Blubber Book

I was at the library with my children yesterday when I noticed the Judy Blume books. I loved Judy Bloom when I was younger. So I thought it would be interesting to reread some of them again. Blubber is the one I read last night. I remember when I read it the first time that I really related to the main character, Jill. It is about a 5th grade class who begins to pick on Linda who is overweight. This is day in and out teasing-harassing. Then one day Jill gets on the wrong side of one of the main instigators and overnight she becomes the target. By using her wit she is able to reverse the trend and things go back to normal. I related to Jill because I remember thinking, "I may not be the most popular, but at least I am not unpopular." I felt bad for Linda but was relieved I wasn't her.

As an adult reading this I am appalled. There is no redeeming quality. Some of the teasing that went on would qualify for expulsion and sexual harassment. It was very painful to read as a mother. Jill does not stand up for Linda. She never empathizes with her. When she begins to get tease she does not recognize how much her teasing hurt Linda. The only lesson she learned was not to do what Linda did and just sit there. In fact when given the chance to eat lunch with the girls in her class she chooses a "safe" choice and Linda once again is alone.

The one way this book would be worth reading is if it was used to open up a dialogue to explore teasing-bullying and standing up for others. It almost seems like it opened up wounds but never healed.