Blume, J. (1974).Blubber. New York: Dell Publishing
Despite being over 30 years old, this book seems more relevant today than ever. This book is frequently challenged due to the persistent cruelty that runs through the text. The story revolves around Jill, a girl in the fifth grade. There is a girl in Jill’s class, Linda, who has weight issues and after presenting a report on whaling she is dubbed, Blubber. Throughout the book there are issues of peer pressure, mob mentality, children's cruelty towards each other, and so on. In a society that is in the midst of an obesity epidemic the reality of Linda's situation hits home. There are many passages that are hard for even me, a perpetually skinny male, to read, which speaks to Judy Blume's ability to spin a convincing narrative. The reader alternatively feels Linda's pain, spite for the antagonism of her classmates, and relief that this isn't happening to them... but somewhere this story is happening to someone and that is why this book should be read.
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