Review: Judy Blume Forever
by Karen Pecota

USA | 2022 Directors: Davina Pardo & Leah Wolchok

Judy Blume, renowned author of over twenty-nine books written to adolescents and teens for over 50 years, about what it means to grow up, celebrates the 50th Anniversary of one of her infamous tales, "Are You There God It's Me Margaret?". In April of 2023, the movie version, under the same name, will appear in theaters. Emmy-winning filmmakers Davina Pardo and Leah Wolchok are the first to journey with the author as she shares her own coming-of-age story in JUDY BLUME FOREVER. In accompaniment are testimonials of friends, colleagues and celebrities forever grateful to Blume for being a true trailblazer to help millions understand themselves and their sexuality.

Many generations of young people have been comforted as well as enlightened, under Blume's tutelage as they’ve walked through the awkwardness of growing up. Blume's books are frank about puberty and sex, often at the center of controversy. Blume confronts questions and concerns about the changes in our bodies as we grow from childhood to curious teens, and then to maturing adults. Blume's storytelling is relatable using fact, humor and creative ideas to generate a safe place to read, to listen and learn.

Now in the Yale Library Archives are the thousands of letters written to Judy over the years from children and teens who are now adults. Blume responded to every letter over the years. Blume says, "I served as a diary for a lot of those kids. Two of the women in the movie, Lorrie and Karen, I've corresponded with since they were young girls."

In JUDY BLUME FOREVER, Pardo and Wolchok explore this question, "How did Judy Blume become the fairy godmother who embraces our imperfections, validates our innermost thoughts, and illuminates what we don't understand about ourselves and others?" Blume's personal story, now an open book, gives insight to how she transformed, in her own words, as a "Fearful anxious child that grows up into a badass woman."

When I observe Blume in the documentary, I can't visualize her as a badass. Attractive is her energy, grace, beauty, kindness and transparency; but she is a fighter and stands-up for what she believes in, often to the detriment of unjust ridicule and criticism. In that sense, the badass name fits Blume. She’s tough and resilient. Pardo and Wolchok note that Blume's story is a "Feminist coming-of-age story about a woman who, in finding her voice through writing, changed her own life and the lives of generations of readers."