Podcast appearances and mentions of Judy Blume

Mark Oppenheimer spent decades thinking about Judy Blume before finally writing her biography — and the result is a book that is a serious inquiry into Blume's books, her personal story, and social and cultural dynamics of the 80-plus years in which she has lived. In this conversation, we talk about what it meant to be a boy who loved Judy Blume, why realist fiction for young people has largely given way to fantasy, and how Blume's work stirred up controversy even though she never courted it herself. Paying subscribers to The Unspeakeasy on Subtack can hear an extra long version of this conversation. Go to https://www.theunspeakablepodcast.com/subscribe to join or upgrade your subscription.  Guest bio: Mark Oppenheimer is a journalist, academic, and the author of several books including Squirrel Hill, about the 2018 Tree of Life synagogue shooting. His new biography, Judy Blume: A Life, is out now.

Here's to You, Rachel Robinson, de Judy Blume, est paru en français sous le titre Tiens bon, Rachel !. Un roman publié à l'origine en 1993, et qui mérite aujourd'hui d'être redécouvert À l'occasion de sa sortie en français à l'école des loisirs.On parle souvent de Judy Blume comme d'une immense autrice pour la jeunesse américaine. Une écrivaine qui a accompagné plusieurs générations d'adolescents avec une qualité rare : celle de prendre leurs émotions au sérieux. Avec Rachel Robinson, elle signe peut-être son roman le plus subtil...

Highlights including: Estonian prime minister Kristen Michal on the threat from Russia; musical legend Jack White discusses his new exhibition; and writer Judy Blume raises concerns over book bans in the US.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Send us Fan MailIn this episode our stack of books is tied together with the common theme of Celebrating Judy Blume.  We have books written by Blume and also books written about her.  Either way you are invited to the party!Featured Books:The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us by Rachelle Bergstein (LH)Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume (LH)Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer (LP)Otherwise Known as Judy the Great: A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume by Selina Alko (LP)Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume (LP)Books Mentioned in This Episode:Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy BlumeForever by Judy BlumeFudge by Judy BlumeWifey by Judy BlumeTiger Eyes by Judy BlumeDeenie by Judy BlumeBlubber by Judy BlumeAdditional Books That Go Along with Our Stack:Iggie's House by Judy BlumeDouble Fudge by Judy BlumeLetters to Judy by Judy BlumeSummer Sisters by Judy BlumeWays to contact us:Join us on Patreon for extra content: https://www.patreon.com/c/BookBumblePodcastFollow us on Instagram - @thebookbumbleFacebook:  Book BumbleOur website:  https://thebookbumble.buzzsprout.comEmail:  bookbumblepodcast@gmail.comSupport the showPlease rate and review us, subscribe, follow us on Insta, and join our Team Patreon!  It won't be the same without you!

Georgina Godwin meets award-winning writer Judy Blume at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival. She shares career moments and her thoughts on the future of literary works in the US in the current political climate.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Battle of the Roses and Gophers commences! Also, my weekend at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival and what I learned about writing from listening to Susan Orlean. Goodreads Giveaway for AMONG THE THORNS goes May 4-25. Enter here. https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/431710-among-the-thornsIndie Booksellers! You can buy my indie books direct from me at discount!! Submit a Request for an order hereNew Releases ~Love, Lies, and Ley LinesMAGIC REBORNNever The RosesPreorder ~Among The ThornsBlades, Books, and the BanditSocials ~ @jeffe_kennedy on all platforms :)Upcoming Events ~Tuscon Festival of Books is March 14th-15th this year! See you there! https://tucsonfestivalofbooks.orgFollow me on Amazon or BookBubThe posture correcting sports bra I love almost more than life itself can be found hereThank you for listening! You all take care. Support the show

Hey besties! Today Neely and Kailey chat about all things Nostalgia because really they don’t make them like they used to. From TV and movies, to books, and even Lisa Frank. Bring the 90s back please and thank you!  Podcast Instagram: @bigyapenergyPodcast TikTok: @smutshowpodcastJoin our Facebook group! Become a Patreon subscriber!Shop anything mentioned Connect with Neely:Instagram: @neelykins TikTok: @neelymoldovanGoodreads Substack Connect with Kailey:InstagramGoodreads

We are so proud to have these two amazing women and authors on this episode.  Barbara is the author of fifteen middle school books including her latest, Nothing to See Here, which will be released in October.  Amanda released her first book, That Librarian, in response to the attacks that librarians are being subjected to in the current book banning frenzy around the country.   They discuss how books and reading shaped their lives, being trained in public speaking, how they talk non-stop to their friends about books, and the importance of internet safety.  You'll have to listen to find out what happened when a very large iced tea spilled onto a surge protector three seconds before going on live tv... ​  

Her funny and frank books for kids, tweens, teens and young adults have sold more than 90 million copies worldwide, resulting in a loyal, multigenerational fandom. So how did Judy Blume, a mother and homemaker, become one of the most successful and beloved children's authors in history? Author Mark Oppenheimer chronicles her life and career in his new biography, “Judy Blume.” It's our May selection for Bookmarked: The "Under the Radar" Book Club.RSVP to our FREE event at Molly's Bookstore in Allston with author Tara Menon! https://bit.ly/utrtaramenon

I had weird reading habits when I was a kid. For one thing, no one ever told me that there were certain books that boys should read, and certain books that girls should read, and that there was a mechitza (a barrier in a traditional synagogue that separates the sexes) between the two of them. What did I know? That was how I came to devour the entire Harriet the Spy series. Because, well, I liked spies. And then, there was Judy Blume, born Judith Sussman, in 1938. Judy Blume is one of the most important Jewish writers of the twentieth century. Judy Blume? The lady who wrote about training bras and embarrassing gym classes? Yes, that Judy Blume. OK, she's not Philip Roth or Saul Bellow, or Cynthia Ozick. And, yes, the "serious" literary establishment never really invited her into their club. They might have been wrong. Mark Oppenheimer has just published the definitive biography of Blume: Judy Blume: A Life. As I read the biography, and as I reflected on my podcast interview with Mark, I kept thinking: someone needs to make the Jewish case for Judy Blume. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on From the Front Porch, Annie recaps the books she read and loved in April. You get 10% off your books when you order your April Reading Recap bundle. Each month, we offer a Reading Recap bundle, which features Annie's favorite books she read that month. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 579), or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app: Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer (releases June 9) Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson (releases June 30) Down with the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore (releases June 2) Everything That Is Beautiful by Louise Nealon (releases August 4) The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai Make Nice by Ryan Effgen (releases July 14) Famesick by Lena Dunham The Half Life by Rachel Beanland (releases July 14) Judy Blume by Mark Oppenheimer   April Reading Recap Bundle  - $76 Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney  The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai   Judy Blume by Mark Oppenheimer   From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. This week, Annie is reading Monster of a Land by Lauren Hough. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Ashley Ferrell, Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Gene Queens, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, and Wendi Jenkins.  

