life_full_ofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I truly think Blubber is the most prolific of all of Judy Blume’s juvenile fiction. Dealing with bullying, following, and not standing up for the victim, this is a book for all kids and adults.
Jill Brenner is in the 5th grade and is an average student. While her best friend, Tracy, is in a different 5th grade class, it’s ok because she has other friends in her class. When the Queen Bee starts teasing Linda, Jill jumps on the bandwagon. She figures since Linda never stands up for herself, it’s ok; but when the tables are turned Jill discovers sometimes it’s not so easy to stand up for yourself when everyone keeps pushing you down.
This was the first Judy Blume book I read when I was a kid and it’s what caused me to fall I love with Ms. Blume’s writing. Listening to it as an adult brought about an entirely different set of emotions.
This book is not an easy read. It’s a beautiful look into a classroom hierarchy and how one mean kid can turn the entire class against one student in the blink of an eye. It also shines light on how some of the followers might think they are doing the right thing. This is a must read with a discussion for every 5th grade classroom because everyone from the teachers to the students can learn something from it.
Jill Brenner is in the 5th grade and is an average student. While her best friend, Tracy, is in a different 5th grade class, it’s ok because she has other friends in her class. When the Queen Bee starts teasing Linda, Jill jumps on the bandwagon. She figures since Linda never stands up for herself, it’s ok; but when the tables are turned Jill discovers sometimes it’s not so easy to stand up for yourself when everyone keeps pushing you down.
This was the first Judy Blume book I read when I was a kid and it’s what caused me to fall I love with Ms. Blume’s writing. Listening to it as an adult brought about an entirely different set of emotions.
This book is not an easy read. It’s a beautiful look into a classroom hierarchy and how one mean kid can turn the entire class against one student in the blink of an eye. It also shines light on how some of the followers might think they are doing the right thing. This is a must read with a discussion for every 5th grade classroom because everyone from the teachers to the students can learn something from it.
sochalilly's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jxg255's review against another edition
3.0
A book about bullying. It was intended to read with my daughter except she was highly uncomfortable with the bullying.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4 STARS
"Jill goes along with the rest of the fifth-grade class in tormenting a classmate and then finds out what it's like when she, too, becomes a target." (From Amazon)
When I first read this novel I did not really relate to the character but loved how Blume handled bully in this novel. A few years later I gained weight due to puberty and when I reread this novel I was able to relate a bit more. I had never been bullied due to my weight but I understood her feelings. I was always afraid I would be.
"Jill goes along with the rest of the fifth-grade class in tormenting a classmate and then finds out what it's like when she, too, becomes a target." (From Amazon)
When I first read this novel I did not really relate to the character but loved how Blume handled bully in this novel. A few years later I gained weight due to puberty and when I reread this novel I was able to relate a bit more. I had never been bullied due to my weight but I understood her feelings. I was always afraid I would be.
cota1903's review against another edition
1.0
Does not age well. The amount of snottiness of the characters in this book is nauseating. I cannot believe I enjoyed this book when I was younger.
jbuvalentine's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
kendrareads's review against another edition
medium-paced
3.0
A good book to spark a conversation about bullying, but I did not like how the bullies did receive any punishment or even a change of heart through their experience. Many 50 more pages could have resolved the story with some consequences of some sort.
ghostduchess's review against another edition
2.0
I remember loving Judy Blume books as a child, but I do not recall reading this one. I am reading through a list of banned books. Many of those books are children's stories. They are also not usually much to be banned. I do understand why parents might want this banned, though I don't believe in book banning. It's a book about bullying. The book is harsh at times. Children who behave as these girls do can often cause severe emotional trauma to their peers. These are the girls that trigger suicidal thoughts in middle school girls. I think that this book is quite realistic, but as someone who has experienced verbal abuse, I found it hard to listen to in parts.