Addressing the complexities of growing up, Judy Blume’s books for young people — especially

(1975) in its depiction of adolescent sexual awakening — have guided countless teenagers through the delights and trials of adolescence, the years between childhood and adulthood. Blume’s earlier

(1973) deals with adolescent body image, and her iconic Are

(1970) with puberty, particularly menarche.

, however, takes adolescence to the cusp of adulthood by addressing sex, a subject many adults would prefer to keep from children. Thus, while the novel’s premise, boy meets girl, is quite simple, the novel’s approach to adolescent sexuality is, still, revolutionary, especially in its specific concern with female sexual awakening.

As

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Citation: Phillips, Leah. "Forever". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 July 2018 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=38832, accessed 03 December 2024.]