Judy Blume books: a guide

There's nothing like the shock of recognition, and relief, that comes from realising that you're not the first or only person who feels the way you feel. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is a bold, empathetic exploration of what it's like being a teenage girl who feels that they don't quite fit in. Originally published in 1970, it's a timeless YA classic, and is now a major film starring Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, The Notebook) and Abby Ryder Fortson (Ant-Man).

Katherine and Michael meet at a party. The attraction is instant, and pretty soon they're seeing each other. This is love, and love is forever – right? Discussion around what is arguably Blume's best-known book tends to focus on its brave, honest portrayal of Katherine losing her virginity, but there is a great deal more here. It's an account not only of first sex, but of first love and first heartbreak, and the realisation that good things don't always last forever, and that that's OK. 

Proving that the intense pressure to look perfect is not a recent phenomenon, 1973's Deenie tackles unrealistic beauty standards, and the danger of pigeon-holing people at a young age, through the story of two sisters. Mrs Fenner has very fixed ambitions for her daughters. Helen's the brains; Deenie's the gorgeous one who's going to be a model. Except Deenie's not so sure. When she's diagnosed with scoliosis – curvature of the spine – Deenie's almost relieved. No more castings. No more expectations. But will the treatment for her condition curtail her return to a more normal teenage life and her blossoming relationship with Buddy Brader?

Just as Long as We're Together is Judy Blume's classic novel about changing friendships. Stephanie and Rachel have been best friends for years, in spite of their differences. Alison is new in town, and immediately becomes an integral part of their group. But is it possible to have two best friends? And how can you call anyone a friend if you can't tell them your most painful secrets? 

Then Again, Maybe I Won’t explores what happens when you have a sudden change in (literal) fortune. Tony is thirteen, living in a too-small house, when his dad's invention makes his family unexpectedly very rich. But it turns out that money doesn't buy happiness. Tony's grandma feels useless when she doesn't have to cook any more, his mum is obsessed with impressing the neighbours and Tony starts to wish everything could just be normal again. Blume is rightly championed for her portrayal of girls growing up and working things out; Then Again, Maybe I Won’t demonstrates that her insight and empathy is not limited to one gender. 

Blubber is a thick layer of fat that lies under the skin and over the muscles of whales . . .

When Linda innocently reads out her class project, everyone finds it funny. Linda can't help it if she's fat, but what starts as a joke leads to a sustained and cruel ritual of humiliation. Her friend Jill knows she should defend Linda, but it can be scary standing up to bullies. And when she eventually does, she becomes their next victim – and what's worse, Linda is now on their side. This is a sensitive exploration of bullying and self-esteem for middle grade readers. 

Karen's parents have always argued, and lately they've been getting worse. But when her father announces that they're going to get divorced, Karen feels like she is also falling apart. Jeff, her brother, decides it's their mum's fault. Amy, her younger sister, is scared everyone is going to leave. Karen really just wants her parents to get back together. This is a thoughtful, realistic look at divorce and family separation. 

The first book in the fantastic Fudge series for younger readers, the hilarious Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing introduces Peter Hatcher, his classmate nemesis Sheila and his toddler brother, Fudge. Fudge causes trouble wherever he goes and it's usually up to Peter to sort out the mess. When Peter wins a tiny green turtle called Dribble, he's determined to keep it away from his brother. But when Fudge does get his hands on Dribble – disaster strikes!

Wheelies brings together the first two books in The Pain and the Great One series, Judy Blume's perfect encapsulation of what it's like to grow up with a sibling. Meet Jake and Abigail. Abigail thinks that Jake is a massive pain. Jake thinks that Abigail thinks she is sooo great. Whether they are riding bikes, doggie-sitting, having fun at school, getting their hair cut or throwing parties, there's always something for them to argue about. But despite these little disagreements, this pair are always there for each other, sharing in the fun!

In 1987, Miri Ammerman returns to her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey, to attend a commemoration of the worst year of her life. Thirty-five years earlier, when Miri was fifteen and in love for the first time, three planes fell from the sky within three months, leaving a community reeling. Against this backdrop of actual events in the early 1950s, when airline travel was new and exciting and everyone dreamed of going somewhere, Judy Blume weaves a haunting story of three generations of families, friends, and strangers, whose lives are forever changed in the aftermath.