Blubber

Rating:
Summary: some justification of Blume's devices
Review: I have to start out with the disclaimer that I have not read this book in at least eight years, perhaps longer. But now that I've come across people rating it with one or two stars simply because there is no happy, moralistic, pat ending, I feel some justification of Blume's choice is needed. As a child, I was teased and ignored a great deal in elementary school. This wasn't because of abnormal weight (I was quite skinny, actually, and small), but because I was an intellectual who would have rather read and written in my journal than played games, etc. with the other children in my class. Teachers often had no idea how to handle the situations of outright shunning and verbal cruelty that often came my way, but why should they? They weren't the ones experiencing it, so they could have no clue as to how deeply it hurt, even though, like most kids, I told myself stubbornly that I didn't give a damn what they said, or thought, of me. The fact that this story has no beautifully resolved ending speaks directly to the idea that Judy Blume most likely experienced some of this degrading crap as a child, which gives the book an authentic ring.

Rating:
Summary: Disturbing lesson
Review: This book is disturbingly true to life and teaches a graphic lesson - any child can be a victim, and bullies are vicious. And once the bullying starts, a child must take strong steps to stop it, or it will escalate. And adults are not much use in preventing it. (I get amused at articles in magazines about how adults can prevent bullying - this book very realistically shows that ineffectual they are in that area). The cruelty by the children in this book was stark and realistic, and Jill's ultimate victimization was striking and disturbing. But I think the main lesson is that a child must find a way to fight back and stick up for himself, or, as Jill poignantly states, Otherwise everyone else will end up deciding everything for you (or something like that, I can't remember the exact words). In other words, you'll be stepped on and taken advantage of and hurt unless you look after yourself. That is the most important lesson of this book - be proactive, and look after yourself, because no one else will. This is a good lesson for children, and for children to remember into adulthood.

Rating:
Summary: Blume busts a great book!
Review: The book Blubber by Judy Blume is a fabulous book for kids and young teens. It has a variety of characters with very different attitudes. The three main characters are Jill, Linda, and Wendy. Jill is the most main character, she is the type that you would think is friends with everyone and has no enemies except for the one girl that has no friends, she is like this until her friends all turn on her. Wendy is a lot like Jill except for the fact that she is a "know it all," she is the one that everyone in the class follows and if they don't they know they will be made fun of. Linda is the one girl in class that everyone picks on and they call her blubber because she is on the chubby side and did a report on whales. The book is basically about how people within the ages of nine through twelve go through in everyday life. The book takes place in modern times. The theme is mostly on friendship and trust. I really liked the story a lot and recommend it to many young people.

Rating:
Summary: Blume has no equal
Review: This is an EXCELLENT story! Great look at this age group--and sorry, folks, but adults still behave this way. They're just quieter, more sly, and discreet about it. The ramifications of standing up for what you believe in. The price of a conscience. Excellent story!

Rating:
Summary: Blubber was amazing
Review: This book was so cool.It took place in Mrs.Minish's class while they were doing there reviews.Linda did her about whales and Blubber.Everyone started calling her Blubber because she was so fat.Then they became enemies.One day they met each other in a party.There parents wanted them to be friends.Will they become friends or enemies forever?Read to find out.

Rating:
Summary: Sadly Realistic
Review: In Judy Blume's realistic novel, "Blubber," Jill struggles with her actions and how they really affect others around her. She is influenced by a girl named Wendy in her fifth grade classroom to tease and ridicule others. Their main target is Linda Fischer, who is mocked because of her weight. Wendy thinks it will be hilarious to start calling Linda, Blubber, after Linda's report on whales. Wendy persuades classmates, including Jill and her best friend Tracy, to begin calling Linda by this awful name. Jill begins to feel guilty about the way Linda is being treated. So, when Linda needs help during a fabricated trial, Jill steps up to the plate. Unfortunately, by crossing Wendy, Jill puts herself in the same shoes with Linda. Everyone begins to ridicule and torment Jill, who never thought this could happen to her. Does Jill fight back? Do Linda and Jill become friends? What happens to Wendy in the end?
Judy Blume's book is extremely close to real life fifth grade. I have been in a fourth grade classroom this semester, and I have seen the same type of things happen in the classroom. Children at this age are very cruel and unaccepting of others. The children who are picked on respond in the same way that Linda responded. Not many of them stick up for themselves the way that Jill does. Ridicule in these grades is probably the worst thing children have to face, and Blume captures the feelings and actions of the children so vividly. The choice of words and phrases used by the children in the class are very much like the syntax of children in a fifth grade classroom. This makes it easy for the typical reader of this book to understand, and it also gives the reader a good sense of who the characters are. There are a few cuss words within the pages of the book, which is actually probably very accurate. As adults we do not actually hear the "bad words," children say, but that does not mean they are not there in our absence. In saying that, I do not think language should keep this book from children who would benefit from a novel teaching a good moral lesson.
Another thing I found interesting about, "Blubber," is that the reader goes through somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster when Jill decides to do the right thing. They do not know whether they should be secretly happy that Jill gets what she gave, or sincerely feel sorry for her. I am impressed on the way Judy Blume really plays on the reader's emotions all throughout this book. Another big issue that is controversial is the fact that the characters in the story are so cruel, and the parents' lack of action almost condones their behavior. Again, I think this is very realistic. Most parents and even school faculty are unaware of the amount and kind of cruelty that goes on in the classroom. I would not keep this book from children based on this controversial issue either.

Rating:
Summary: of all the judy blume books read this has to be the most...
Review: Well I think this has to be the most boring book i ever read written by Judy Blume and she is very good writer. And I just found this book very boring.But this might be good to read to a class room because it talks about teasing and the story kind of differnt because the person who makes fun of this one girl is telling the story. But at the end it has a moral meaning because ever one makes fun of the girl (the main chacter) and she kind of learns how it fealt to the girl that she was making fun of. and i could see myself as the main chacter when i was hear age.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOKS FOR KIDS
Review: Judy Blume books have got me through my childhood... As I love to read...I loved reading these books to pass the time and they are very interesting!!! Her books always have a message of respect for others as well as self security..

Rating:
Summary: Blubber
Review: I am a student at West Virginia State College taking a Children's Literature course. This is a banned book in most schools and although there were a few cuss words and the children making fun of oneanother, i believe this is a good book for the age recommended. It will teach children that it is not okay to make fun of someone and you should treat others how you would like to be treated, because it will come back on you. I enjoyed reading Blubber, by Judy Blume. I could not put this book down. I did however want more toward the ending and this book could have ended differently with Jill getting what she deserved. Overall its a must read!

Rating:
Summary: Blubber
Review: This story is about a girl named Jill. She was sitting in a classroom listening to a girl named Linda Fisher start talking about whales and how to keep warm by their fat called blubber. So that's when it all started.
The kids kept calling her Blubber and they've been doing mean and rotten things to her. they tease her and torment her. they call her a smelly whale and blubber. they do really really mean things to her.
this is a really good book and its a page turning book and it wants you to read on and on.