1. Forever... by Judy Blume

Forever... by Judy Blume
ISBN: 0-689-84973-7
Simon & Schuster, New York, 1975
199 p.

Plot Summary 
Katherine Danziger, a high school senior, meets Michael Wagner at a friend’s New Years Eve party.  Although she resists at first, Kath realizes her attraction to him when they begin to spend time together.  Of course, the feeling is mutual.  Soon into the relationship, the topic of sex comes up and Kath expresses her desire to move slowly.  Michael understands and agrees to wait.  Although Kath’s best friend, Erica, believes that sex is purely physical, Kath places more importance on being in love prior to making love.  As the relationship progresses, Kath and Michael decide they are ready and have sex, leading Kath to attend a meeting at Planned Parenthood and obtain the pill.  The pair decides that they will be together forever and continue to grow closer throughout the school year.  However, when the school year comes to an end, they are separated as Kath goes to work at a tennis camp in New Hampshire and Michael spends the summer at his uncle’s lumberyard in North Carolina.  With only the exchange of letters, Kath and Michael discover whether their love can survive the summer.  Will they last forever? 

Critical Evaluation 
Forever… was a breakthrough young adult novel, discussing the issues of teen sexual relationships and birth control candidly.  As reviewed on the book jacket, The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books wrote, “The characters and dialogue are equally natural and vigorous, the language uncensored, the depiction of family relationships outstanding.”  Consisting of mostly dialogue, the book is an easy-read, allowing the reader to follow along in Kath and Michael’s relationship.  Blume includes controversial themes that represent different kinds of experiences in teenagers’ lives throughout high school.  In addition to Kath and Michael discussing whether they are ready to take their relationship to the next level, the novel uses the character of Sybil to demonstrate the consequences of having sex without taking precautions.  Because of her low self-esteem, Sybil is promiscuous, leading to an unplanned pregnancy.  Kath and Sybil represent a dichotomy of attitudes toward sex, letting readers know that their choices have consequences.  In addition, Michael’s friend, Artie, expresses confusion about his sexuality and attempts to figure it out by having a relationship with Kath’s friend, Erica.  Perhaps in part because of this struggle, he also goes through high and low moods, ultimately leading to a suicide attempt.  Including this character in the novel gives teen readers who are going through similar circumstances someone to which they can relate.  Also, when he is sent to a psychiatric hospital, Kath says, “…maybe this was the best thing that could have happened because now, at least, Artie, will get the kind of professional help he’s needed all along” (p. 154).  By acknowledging that he needed professional help, the novel may help readers recognize their own issues and seek help.  Even though the book is now 36 years old, Forever… still resonates in today’s society by giving a realistic look at teenage relationships.

Reader's Annotation
After meeting at a party, high school seniors Kath and Michael embark on a relationship, experiencing the ups and downs of first love.  Once they take their relationship to the next level and make love, they decide that they are destined to be together forever, but only time will tell if their love will last. 

Information About the Author
Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Blubber; Just as Long as We're Together; and the five book series about the irrepressible Fudge. She has also written three novels for adults, Summer Sisters; Smart Women; and Wifey, all of them New York Times bestsellers. More than 80 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into thirty-one languages. She receives thousands of letters a year from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her.

Judy is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980's she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers. (Retrieved from author's website: http://www.judyblume.com/about.php)

Genre
Young Adult – Realistic/Drama/Romance

Curriculum Ties
Because of its notoriety as a banned book, this novel could be used as part of a lesson on banned books in high school.

Booktalking Ideas
1. Discuss the relationship between Michael and Kath.
2. Identify reasons behind banning books.
3. Focus on the idea of "happily ever after."

Reading Level/Interest Age
14+

Challenge Issues
Just as when the book was first published, the frank discussion of sexual acts among teenagers and advocacy of contraception may raise some concern.

When confronted with complaints about this novel, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content.  Turn to reviews from publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as reviews from teens that have read it.  Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom.  As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection?
This book attracted my attention after I read about the controversy surrounding it and the censorship placed upon it, most notably during the 1980s.