This week on From the Front Porch, it's a Literary Therapy session! Our literary Frasier Crane, Annie, is back to answer more of your reading questions and dilemmas. If you have a question you would like Annie to answer in a future episode, you can leave us a voicemail here. To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, stop by The Bookshelf in Thomasville, visit our website (search episode 578) or download and shop on The Bookshelf's official app. Anonymous Voicemail: Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin (backordered) Love by the Book by Jessica George Ordinary People by Diana Evans At the Pond by Margaret Drabble Anonymous Voicemail: Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman This is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder Before I Forget by Tory Henwood Hoen The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell Caroline Theo of Golden by Allen Levi Britt-Marie Was Here by Fredrik Backman Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevins The Best of Everything by Rona Jaffe Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Jeanette Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Time of the Child by Niall Williams Diary of a Country Priest by George Bernanos Wise Blood by Flannery O'Connor Gilead by Marilynne Robinson The Supper of the Lamb by Robert Farrar Capon A Place at the Table by Susan Rebecca White Ordinary Time by Catherine Rentzenbrink Empire Falls by Richard Russo Tales of a Country Parish by Colin Heber-Percy Even After Everything by Stephanie Duncan Smith The Irrational Season by Madeline L'Engle and Graham Greene Trudy The Mothers by Brit Bennett This Is Where I Leave You byJonathan Tropper Flight by Lynn Steger Strong Commonwealth by Ann Patchett Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane Mercury by Amy Jo Burns Red at the Bone by Jacqueline Woodson Like Family by Erin White  Family Trust by Kathy Wang From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in South Georgia. You can follow The Bookshelf's daily happenings on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook, and all the books from today's episode can be purchased online through our store website, www.bookshelfthomasville.com.  A full transcript of today's episode can be found here. Special thanks to Dylan and his team at Studio D Podcast Production for sound and editing and for our theme music, which sets the perfect warm and friendly tone for our Thursday conversations. This week, Annie is listening to Judy Blume by Mark Oppenheimer. If you liked what you heard in today's episode, tell us by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. You can also support us on Patreon, where you can access bonus content, monthly live Porch Visits with Annie, our monthly live Patreon Book Club with Bookshelf staffers, Conquer a Classic episodes with Hunter, and more. Just go to patreon.com/fromthefrontporch. We're so grateful for you, and we look forward to meeting back here next week. Our Executive Producers are...Ashley Ferrell, Beth, Cammy Tidwell, Gene Queens, Jammie Treadwell, Joseph Shorter IV, Kimberly, Linda Lee Drozt, Nicole Marsee, Stephanie Dean, and Wendi Jenkins.

Meg and Jessica revisit their tween angst by diving into Judy Blume's iconic tale about periods, boobs, and God.Please check out our website, follow us on Instagram, on Facebook, and...WRITE US A REVIEW HEREWe'd LOVE to hear from you! Let us know if you have any ideas for stories HEREThank you for listening!Love,Meg and Jessica

Emily Bazelon talks with journalist Mark Oppenheimer about his new bookJudy Blume: A Life. Oppenheimer, who spent years with Blume's papers atYale and conducted extensive interviews with the author herself, traceshow a restless housewife in New Jersey became one of the mostbeloved—and most banned—writers in American history.They discuss what made Blume's frank, funny voice so revolutionary foryoung readers in the 1970s, the surprisingly progressive household thatshaped her, and the genius of Forever, her landmark novel in whichteenage sex is depicted as pleasurable rather than catastrophic. Theyalso dig into the scandalous adult novel Wifey, Blume's doggedpersistence through rejection, and her tireless championing of otherwriters' right to be read.Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com.(Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulatesotherwise.)Podcast production by Nina Porzucki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily Bazelon talks with journalist Mark Oppenheimer about his new bookJudy Blume: A Life. Oppenheimer, who spent years with Blume's papers atYale and conducted extensive interviews with the author herself, traceshow a restless housewife in New Jersey became one of the mostbeloved—and most banned—writers in American history.They discuss what made Blume's frank, funny voice so revolutionary foryoung readers in the 1970s, the surprisingly progressive household thatshaped her, and the genius of Forever, her landmark novel in whichteenage sex is depicted as pleasurable rather than catastrophic. Theyalso dig into the scandalous adult novel Wifey, Blume's doggedpersistence through rejection, and her tireless championing of otherwriters' right to be read.Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com.(Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulatesotherwise.)Podcast production by Nina Porzucki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily Bazelon talks with journalist Mark Oppenheimer about his new bookJudy Blume: A Life. Oppenheimer, who spent years with Blume's papers atYale and conducted extensive interviews with the author herself, traceshow a restless housewife in New Jersey became one of the mostbeloved—and most banned—writers in American history.They discuss what made Blume's frank, funny voice so revolutionary foryoung readers in the 1970s, the surprisingly progressive household thatshaped her, and the genius of Forever, her landmark novel in whichteenage sex is depicted as pleasurable rather than catastrophic. Theyalso dig into the scandalous adult novel Wifey, Blume's doggedpersistence through rejection, and her tireless championing of otherwriters' right to be read.Tweet us your questions @SlateGabfest or email us at gabfest@slate.com.(Messages could be quoted by name unless the writer stipulatesotherwise.)Podcast production by Nina Porzucki. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few authors have impacted young readers' lives as much as Judy Blume. Her beloved books are frank about puberty, sex and the messiness of growing up. Alicia Cox Thomson and Brian Francis, two lifelong Judy Blume fans join the show to talk about their recent reading of Judy Blume: A Life by Mark Oppenheimer, and the impact Judy Blume has had on their reading lives. Plus, author Janie Chang answers The Next Chapter's Proust questionnaire. Books discussed on this week's show include:Judy Blume: A Life by Mark OppenheimerThe Fourth Princess by Janie Chang Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and TikTok @cbcbooks

Today on The Gist, Mike is joined by Mark Oppenheimer to discuss his new book, Judy Blume, A Life. They dive into how Blume essentially invented middle-grade realism, her astronomical dominance of the book market in the '70s and '80s, and how she served as the perfect proxy for parents who were just too uncomfortable to have "the talk" with their kids. Plus, they explore the one messy topic the famously open author absolutely refused to discuss with her biographer. In the Spiel, Mike analyzes former Surgeon General Jerome Adams's recent comments on Face the Nation, pulling the latest CDC and AMA stats to see if the U.S. is still technically in an opioid epidemic. Produced by Corey Wara Video and Social Media by Geoff Craig Do you have questions or comments, or just want to say hello? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thegist@mikepesca.com For full Pesca content and updates, check out our website at https://www.mikepesca.com/⁠ For ad-free content or to become a Pesca Plus subscriber, check out ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ For Mike's daily takes on Substack, subscribe to The Gist List https://mikepesca.substack.com/ Follow us on Social Media:⁠⁠⁠⁠ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4_bh0wHgk2YfpKf4rg40_g⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pescagist/ X https://x.com/pescami TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@pescagist To advertise on the show, contact ⁠⁠⁠⁠sales@amplitudemediaparters.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The new biography Judy Blume: A Life chronicles the life and career of the beloved children's book author. Biographer Mark Oppenheimer discusses Blume's career in Hollywood, and how she embraced social media, in today's installment of our series Full Bio. Photo by Johnny Louis/WireImage via Getty

The new biography Judy Blume: A Life chronicles the life and career of the beloved children's book author. Biographer Mark Oppenheimer discusses Blume's early marriage and motherhood, and how they helped shape her professional life, in today's installment of our series Full Bio. Photo by Oliver Morris/Getty Images

The new biography Judy Blume: A Life chronicles the life and career of the beloved children's book author. Biographer Mark Oppenheimer discusses the book, and his complex relationship with his subject, in today's installment of our series Full Bio. Photo by J. Smestad via Getty

