How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us with Author Rachelle Bergstein

TOMS RIVER – You are invited to a conversation with bestselling author Rachelle Bergstein as she chats about her newest book, the Genius of Judy, at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 21.

Everyone knows Judy Blume. Her books have garnered her fans of all ages for decades and sold tens of millions of copies. But why were people so drawn to them? And why are we still talking about them in the 21st century? The Genius of Judy takes an expansive look at Judy Blume’s life, work, and cultural impact, focusing on her most iconic – and controversial – young adult novels, from Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret to Blubber.

In the Genius of Judy, Blume’s story is revealed as never before, beginning with her as a mother of two searching for purpose outside of her home in 1960s New Jersey. Blume wanted to tell honest stories, but in doing so, she created a cohesive, culture-altering vision of modern adolescence. This came with backlash, making Blume the country’s most banned author in the mid-1980s. Blume’s works have nonetheless stood the test of time and are just as relevant today.

Registration is required for this free program. To register, please visit tinyurl.com/BergsteinOCL.

The Genius of Judy is available for free in various formats for Ocean County Library cardholders through our catalog.

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