Deenie

Product Information

This book is ground breaking. I know that it’s been banned many, many times and continues to be banned to this day. There are 4 mentions of masturbation of just a line or two at a time for most of them and one that is a little longer in the context of sex education class. I wish I’d read this when I was the right age. It would’ve cleared a lot of things up. I’m glad it exists.

Deenie – Judy Blume on the Web

What is significant about the bag that Deenie takes to Janet’s party? Explain why she doesn’t proceed with her plan. Janet Kayser— One of Deenie's best friends. She is selected for the cheerleading squad instead of Deenie. Case in point: did I remember, from my first read, about Deenie's “special place” on her body, and how she loves to rub it and rub it, until she gets that good feeling?Deenie Fenner— The main character. Thelma's plans for Deenie to become a model are in jeopardy when Deenie is diagnosed with scoliosis. Blume, who speaks her mind, was criticized recently after a U.K. newspaper published an interview with her with the headline: “I’m behind JK Rowling 100 per cent.” Blume clarified with a tweet that her words were taken out of context; her point was that she can empathize with a person who has been harassed online. “I stand with the trans community and vehemently disagree with anyone who does not fully support equality and acceptance for LGBTQIA+ people.”

Deenie - Judy Blume - Google Books

Describe Mrs. Rappoport, the seventh-grade girls’ gym teacher, from Deenie’s point of view. When does Mrs. Rappoport first notice something unusual with Deenie’s spine? Discuss why Deenie is interested in knowing whether this issue kept her off the finalist list for cheerleader. Deenie’s dad answers the telephone when Mrs. Rappoport calls to suggest that Deenie see a doctor. Why is her dad the best person to take this call? Margaret, 11 going on 12, moves to New Jersey from Manhattan and falls in with a group of girls. They call themselves the PTS’s – for Pre-Teen Sensations – and do rigorous exercises they think will help them grow breasts. (When Blume was on the film set – she is a producer – she corrected the way the actors were doing the “We must – We must – We must increase our bust!” exercise, according to The Atlantic. They were doing it praying style, palms together; it’s in fact an elbows-to-the-side pumping motion.)Never My Fault: Thelma thinks she knows what's best in regards to her daughters (i.e. what she wants them to be) and will point fingers at everyone else when things don't go her way, from her husband to her daughters themselves. When Deenie gets diagnosed with scoliosis and Helen has a crush on the young man working at her father's garage, she goes hysterical and wails that all she wanted was the best for her daughters.