On episode 162, I'm visited by biographer Mark Oppenheimer, author of Judy Blume: A Life. We discuss our favorite Judy Blume books, Blume's captivating draw as an author and we share some favorite book recommendations. This episode is sponsored by Fangs of Fate by Rebecca Parcha. Click here to listen to the audiobook. Books Recommended:The Director by Daniel Kehlmann translatedCursed Bread by Sophie McKintoshAir Guitar: Essays on Art and Democracy by Dave HickeyThe Optimists by Brian PlatzerLake Effect: A Memoir by Rich Cohen Find Mark Oppenheimer on Substack I'm giving away a month-long giveaway to my online book club in April where we will be reading Lauren Groff's Brawler. Click here to enter. I will be returning to the Culver City Book Festival on Sunday March 29th from 10 - 5 pm. I'll be signing books, selling upcycled journals made out of books, selling original art and Books Are My People coffee mugs and stickers, which you can always purchase here. Come say hi if you're in the area!Purchase Books Are My People swag here. Charlotte Woods The Natural Way of THings Giveaway linkup open closes 3/31. I will contact a winner on April 1st. This giveaway is open to US mailing addresses only. Thank you to Riverhead Books for sponsoring this giveaway.Click here to enter.Registration for my gelli printing class in Santa Monica is open. If you happen to be local, please join me for a four-week beginning gelli printing class at the Brentwood Art Center in Santa Monica! Click here for more information. We will have so much fun exploring printmaking and maybe even side chatting about books. Support the showGet your Books Are My People merch here!I hope you all have a wonderfully bookish week! 

Odysseys 3/23/26: Tara Brewster & Susan Nicastro: Big Brothers/ Big Sisters & karaoke at the Iron Horse. Akemi Kochiyama-Ladson, Co-Director, Yuri Kochiyama Solidarity Project: resilience & resistance. Megan Zinn w/ Mark Oppenheimer on “Judy Blume, a Life.” Ellen Meeropol, on “Sometimes an Island.” Amherst Town Mgr Paul Bockelman: his Executive Order on immigration enforcement.

Odysseys 3/23/26: Tara Brewster & Susan Nicastro: Big Brothers/ Big Sisters & karaoke at the Iron Horse. Akemi Kochiyama-Ladson, Co-Director, Yuri Kochiyama Solidarity Project: resilience & resistance. Megan Zinn w/ Mark Oppenheimer on “Judy Blume, a Life.” Ellen Meeropol, on “Sometimes an Island.” Amherst Town Mgr Paul Bockelman: his Executive Order on immigration enforcement.

Odysseys 3/23/26: Tara Brewster & Susan Nicastro: Big Brothers/ Big Sisters & karaoke at the Iron Horse. Akemi Kochiyama-Ladson, Co-Director, Yuri Kochiyama Solidarity Project: resilience & resistance. Megan Zinn w/ Mark Oppenheimer on “Judy Blume, a Life.” Ellen Meeropol, on “Sometimes an Island.” Amherst Town Mgr Paul Bockelman: his Executive Order on immigration enforcement.

Odysseys 3/23/26: Tara Brewster & Susan Nicastro: Big Brothers/ Big Sisters & karaoke at the Iron Horse. Akemi Kochiyama-Ladson, Co-Director, Yuri Kochiyama Solidarity Project: resilience & resistance. Megan Zinn w/ Mark Oppenheimer on “Judy Blume, a Life.” Ellen Meeropol, on “Sometimes an Island.” Amherst Town Mgr Paul Bockelman: his Executive Order on immigration enforcement.

Odysseys 3/23/26: Tara Brewster & Susan Nicastro: Big Brothers/ Big Sisters & karaoke at the Iron Horse. Akemi Kochiyama-Ladson, Co-Director, Yuri Kochiyama Solidarity Project: resilience & resistance. Megan Zinn w/ Mark Oppenheimer on “Judy Blume, a Life.” Ellen Meeropol, on “Sometimes an Island.” Amherst Town Mgr Paul Bockelman: his Executive Order on immigration enforcement.

A six-episode show to cleasne the bing-watching pallet? Why yes, the girls did love it. So much you could say it did steal their hearts. In this episode, Amanda and Maggie talk about Judy Blume, McDonalds nuggets vs Jack in the Box tacos as a currency comparision, and whether or not they could actually pull off a heist like this. They discuss the logistics of hiding the digital money card, whether or not they could pull this off, even when there are shards of glass in the way, and how much guilt would consume them (if any) if they stumbled into $20 million and didn't give it all away!  Hey, if you liked this episode and you love this show, don't forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review. They're not trying to steal reviews, they want to come by it honestly. :) 

