Module 15: "Forever" by Judy Blume

Book Cover Image:

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Book Summary:
High school seniors Katherine and Michael meet at a New Year’s Eve party and soon become inseparable companions.  Their friendship eventually grows into love.  Although they have discussed “going all the way,” Katherine resists.  Her best friend Erica insists that sex is a physical act and has nothing to do with love and romance.  Erica’s friend Arte has some issues too, as he questions his sexuality and wonders if in fact he might have gay tendencies.  This leads to a deep depression and an attempt at suicide.  
By the end of the book, Katherine and Michael do decide to have protected sex, and assure each other of their ‘forever” love.  But forever and enduring are not necessarily one and the same, as Katherine discovers when a summer vacation eventually pulls them apart.
This book touches on many controversial subjects, but ones that do affect teenagers in their daily lives. 

APA Reference:  
Blume, J. (1989). Forever... New York, N.Y: Pocket Books.

My Impressions:

Forever was written by author Judy Blume, who prior to this had written books for middle school age children.  She intended this novel for young adults, but its graphic sexual language and exploration of other controversial subjects has caused it to be one of the most contested books ever published.  I do understand the reasoning behind the controversy, especially in the 70s, when parents expressed concern that their children were reading a book of such an explicit nature.  In their estimation, it undermined marital sex, promoted the use of contraception which is forbidden in some religious factions, and prematurely awakened the feelings of sexuality in young adults.   On the other hand, Katherine is very guarded when it came to having sex.  She was not about to just ‘give it away’ unless she was truly in love, and he felt the same.  She and Michael do have candid discussions concerning the ramifications of their actions, and do not take it lightly.  They date for a long time & they discuss relationships and problems with their parents.  When they do finally decide to further explore their sexuality, they are careful and go to a clinic for Katherine to get on the pill, making it “safer.” 
The book is popular with teenagers because it demystifies the “coming-of-age” experience and explains the progression of first encounters and true love.  Although Michael and Katherine do eventually drift apart after a summer of separation, they both come to the realization that love and sex are inseparable and it is important to not share that gift of oneself too casually.

Professional Review:

“BLUME, Judy.  Forever.  199p.  Bradbury.  Oct. 1975.  $6.95.  ISBN 0-87888-079-8.
YA – Katherine and Michael find each other and it’s first love for both of them.  Katherine loses her virginity, finds out about contraceptives, and learns about VD with lectures inserted as needed.  Actually, both kids are so kind and considerate, so understanding, so everything that readers may wonder what’s wrong with them.  Finally, she realizes that first love isn’t always Forever, that she is growing and accepting changes.  Sniff, sniff.  Obviously it’s not a quality book but that fact won’t bother the many girls who will read it, identify, cry happily, and recommend it to their friends.  Librarians buying for junior high schools should be aware that the sexual scenes, while not at all explicit compared to the run of adult novels, may be more than parents of young teens bargain for.  – Regina Minudri, Alameda county Library, Hayward, Calif.”

[Review of the book Forever…, by J. Blume].  (1975, November). School Library Journal,
 22(3). 95.  Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com.

 Library Uses:

This book was controversial in the 1970s when it was first published due to its uncensored exploration of teen sexuality. But even though attitudes have changed in the last few decades regarding that subject, Forever… was still ranked as the eighth most challenged book in the 1990s - 2000, according to the ALA (American Library Association.)  Forever would be a good selection to add to a library display during “Banned Books Week,” which highlights books that have been challenged throughout the years.