Reviews

Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume

sanakhattak's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.0

deschatjes's review against another edition

3.0

#friendship #divorce somewhat pedestrian look at friendship and parental separation - nicely treated but didn't end up really caring very much about any of the characters. Upper elementary / lower middle school level.

jennc's review against another edition

3.0

Funny and sweet. Judy’s books always make me nostalgic for my childhood. This one reminded me about buying a new winter coat every year and Crazy Eddie. A good book.

stacynalley's review against another edition

4.0

Cute book about coming of age teenage girls. This would have resonated with me when I was 12-14 for sure.

vividaway's review against another edition

funny informative lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book being about middle schoolers is sweet, because I didn’t read when I was a teen. It’s like a little insight into the world of what could have been. The lingering plot line of the talking dog is one that is sweet. They’re all young, and they’re gullible (except for one of the girls) and they still have their youthful whimsy.  Bruce having nightmares about nuclear war is interesting and provides depth to his character. Them writing letters to the president was bittersweet, and its nice that his family helps out. The girls finding out that Stephanie’s mom is famous was another interesting scene because you see how the girls are so shocked by it, but to Stephanie, it’s just normal. There’s nothing extravagant about it for her. Alyson revealing that she lied to be friends with Stephanie and Rachel was adorable and it shows that-- they’re just kids. Kids having fun and navigating life. Rachel getting transferred to advanced math makes Stephanie feel like they’re drifting apart even though they’re still together. The reveal that Stephanie’s parents are splitting up was shocking and I wasn’t expecting that. Peter sharing his shampoo with Stephanie was adorable, and i think its a nice way to show interest between the two. The girls obsession with periods reminds me of my own friendships i had growing up with girls, where we all sit there talking about our future and what we want to develop. The mentions of weight are interesting but i’m unsure how productive they are. A lot of the times, when weight is mentioned in a book, it’s a bad thing. Stephanie doesn’t take it as a bad thing, and instead, uses it against her father. Stephanie lashing out at Iris is realistic to how children may react to new relationships in the family, especially this early into the separation. Steph still has hope for her parents, no matter how wrong she is about it. Bruce winning his position for the peace project was a smart way to write a solution to the nightmares that have been happening about nuclear war. Bruce wants peace, it’s as simple as that! Rachel and Stephanie growing apart is sad but makes sense, because sometimes you just grow apart as people. That’s life. The blowout between the two was a really good scene and i liked the way it played out if im being honest. Rachel pents up her anger until it comes spilling out of her. Stephanie getting her period on her birthday was a cute moment where she finally feels grown up. Them getting their first kiss the same night was also so sweet, and she really did grow up! Alison finding out her mom was pregnant was also a big twist that i wasn’t expecting! Her wanting to keep it secret makes sense, especially when Stephanie’s mom is friends with Alison’s mom. She’s worried that she wont be good enough as a daughter if her mom has a biological child, since she’s adopted. Rachel and Stephanie making up with each other was a bit rushed but it was a cute scene. It recreated the things they did as kids and its a nice call back. The cliffhanger was nice and didn’t cause enough tension, and you wouldnt NEED a sequel to exist (thought it’s set up for one). 

meesh_86's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

cornmaven's review against another edition

2.0

Disappointing reissue of a 1987 Blume novel. While the cover photo is current and perfect, Blume never took the time to update it. Some glaring examples:
-No cellphones, Internet, Skype or social media
- Stephanie's mom gets a VCR Jazzercize tape for a present
-Stephanie dreams of getting a Princess phone for Christmas/Birthday
- I don't know many 7th grade girls who would buy a poster of a young Richard Gere
- Stephanie's outfit choice for a school dance is not a 2015 choice
- No flu shots available to these upper middle class families
- The classroom banter is really today's 5th grade level

In fact, this reads like 1987, and kids have changed A LOT since then. The immersion into social media and the addition of cellphone addiction for 7th graders these days has changed them. Stephanie and Rachel's breakup? Why, that would have been plastered all over Facebook. The kids are mean, but not as mean as they really are in 7th grade these days. The kids in this story are more 2015 5th grade level. I don't know how this is going to speak to 7th grade girls these days, as the social issues are so much more intense. I think Rachel Vail's Unfriended did a better job of the friendship thing today.

While the issues are timeless, Blume really should have updated the details. And I really didn't like the casual acceptance of an affair during a separation. Stephanie had a right to be upset about that, imho, and there was little discussion about its wrongness. The parents were so wrong not to talk about their decision with their children, and Stephanie's reactions and feelings are warranted.

angxie's review against another edition

emotional inspiring lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

sierralima's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

dembury's review against another edition

3.0

I've recently been revisiting Blumes work, and something that is just consistently holding them back for me (even if I remembering loving the book as a kid) is the constant fatphobia. I didn't remember it being so bad in this one but at one point it just ramps up and develops a really shitty narrative on 12-13 year-old girls bodies. Like, part of the "happy ever after" aspect is tied to Stephanie losing weight she gained? Her mom sends her with a boiled egg and carrots for lunch while trying to make her do exercise videos? Honestly the other topics and discussions in here are pretty solid, but I definitely wouldn't love putting this in the hands of the target age reader because of the body image aspects.