In this 45-minute presentation, I walk through five beliefs about the science of reading. The intent is to spark curiosity and encourage conversation. Watch this presentation in tandem with my free eBook What School Leaders Need to Know About the Science of Reading. Use these resources as a starting point for holding much-needed discussions in your school around effective literacy instruction. If you would like support with facilitating this type of conversation, don't hesitate to get in touch with me here.Take care,MattP.S. Join me for the next professional learning event: a conversation with Dr. Kelly Cartwright, author of Executive Skills and Reading Comprehension: A Guide for Educators.Full TranscriptWhat School Leaders Need to Know About the Science of ReadingTranscript of a presentation based on the free ebook resource available to download.About MeHi, I'm Matt Renwick. I'm sharing this presentation: What School Leaders Need to Know About the Science of Reading, based on the free ebook resource available to download.A little bit about myself. I'm a father of two teens and a husband to Jodi, who is also a teacher. My son is currently in college — whenever I visit, I try to find something fun for us to do together. My daughter is a junior in high school. I'm also a very part-time bookseller at an independent bookstore in my hometown. This is our dog, Millie. She works Sundays with me and is excellent at her job. And one of the things I most enjoy is visiting national parks. My most recent trip was to the Rocky Mountains for a mountain biking trip — though I'll admit I'm not a big fan of heights, so I drove the rest of the party up to the trailhead and cheered them on from there.Starting With a BookI want to begin by referencing a book — not reading it aloud, but using it as a frame. It's called Duck! Rabbit! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld. You may have seen it. It uses an optical illusion — is it a duck or a rabbit? One person sees a duck; another sees a rabbit.I've found this book especially useful for lowering the emotional temperature when we start talking about the science of reading. After reading it aloud, I typically invite a group to pause and reflect on these three questions:* When we debate reading instruction, are we arguing about what's best for kids — or about who's right?* Where in your work do you notice people looking at the same data and seeing completely different things?* What would it take for you to genuinely consider a perspective on reading instruction that you've resisted?If you're watching this with a group, I'd encourage you to pause here and have a conversation.How This Resource Got StartedThe impetus for this presentation came from a colleague who was supporting a new administrator. This new administrator was already getting inundated with requests for evidence-based workbooks and heavily phonics-focused resources. She reached out and asked me to share my take on the science of reading with this administrator.Here's what I shared in an email:First, reading instruction is complex. It's not a simple equation you can plug resources into and expect to produce readers.Second, science requires inquiry, not dogma. If a field is a true science, it will continue to conduct research, look at what's working and what's not, and reevaluate its philosophies in light of new evidence.Third, multiple sciences of reading matter. We can't just look at cognitive science. We also have to look at the science of engagement, the science of motivation, the science of efficacy, and the science of goal setting. These all matter.Fourth, authentic texts should support skill development. A lot of resources strip away rich, relevant text in service of isolated skill practice — and we know that doesn't work.Fifth, programs do not equal responsive instruction. I've heard this called “solutionitis” — the idea that buying a program will automatically raise reading scores. We know that's not the case.I sent that email and waited a few weeks without hearing back. I eventually reached out to my colleague and learned the administrator had left the position. My first assumption was that the complexity of the topic had scared them off — but actually, they'd landed a dream job. Still, the experience got me thinking about all the new administrators coming into these roles without much background in this area. That's what I want to address through both this presentation and the ebook.My Beliefs — A DisclaimerWhat follows is based on my current beliefs, grounded not just in my own experience but also in research and in conversations with colleagues who know more than I do in certain areas. These beliefs are evolving. I hold them with humility.Belief 1: Teaching Reading Is Not SimpleThere's been a lot of conversation lately about the “simple view of reading.” I'd argue that teaching reading is anything but simple. It takes a long time to become highly skilled at teaching readers.I recently came across a New York Times article titled “Kids Rarely Read Whole Books Anymore — Even in English Class.” I found it striking because when I taught fifth and sixth graders 25 years ago, we were reading multiple novels a year as a class. Then we moved away from that — toward anthology series, excerpts, comprehension questions, skill packets. I'm not saying whole-class novel study is a best practice across the board. But it's worth asking: we introduced all these programs, and the result is that kids aren't reading books anymore. How do we find the balance — where resources support instruction without becoming the curriculum? As Peter Afflerbach likes to say: How do we teach readers, not just reading?The Simple View of Reading — from Gough and Tunmer — reads like an equation: decoding + language comprehension = reading. There's research that supports this. The problem is that it's incomplete. It doesn't account for all the other ways kids become readers.One of the biggest promoters of this simplified narrative has been Emily Hanford's Sold a Story podcast. I counted the transcripts of the first eight episodes: phonics is mentioned 48 times, comprehension 10 times, and engagement 0 times. You can see how media shapes the public's understanding of reading instruction — and how that narrative flows into legislation. Wisconsin's Act 20, for example, is heavily phonics-focused. Some of the assessments it prioritizes, like oral reading fluency, can be useful indicators — but they don't even measure comprehension.An Active View of Reading — introduced by Duke and Cartwright — is what I promote instead. It still values word recognition and language comprehension, but adds important components: bridging processes (print concepts, fluency, vocabulary knowledge), and active self-regulation (motivation, engagement, executive functioning, strategy use). These aren't extras — they're prerequisites for students to become highly effective, engaged readers. Notably, this is a reader model, not a reading model. It recognizes that reading is also shaped by the texts we choose, the tasks we design, and sociocultural context — including diverse authorship, representation, and the absence of bias.A practical implication: expand your assessments. As a principal and teacher, I learned that what we measure is what matters. Right-to-read legislation may mandate oral reading fluency screening, and that's fine — but we can also look at attendance and behavior as root causes, consider whether language barriers rather than reading skill are the real challenge for some students, and include teacher observations and student voice. Think about what it means to take a fuller picture of a reader.Belief 2: The Science Is Anything But SettledI once posted this on Twitter:“I don't know who needs to hear this. Teaching a literacy curriculum program like a script, lesson by lesson, to all kids without considering their current interests, abilities, and needs is not scientific, drains the joy out of learning, and leads to inequities.”It got significant engagement — many positive responses, but also real pushback. Someone at the higher ed level responded that teachers actually love the script because it gives them structure. I understand that perspective. But the insistence that the science is settled — and that it's simply a matter of implementing the right program — is not only factually wrong; it's intellectually closed.Notice even the language: the science of reading. That definite article is essentialist, exclusive — like “the Olympic Games” or “The Ohio State University.” If you're for the science of reading, you believe X. If you don't, you're outside the movement. People have been pushed to the margins of these communities simply for raising questions. That doesn't feel very scientific.Any professional field that considers itself a science goes through paradigm shifts — a concept introduced by Thomas Kuhn. Normal science gives way to anomalies, then to a model crisis, then to revolution, then to a new paradigm. Copernicus gave us one example. I believe reading instruction is stuck in the model crisis — cycling through the same debates without genuine revolution. We can't change the whole profession, but we can make progress locally.One approach I've found effective: use professional journal articles to facilitate conversation — not to prove a point, but to create space for educators to engage with ideas. Rachel Gabriel's article “The Sciences of Reading Instruction” is a good one. It's balanced, uses helpful metaphors, and raises productive questions.Pair it with shared agreements (I use: stay engaged, experience discomfort, speak your truth, expect and accept non-closure) and a dialogue protocol — like the 4As — to make sure all voices get space, not just the loudest ones.Belief 3: Good Intentions Can Lead to Inequitable OutcomesWisconsin's Act 20 — our right-to-read law — was written in July 2023. Like many state laws of its kind, its language has been heavily influenced by certain think tanks, commercial providers, and media figures. It requires science-based early reading instruction, mandates universal screening and intervention systems, restricts certain curriculum approaches (no three-cueing in core reading curriculum starting in 2024–25), and requires professional development around structured literacy for K–3 teachers, principals, and reading specialists.There are also third-grade promotion policies. In some states — Ohio, Florida, Mississippi — students who are not deemed proficient can be retained. Up to a third of an entire third-grade cohort in some cases. The long-term effects of that are deeply concerning.I share this because I do believe most people involved in this legislation want kids to perform better. But good intentions can produce inequitable outcomes when:* Single scores become students' identities* A student who scored at the 24th percentile versus the 25th percentile on an ORF assessment receives a personal reading plan and a letter home — without anyone asking whether they had a rough night, or whether they still see themselves as a strong reader* We do things to students rather than with them, stripping away agency and voiceWhat I've observed as this movement plays out in schools: more scripted curricula, limits on responsive instruction, isolated skill practice, decontextualized text, and assessments that measure only what's easy to measure. The downstream effects include the removal of voice and choice, classroom and school libraries collecting dust, independent reading squeezed out, teacher professionalism diminished, and authentic tasks like project-based learning deprioritized.One counter-move: empower students to curate and organize their classroom or school library. This can be an ongoing project — lay the books out, let students decide the organization, identify gaps, and bring in culturally relevant titles. Use book order points and let kids choose. You'll see more engagement, more reading, and you'll free up some of your own time in the process.Belief 4: One Science Is Dependent on AnotherI was recently working with a team discussing teacher beliefs and their role in effective reading instruction. I posed this question: Imagine your principal removed all the core ELA resources from every classroom. Could your teachers still teach their students?After a pause, the group said — yeah, we could.So what would that look like?And that's when the real conversation started.I raise this because critics of the science of reading movement have pointed out that proponents often can't articulate a coherent theory. “Sequential and explicit direct instruction” is a process, not a theory. What's the actual theory of action for teaching readers? That question matters.One answer is an instructional model that allows teachers to be responsive. I've used Regie Routman's Optimal Learning Model from Literacy Essentials in two schools as a principal. What I like about it is the arrows going both directions — we move between whole-class demonstration, shared practice, guided reading, and independent reading based on real-time, informal assessment. If kids aren't ready, we go back. This takes significant professional development to build capacity, but it also inoculates schools against scripted program dependency.The larger point is this: teaching readers well requires holding multiple sciences in tension simultaneously. Cognitive science — comprehension, decoding, fluency. Affective science — motivation, engagement, identity. Metacognitive science — goal setting, self-efficacy, agency. These don't operate in isolation. When you weave them together — for example, using a classroom library project that builds both reading identity and cognitive engagement — you see real growth.How to build this knowledge in your staff: As a principal, I had to build my own curriculum. I subscribed to several journals — I didn't read every article, but I'd browse the table of contents, pull one article, read it with margin notes, and then summarize it in my Friday staff newsletter, linking to the original. I became an information distiller. That made it possible to walk into a classroom and have a research-grounded conversation with a teacher who held strong views — not as an expert telling them what's right, but as a colleague asking questions. What did you think about that article on Orton-Gillingham? It becomes a much more objective, productive exchange.Belief 5: You Can't Buy the Science of ReadingThis became real to me as a principal when a reading recovery interventionist was trying to get a first-grade student to come to his sessions. Reading Recovery is a highly evidence-based intervention — but she couldn't get him to come. We suspected executive functioning challenges and a history of reading struggle that made being singled out feel threatening.So she brought in a Venus flytrap. She told the student: if you come to my room, you get to feed it one fly.Eventually, I walked in, and there was a pile of dead flies next to the plant. This student had started bringing his own food supply. The teacher had to explain that they couldn't overfeed it. What started as external motivation — a Venus flytrap — gradually shifted toward internal, identity-forming reinforcement. She had the student, after reaching a benchmark, choose a few books he actually wanted to read. That was the celebration.You can't legislate this. You can't buy it. It's built over time through teachers developing deep knowledge — not just of reading, but of kids, of pedagogy, of motivation and engagement, of executive function, of the ways all these strands weave together into a reader's identity. It takes sustained investment in self-study and collective growth.This shakes out in school-level data as well. As a principal, I used to look at statewide scores and identify schools similar to mine demographically — Title I schools — that were doing better. Then I'd cold-call their principals and reading specialists and ask: what are you doing?Four themes emerged:* High expectations for every student. Inclusion was the default. Intervention was carefully integrated with Tier 1, not siloed.* Sustained investment in teachers. Not cutting PD days. Not just buying a program and saying good luck. Actually coaching and developing teachers over time.* Different programs, shared beliefs. Every school used something different — some used Units of Study, some used anthologies, one had developed their own materials. What they shared was a deep commitment to common beliefs and practices. One principal described respectfully but clearly inviting a teacher who wouldn't get on board to find a better fit elsewhere.* No superheroes. No one teacher stood out as exceptional. What they had was a willingness to have hard conversations and an evolving, collective commitment to what they knew to be effective.One practical strategy: develop shared beliefs as a staff. I used Regie Routman's Read, Write, Lead, which includes over 20 belief statements. Each year I'd put them in a Google form — agree or disagree. The first year, we had two shared beliefs. We celebrated. The next year, we focused our professional development on the areas of disagreement. The year after that, we had five. And we kept growing.As a principal, I could then walk into classrooms and reference those shared commitments — affirming what I saw that was aligned, and asking honest questions when something was missing. The expectations were clear. The conversations were respectful.You can also do this as a whole-group activity: post belief statements on chart paper, give staff colored dots, and ask them to place their dots on a spectrum from agree to disagree. Then have them talk about why. This builds not just shared beliefs but perspective-taking — recognizing that most people sit somewhere in the middle, and that the goal is to move together toward greater alignment over time.ClosingI want to close with a student I remember from third grade — a kid who by second grade saw reading as something you do in school, not something you love. A capable reader, but not a joyful one.In third grade, his teacher read aloud Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume. He related to Peter Hatcher — oldest of three boys, with a younger sibling who was like Fudge. He read and re-read that book until the pages were falling out of his copy. He loved it so much that he wrote some not-so-great fan fiction trying to emulate Judy Blume.If you look closely at the bottom left of the fan fiction — you can see my name there.That's how I became a reader. Not through a script. I'm sure I learned some skills in kindergarten and first grade. But what unlocked reading for me — what helped me see myself as a reader and to love it — was one read-aloud by one teacher who knew her students and knew what would turn them on to reading.Closing question: How do you choose to see your readers? Take a moment to think about how you're seeing them now — and how you might choose to see them a little differently tomorrow.Thank you for watching What School Leaders Need to Know About the Science of Reading. Please reach out if you have any questions. And thank you for your work, your leadership, and your readership. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readbyexample.substack.com/subscribe

