If so, it's all thanks to you. You have made a huge impact on the world with your writing! I'm a huge fan and hope to meet you some day. I'd probably be "starstruck" and wouldn't be able to form a sentence. Haha! Thank you so much for your impact on the world!

Jody Dayhuff

Hi Judy,

I read your book Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret when I was a pre teen and ,now 51, went to watch the movie! It was just as good as the book! I also grew up in Mt. Vernon Ohio. We actually lived in Gambier and my dad coached football and baseball at Kenyon College.
Is that you and your husband in the movie walking your dog in the park?
Thank you for your books and sharing your talents!
Take care and wishing you the very best in life, Michelle

I am your Margaret from the 1950s.0h how i wish i had a Judy Blume when i was at the age of changing bodies.
Of course i didnt have a Judy Blume since I am about your age,give or take. If there had been your book or one similar it would never have been allowed in our library or on the book shelf.I grew up in the bible belt where nothing was explained no time as our school activities we're controlled by the Baptist Church
When I was a fifth grader I walked home from grade scool with my best friend jeanie and another girl in sixth grade. It was around Christmas time and we had drawn names at school. She said she got Frances Kelly's name and wss going to give her a sanitary belt. Innocently I asked "what's that?" With a shocked look on her face, she told me to ask my mother. Jeanie said she knew.
Mother told me I didnt need to know. I told her Jesnie knew and she said she just said that and doesn't know. I persisted and my mother finally said itsfor girls who have "started" to hold pads in place. I asked where they wore them and she embarrassedly said "between their legs." I said "oh." End of conversation with mother.
The most embarrassing thing would happen 2 years later. I was in 7th grade atjunior high and we rode the bus. When i got home I noticed blood in my pants. I told my mother and she gave me a pairs of panties with a rag pinned inside. While my friends were wearing belts with pads in them I was wearing panties with rags in them. When I was 14 we went on a school trip to a state park to spend a couple nights in some old CCC barracks and enjoy the park. Another friend hzd started her period also. We went into the dressing room together
While I stalled she opened her suitcase and took out her sanitary pad and replaced her old one. I was too embarrassed for her to see the rags pinned in my panties so i took my bag and went into the bathroom to change.
Judy I am almost 82 years old and this is the first time I have told this to anyone. I could never talk to my mother about. When I was a little bit older she got my older sister to buy me a sanitary belt. I don't remember if I had the pads to go in them or not. When I got older i suppose I hsd the courage to buy the pads.
I had many more experiences when I stated to date with no one to talk to. Sex was not discussed. Girls had it with their boyfriends but could not talk about because you would be a bad girl.
Times were hard for young girls where I grew up. I'm so glad I could finally tell my secret to you Judy Blume.

Dear Judy Blume,
My name is Raven Rossini. I am in the fourth grade. I have read many of your amazing books. I have recently finished reading "Are You There God? It's Me Margaret." It was incredible! It really helped me because before I read it I was nervous about growing up, but reading about Margaret helped me change the way I looked at things. It was so good I didn't want it to stop reading it. That is why I am asking you to write a sequel. I know you are very busy and you probably get like 1 billion emails a day, but please consider writing back.

Sincerely,
Raven

Please write back!
PLEASE!😄