FOREVER BY JUDY BLUME
Forever is Judy Blume's candid portrayal
of a teenage sexual relationship. It has sold over 3.5 million copies and 30 years after it was first published, it is still causing controversy. Reasons cited for Forever being challenged and banned:
What did the censors have in mind when listing the
|
Forever
Forever is a young adult book that was first published in 1975. It is a story about teenage sexuality and love. The very private, often not discussed topics of masturbation, teenage sex, birth control are brought to life by Blume.
Katherine Danzinger is 17 years old and a senior in high school when she meets Michael Wagner at a New Year’s Eve party and quickly falls in love. Blume candidly writes about Katherine’s life and the events before, during and after Katherine loses her virginity. Katherine and Michael are typical teenagers and the story is very true to life. They promise their love will last forever and have their future planned. Those dreams start to shatter when Katherine’s parents make her take a summer job out of town and they must spend the summer apart. The separation is a test of their love as Katherine develops feelings for another tennis instructor. Forever is a well written, highly criticized novel shows reader’s that forever is a long time and to remember that life goes on. Where has Forever been challenged?
Who has been challenging and banning this book?
- Focus on the Family - Family and Youth
Forever was banned from the high school library by the high school principal at the Rib Lake, WI in 1994. A guidance counselor at the high school criticized this decision to his principal in writing. The counselors contract was not renewed, in retaliation for speaking out against the districts book policy. A federal jury in Madison, WI awarded $394,560 to the guidance counselor.
|