For 55 years Judy Blume's work has done something revolutionary, rewire the world's expectation of what literature for young people can be. It can be frank, it can be candid, earthy, and unafraid to show the messier sides of humanity. However, there is very little known about the real woman behind the persona of Judy Blume and the unlikely journey of her literary ascension. Mark will be at the Odyssey Bookshop in South Hadley MA, on 3/24 at 7 pm.

Jeff and Rebecca try to read the tea-leaves from Judy Blume's biography silence, ACOTAR rights reversion, and more of the week's book news. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Judy Blume is declining to comment on Mark Oppenheimer's new biography of her That ACOTAR series is really never going to happen Sarah Polley is directing an adaptation of The Bell Jar starring Billie Eilish New CEO of S & S announced 10,000 authors publish empty book to protest AI This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judy Blume is one of the most beloved and influential authors of the last century, whose books, including Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret., Forever, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Summer Sisters, have helped generations of readers navigate growing up. In this conversation from May 2025, Blume sits down with Jenna at Books & Books in Key West, the nonprofit independent bookstore she co-founded, to reflect on a career that spans 29 books, more than 92 million copies sold and translations in 40 languages. Plus, she opens up about her creative process, her connection to readers and the legacy she continues to build. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bryan and David are here to discuss another busy news week. They start with another departure at CBS News, a New York Times piece about Judy Blume (5:56), and Stephen A. Smith on Sean Hannity's podcast (18:09). They wrap up by discussing Trump's changing message on the war in Iran (26:01). Then in the Notebook Dump, Bryan is joined by The Ringer's Howard Beck in another edition of Tales From the Locker Room. Howard tells stories about covering Shaq and Kobe(45:42), getting U2 tickets from Rick Fox (1:19:24), and much more. Plus, the Overworked Twitter Joke of the Week, and David Shoemaker Guesses the Strained-Pun Headline! Hosts: Bryan Curtis and David ShoemakerGuest: Howard BeckProducers: Bruce Baldwin and Isaiah Blakely Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In Mark Oppenheimer's new biography about Judy Blume, he reveals a number of surprising things, so much that I kept leaning over to my kids as I read going, “Did you know…” What the former “Unorthodox” podcast host really did was paint a portrait of one of the consummate literary leading ladies of our time. A must devour. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby's Important People! As a Z.I.P., you'll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby's Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many of us grew up reading classics from the great Judy Blume, from Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret to Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Blume, now in her eighties, is famous for writing about childhood and adolescence with humour and heart. This week, our guest on the program has published a remarkable book documenting her life story.Mark Oppenheimer is an American journalist and author. He's the editor of the online religion and politics magazine ARC. His latest book is Judy Blume: A Life.You can find Tara Henley on Twitter at @TaraRHenley, and on Substack at tarahenley.substack.com

