mrsmishler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Body shaming
darbyart's review
3.0
I remember as young girl reading this and it disturbed me, made me uncomfortable. But mixes in the Judy Blume humor. Despite that it made me uncomfortable -- I was glad I read it.
space_hag's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs and Fatphobia
chaos_tempest's review
3.0
Blubber is an emotional read, I was so angry throughout the entire story. I hate this book, but I recognize how and why others like this. The moral of the story isn't blatant, a lot of children probably wouldn't realize why I'm so angry, why what Jill and the others to where doing to Linda was wrong, but by the end of it all, I think it would become more apparent.
linbee83's review
1.0
I love Judy Blume, she was my favorite author when I was a teen. But this one didn't sit well with me. Maybe it was the word Blubber that still makes me shudder that did it in for me.
life_full_ofbooks's review
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.
charlee92's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lightliterature's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
cashleykate's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is such an interesting perspective that I feel like isn't always seen much in literature, especially for the age range that this book was intended for. Blume approaches the idea of bullying from the perspective of one of the bullies. While not the main provoking party, the main character plays a cruel part against the girl deemed 'Blubber.' While the tables eventually turn when the protagonist steps up for the other, I found her to be a realistic young girl in the stages of life where most girls are cruel to one another. Blume writes books that I honestly think all children in their midgrade years should read-- this one was incredibly uncomfortable at points but it has its purpose.