Let's march into the season of GREEN!  As the time change springs us forward, some of us are kicking and screaming while some are rejoicing, Kate and Sheila recap books with GREEN in the title. There's the obvious Green Eggs and Ham and Anne of Green Gables but we wanted to give a shoutout to some undervalued titles. The GREEN Ember series really can grow us not just as readers but as people!  It represents the battle of good vs evil and nudges us to do good. Loyalty, bravery and love are depicted in impactful ways inspiring readers to live with intention! Here is the link for the full episode of Green Ember.Ruth and the GREEN Book is a picture book that packs a powerful punch. It transports readers back to a turbulent time in our country's past and shows a solid solution for an unbelievably sad problem that many might not even realize existed.The Last GREEN Valley by Mark Sullivan takes readers back to March of 1944. Here's a quote that gives us something to think about before we complain about those windy days.“Emil (he's in a prison camp) had learned to cherish the wind. Even the thought of it blowing against his skin was enough for him to survive the nights.” After he got out…”He'd survived the worst that life could throw at him, and those trials had changed him, made him stronger and humbler and more aware of the power of dreams and the magic of life all around him. He appreciated every sunrise and every sunset and was grateful to the Almighty for every gift he was given in between.” This book will GROW you!!!Kate ended the podcast on a lighter note with one of her favorites from childhood, The One in the Middle is the GREEN Kangaroo. This small chapter book written by Judy Blume back in 1969 speaks to all those middle kids who might think they are underappreciated. She gives the middles a voice in a delightfully humorous way : )Let's GO GREEN and GROW as readers. Let's remember answers are closed rooms and questions are open windows that invite us in. Three simple questions to ask ourselves as we read: What does it say? What does it mean? What does it matter?Blessings!https://recapbookchat.com/Here's the Link for The Last Green Valley 

There is a specific kind of ache that comes from looking at your daughter and seeing yourself — not the version of yourself you've carefully curated, but the girl you tried to leave behind. That's where Melissa Fraterrigo's memoir begins: standing in a doorway, watching her twin daughters navigate the turbulent terrain of adolescence, and recognizing in their self-doubt, their body shame, their quiet suffering, the exact contours of her own girlhood in the 80s and 90s. The recognition didn't just move her. It sent her back — back through memory, back through culture, back through every lesson she'd absorbed and every wound she'd never quite named — to write The Perils of Girlhood, a memoir in essays that is at once an excavation of the past and a love letter to the next generation.What makes this book extraordinary is how deliberately Melissa chose the essay form — not to present a tidy narrative arc, but to honor the messy, nonlinear way that girlhood actually lives inside us. She wrote it the way memory works: pulled toward heat, toward the unresolved, toward the scenes that still ask something of us. She started in the middle — an essay about her father's temper and the people-pleasing survival strategy it produced — and spent five years finding where all the pieces truly belonged. Along the way, she wove in pop culture touchstones from Judy Blume to 80s sitcom dads, not as nostalgia but as evidence: this is what the air was made of back then, and we breathed it in, and here is what it cost us. She wrote herself into forgiveness — for her younger self, for the people who didn't always get it right — and found that the longer she sat with each chapter, the softer and more spacious her understanding became.In this warm, wide-ranging conversation with Olivia, Melissa reflects on what it means to trade the safety of fiction for the vulnerability of memoir, why this book belongs to readers of every gender and generation, and why one of her twin daughters has already read it — while the other has politely declined, which Melissa accepts with the grace of a woman who has learned that healing doesn't happen on a schedule. The Perils of Girlhood is ultimately a book about the stories we tell ourselves about who we are, how those stories get written for us long before we're old enough to hold the pen, and what becomes possible when we finally decide to rewrite them. If you're in any season of self-examination — a parent trying to break a cycle, a daughter still untangling her past, or simply a person curious enough to ask how you became who you are — this book is waiting for you.

In this lively episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating the power of picture books and biographies to turn kids into lifelong readers. First, Jed welcomes author Brooke Hartman and illustrator Michael Slack to talk about their exuberant new picture book Exca Gator—a swampy, construction-site romp starring an alligator who drives an excavator. Brooke shares how the idea sprang from her daughter's adorable mispronunciation of "excavator," and how her own childhood around construction equipment inspired all the rumbling, clanking onomatopoeia in the text. The story follows a super‑excited alligator who wants to do everything himself, only to learn an important lesson about teamwork: "we build it best when we're a crew." Michael takes us behind the scenes of the art, explaining how he did more than 100 sketches before finally "finding" the main character—thanks to a photo of a baby alligator with a huge smile. He and Brooke discuss the unusual author–illustrator relationship in traditional publishing, why a little creative distance can be helpful, and how picture books are really a three‑way collaboration between author, illustrator, and reader. In the second half, Jed talks with author–illustrator Selina Alko about her picture book biography Otherwise Known as Judy the Great, celebrating the childhood of beloved writer Judy Blume. Selena describes discovering Judy's early life in New Jersey, her family's experience during World War II, and how Judy's honest, emotionally rich stories helped generations of kids feel seen. They explore how biographies can comfort young readers, show them that heroes also face hardship, and inspire kids to follow their own dreams.

How would you pay homage to the books who helped shaped you as a child? That's the topic of discussion for today's episode as author and illustrator Selina Alko stops by The DTALKS Podcast to discuss her latest book, "Otherwise Known as Judy The Great". We get into a discussion about childhood influences, different art styles used for the book, and lessons Selina hopes readers take away from her book. It's a great conversation you're really going to enjoy! Check it out!   About Selina Alko Selina Alko is an award-winning author and illustrator known for blending lyrical storytelling with vibrant mixed-media art. Raised in Vancouver by a Turkish Jewish father and Jewish mother, she grew up immersed in culture, creativity, and diverse perspectives that continue to shape her work. Selina has a degree in art history from University of British Columbia and a BFA in illustration from the School of Visual Arts. She has created more than twenty-five acclaimed children's books, with features in The New York Times, NPR, People, and Time Out New York Kids. A National Jewish Book Award winner, her titles have also been honored as Junior Library Guild Gold selections and Bank Street Best Books of the Year. She is the recipient of the Mills Tannenbaum Award for Excellence in Children's Literacy.   About 'Otherwise Known as Judy The Great' Judy Blume is known for fearlessly discussing topics that were once considered taboo. As a young girl, Judy was not encouraged to share her feelings, so instead she invented stories as a way to understand the world around her. Growing up Jewish, during and in the aftermath of WWII, dramatically shaped Judy's childhood. Her younger years were full of fear. Judy processed her conflicted emotions by making up stories where she could control the conflict as she worked through challenging life scenarios. These stories became the subjects of the books she later published for children, tweens, teens, and adults including Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, Freckle Juice, and the Fudge series. This inspiring collection of poems celebrates the childhood years of Judy Blume, one of the most beloved American writers of all time.   Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website! Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.   With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)   Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life!    At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care.    Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze welcomes award-winning author and illustrator Selina Alko to discuss her poetic picture book biography, Otherwise Known as Judy the Great: A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume. Selina shares how she transformed Judy Blume's childhood—shaped by fear, World War II, and the Jewish experience—into a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the power of storytelling.From discovering Judy Blume's books as a young reader to crafting a narrative that honors both the light and shadow of her formative years, Selina reveals the deep research and artistic choices behind this lyrical tribute. With warmth and insight, she discusses why poetry was the perfect medium to capture Judy's voice, how historical context shaped the author's fearless approach to taboo topics, and what it means to introduce Judy Blume to a new generation of young readers. Whether you're an educator seeking meaningful biographies, a parent raising a creative child, or a Judy Blume fan curious about her origins, this conversation illuminates how childhood experiences become the stories that change the world.Read the transcript on ⁠The Children's Book Review⁠.Highlights:Why Judy Blume: What drew Selina to create a picture book biography of this beloved authorPoetry as Portrait: How verse became the perfect vehicle to capture Judy's childhood voiceThe Shadow of WWII: Understanding how fear and the Jewish experience shaped young JudyFrom Fear to Fearless: How storytelling became Judy's way of processing and controlling conflictResearch and Reverence: Selina's process of honoring Judy's true story while making it accessibleArt Meets History: The visual choices that bring 1940s-50s America to lifeIntroducing Icons to New Readers: Why picture book biographies matter for young audiencesThe Legacy of Taboo-Breaking: How Judy's childhood fears became her greatest gift to readersNotable Quotes:"Judy Blume really paved the way for so many authors to write books that kids could relate to about real life problems." —Selina Alko"Growing up Jewish during and after WWII dramatically shaped Judy's childhood. Her younger years were full of fear, and she processed those conflicted emotions through storytelling." —Selina AlkoBooks Mentioned:Otherwise Known as Judy the Great: A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume by Selina Alko: ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠B Is for Brooklyn by Selina Alko: ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko and Sean Qualls: ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by Selina Alko and Sean Qualls: ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠Sharing Shalom by Danielle Sharkan and Selina Alko: ⁠Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠I Is for Immigrants: Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠The Remembering Candle by Alison Goldberg and Selina Alko: Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠About Selina Alko:Selina Alko is an award-winning author and illustrator whose picture books celebrate diversity, history, and the power of creativity. Her previous works include B Is for Brooklyn, Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama, and The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage (co-authored with Sean Qualls). Selina's vibrant, mixed-media illustrations and lyrical storytelling bring important stories to life for young readers. Otherwise Known as Judy the Great is her poetic tribute to one of America's most beloved authors.Visit: https://www.selinaalko.com/Credits:Host: Bianca SchulzeGuest: Selina AlkoProducer: Bianca Schulze

As Rachel McAdams returns to movie screens with Sam Raimy's horror film Send Help, we thought it a good time to look back at one of her most beloved performances to date. In 2023, Kelly Freeman Craig adapted a book beloved by (and controversial for) generations: Judy Blume's Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. With Abby … Continue reading "376 – Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."

The Bright Side is off this week, but we wanted to revisit one of our favorite episodes. Back in September, Simone sat down with Emmy-nominated actor Karen Pittman. She touched hearts last summer with Netflix's Judy Blume remake, Forever, and in the fall, she shook things up in the fourth season of The Morning Show on Apple TV+. After three seasons of watching Karen's character, Mia Jordan, follow the company line even at her own peril, the UBA executive is coming into her own and taking what's hers. It's a thrilling arc for a dynamic character, and one that Karen knows well. Acting was her second-act career, one that she fought for amid the ups and downs of her personal life. After grinding in the business for 20 years, Karen says it's the journey that she appreciates; a journey that has helped her leave imposter syndrome behind and take more risks — in life and her career. You can stream the fourth season of The Morning Show anytime on Apple TV+.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this week's episode, we deep dive into a book-movie adaptation of Judy Blume's 1970 MASTERPIECE, staring Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Abby Ryder Fortson. This movie is perfection. No notes. It perfectly encapsulates three generations of women; their struggles, their growth, their wins. Are you a young girl? a 25-45 year old mother? A grandmother? Did you used to be a young girl? Have you ever met a young girl, a 25-45 year old mother or a grandmother? This movie is for you. This movie is for everyone. Watch it. OR ELSE. 

Before we dive in: this episode includes discussion of masturbation, sex and other adult topics. You're listening to Voices of Your Village and today's episode is such a treat. I got to sit down with Rachelle Bergstein to talk about her work on the incredible Judy Blume, and the impact her stories have had across generations. We talk about censorship, the importance of letting kids ask big questions, and what it means to create space for children to explore who they are without shame. We dig into the nuances of parenting and what it looks like to support individuality while staying deeply connected. Don't forget to check out Rachelle's book, The Genius of Judy Blume. All right, folks, let's dive in. Connect with Rachelle: Instagram: @rachellewb Website: https://www.rachellebergstein.com/ Order the book: The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us Podcast Episodes Mentioned: How (and When) to Talk to Your Kids About Porn, with Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett  Setting the Stage for Shame-Free Puberty with Melissa Pintor Carnagey  How To Make Puberty and Sex Talks Less Awkward with Dr. Cara Natterson and Vanessa Kroll Bennett  Connect with us: Instagram and TikTok: @seed.and.sew  Seed and Sew's NEW Regulation Questionnaire: Take the Quiz Order Big Kids, Bigger Feelings now!  Website: seedandsew.org Credits: Host: Alyssa Blask Campbell Co-host: Rachel Lounder Production/Editing: Kristin Mork-McVeigh Graphics: Kayla Kurkland-Davis/ Beki Rohrig Music by: Ruby Adams and  Bensound Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're heading to Africa! Over the years we have taken the 3 Books podcast on the road many times ... from recording in ​Judy Blume's bookstore​ in Key West to to the ​back of Jackie's Uber​ in St. Louis to ​Jonathan Haidt's kitchen​ in New York we've gone where the stories take us. And for the first time we are going to the 55-country and 1.5 billion person continent of Africa. I am so excited to share the first of three chapters of 3 Books recorded in Nairobi, Kenya. I landed there and went whizzing down busy streets with colourful stalls, wandering goats, people pulling carts full of eggs, women carrying baskets on their heads, endless whizzing bodas (motorcycles). I visited the lovely home of novelist and professor ​Peter Kimani​ — where he lives with his wife Anne and their two boys. Peter is a huge mind and talented writer whose work spans New York Times Notable novels such as '​Dance of the Jakaranda​' to writing a poem for Barack Obama's presidential inauguration. Peter has studied at the University of Iowa—the Harvard of writing schools, perhaps!—and earned his doctorate at the University of Houston. He was awarded the Jomo Kenyatta Prize for Literature, Kenya's highest literary honor, and is a professor at Aga Khan University in Nairobi. Let's sit down outside in his backyard garden, near the mango and orange trees, below the calls of the Pied Crows, and discuss normalizing abnormalities, decolonizing our minds, The Hardy Boys, writing as an extension of living, whitewashing conservation, Peter's 3 most formative books, and much, much more... Let's flip the page to Chapter 154 now...

Robert Kelly, Luis J. Gomez, Joe List, and Dan Soder discuss if Bobby was ever mean to Dan, Max flicking a booger at Bobby, Joe excited for the Turner Classic Movies Cruise, Judy Blume owning a book store, the Riyadh Festival drama, Theo Von drama alleging bombing his netflix special, which actors would play them in a Regz movie, Bad Bunny playing the Super Bowl Halftime Show, and the world's hottest people and more! Presented by YKWD and GaS Digital. LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-regz/id1700969607 SOCIALS Robert Kelly @ykwdpodcast https://robertkellylive.com/ https://www.instagram.com/robertkellylive/ Luis J. Gomez https://luisofskanks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/gomezcomedy/ https://twitter.com/luisjgomezJoe List https://twitter.com/JoeListComedy https://www.instagram.com/joelistcomedy/ Dan Soder https://www.dansoder.com/https://www.instagram.com/dansoder/  SPONSORS  PrizePicks Get $50 in lineups after placing your first $5 lineup https://www.prizepicks.com/ Mando New customers get 20% off with code “REGZ” ZocDocUse zocdoc.com/regz to support the show and get the help you need LucyGet 20% off first order w/ code “REGZ” BodyBrain Coffee Use code REGZ25 to get 25% off https://www.BodyBrainCoffee.com/ Small Batch CigarUse code REGZ10 for 10% off plus 5% rewards https://www.smallbatchcigar.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Judy Blume and feminism? Yes, please. Add in divorce… and we got ourselves a cool (albeit, a bit different) podcast episode this week! I'm thrilled to welcome Rachelle Bergstein to the show, a lifestyle writer, bestselling author, and editor whose work explores the intersections of style, pop culture, and family. Her latest book, The Genius of Judy, takes us on an intimate and unflinching journey through Judy Blume's life and legacy, examining how her stories have shaped generations of women and girls while challenging cultural norms around gender, sexuality, and growing up. Throughout this episode, we explore Judy's willingness to tell the truth when others wouldn't, along with her ability to normalize the experiences and emotions of childhood. We also discuss what her work continues to teach us about liberation, identity, and the messy, beautiful realities of life. ✨ If you'd like to watch the video version of this episode, you can find it here. What you'll hear about in this episode: Judy's groundbreaking decision to write honestly about divorce, adolescence, and growing up (1:58) How It's Not the End of the World helped normalize divorce for children in the 1970s (16:10) The feminist brilliance of Judy Blume's book Forever (8:30) How the feminist movement influenced Judy's work (18:21) Learn more about Rachelle Bergstein: Rachelle Bergstein is a lifestyle writer, bestselling author, and editor, focused on style, pop culture, and families. Her work has appeared in the New York Post, The New York Times, NPR, and more. She is the author of three books: Women from the Ankle Down, Brilliance and Fire, and The Genius of Judy. She lives with her husband and son in Brooklyn. Resources & Links: Focused Strategy Sessions with Kate The Divorce Survival Guide Resource BundlePhoenix Rising: A Divorce Empowerment CollectiveKate on InstagramKate on FacebookKate's Substack Newsletter: Divorce Coaching Dispatch The Divorce Survival Guide Podcast Episodes are also available YouTube! Rachelle on InstagramRachelle's SubstackRachelle's book, The Genius of Judy Blume Judy Blume books as mentioned in this episode: It's Not the End of the WorldForever Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.Just as Long as We're Together Superfudge (part of the Fudge series) =================== DISCLAIMER:  THE COMMENTARY AND OPINIONS AVAILABLE ON THIS PODCAST ARE FOR INFORMATIONAL AND ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY AND NOT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING LEGAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL ADVICE.  YOU SHOULD CONTACT AN ATTORNEY, COACH, OR THERAPIST IN YOUR STATE TO OBTAIN ADVICE WITH RESPECT TO ANY PARTICULAR ISSUE OR PROBLEM. =================== Episode link: https://kateanthony.com/podcast/episode-340-feminism-divorce-and-the-legacy-of-judy-blume-with-rachelle-bergstein/  

It's Banned Books Week. Honorary youth chair Iris Mogul and Sam Helmick, president of the American Library Association, talk about what it is, why it matters so much, and how you can get involved.Visit theallusionist.org/bannedbooks for more information and many links about today's topics, plus a transcript of the episode.Support the show at theallusionist.org/donate and as well as keeping this independent podcast going, you also get behind-the-scenes info about every episode; livestreams with me, Martin and my ever-growing collection of dictionaries, and the charming and nurturing Allusioverse Discord community, where we're watching the current season Great British Bake Off - donors also get a weekly work of flanfic about the show.This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman. Thanks to Thanks to Charisse Barnachea, and to Liv for the Judy Blume books circa 1989. Martin Austwick sings and composed the music. Download his own songs at palebirdmusic.com and on Bandcamp, and listen to his podcasts Song By Song and Neutrino Watch.Find the Allusionist at youtube.com/allusionistshow, instagram.com/allusionistshow, facebook.com/allusionistshow, @allusionistshow.bsky.social… If I'm there, I'm there as @allusionistshow. Our ad partner is Multitude. If you want me to talk compellingly about your product, sponsor an episode: contact Multitude at multitude.productions/ads. This episode is sponsored by:• Squarespace, your one-stop shop for building and running your online forever home. Go to squarespace.com/allusionist for a free trial, and get 10 percent off your first purchase of a website or domain with the code allusionist.• Home Chef, meal kits that fit your needs. For a limited time, Home Chef is offering Allusionist listeners fifty per cent off and free shipping on your first box, plus free dessert for life, at HomeChef.com/allusionist.• Rosetta Stone, immersive and effective language learning. Allusionist listeners get 50% off unlimited access to all 25 language courses, for life: go to rosettastone.com/allusionist.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Kaytee are discussing: Bookish Moments: bookstore romance day +  let there be a reading light Current Reads: all the great, interesting, and/or terrible stuff we've been reading lately Deep Dive: advice on avoiding bookish amnesia The Fountain: we visit our perfect fountain to make wishes about our reading lives Show notes are time-stamped below for your convenience. Read the transcript of the episode (this link only works on the main site) .  .  .  .  01:55 - Our Bookish Moments Of The Week 04:56 - The Currently Reading Library Tote (CR Merch) 05:42 - May Your Coffee Be Hot Mug (CR Merch) 09:14 - Our Current Reads 09:27 - Louder Than Hunger by John Schu (Kaytee) 13:24 - Deenie by Judy Blume 15:31 - Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume 15:34 - Forever by Judy Blume 17:20 - Culpability by Bruce Holsinger (Meredith) 18:57 - The Displacements by Bruce Holsinger 19:07 - The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger 21:56 - In an Instant by Suzanne Redfearn 22:22 - Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory (Kaytee) 25:44 - The Six Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni (Meredith) 31:30 - Weyward by Emilia Hart (Kaytee) 34:31 - The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig (Meredith) 36:36 - One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig 38:26 - The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow 39:15 - Quicksilver by Callie Hart 40:22 - Deep Dive: Answering a listener question and giving advice on avoiding bookish amnesia 49:15 - Meet Us At The Fountain 49:22 - I wish more readers would pick up Go As a River by Shelley Read (Kaytee) 50:00 - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens 51:21 - I wish you would consider experimenting with a new pen: like this “cheater” fountain pen, Pilot Varsity Disposable Fountain (Meredith) Support Us: Become a Bookish Friend | Grab Some Merch Shop Bookshop dot org | Shop Amazon Bookish Friends Receive: The Indie Press List with a curated list of five books hand sold by the indie of the month. August's IPL comes to us from our founding Indie Press List store: Fabled Bookshop in Waco, TX! Love and Chili Peppers with Kaytee and Rebekah - romance lovers get their due with this special episode focused entirely on the best selling genre fiction in the business.  All Things Murderful with Meredith and Elizabeth - special content for the scary-lovers, brought to you with the behind-the-scenes insights of an independent bookseller From the Editor's Desk with Kaytee and Bunmi Ishola - a quarterly peek behind the curtain at the publishing industry The Bookish Friends Facebook Group - where you can build community with bookish friends from around the globe as well as our hosts Connect With Us: The Show: Instagram | Website | Email | Threads The Hosts and Regulars: Meredith | Kaytee | Mary | Roxanna Production and Editing: Megan Phouthavong Evans Affiliate Disclosure: All affiliate links go to Bookshop unless otherwise noted. Shopping here helps keep the lights on and benefits indie bookstores. Thanks for your support!  

This 1987 Judy Blume classic captures the changing times of girlhood, adolescence and friends. Anney and Samantha swap memories of friendship and growing up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.