Words At Large

American author Judy Blume is back with a new book for children, the latest in a long list of books for the younger set. She brings host Jian Ghomeshi up to date on her life and writing in this Q interview.

Blume’s new book is called Going, Going, Gone! with The Pain and the Great One (Delcorte Books for Young Readers). It’s the third book in a series about eight-year-old Abigail, “The Great One,” and her six-year-old brother, Jake, “The Pain.” The two characters were inspired by her own children years ago.

Blume helped define the genre of young adult fiction in the '70s and '80s with her immensely popular novels, many focused on teens and their angst. These books have won her generations of fans, but also brought her more than her fair share of criticism.

She’s one of the most censored authors in the United States, due to her frank writing about youth and hot-button topics.

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret (Laurel Leaf) took on religion and puberty, and Blubber (Yearling) looks at schoolyard bullying and body image concerns. The books that have caused the most controversy are the ones that deal with teenaged sexuality, including Deenie (Laurel Leaf), Forever... (Simon Spotlight Entertainment) and Then Again, Maybe I Won’t (Yearling).

Along the way, Blume has also written three novels for adults, Summer Sisters (Delta), Smart Women (Berkley), and Wifey (Berkley), all of which were New York Times bestsellers.

Download this week’s Words At Large podcast to hear Judy Blume talk with Q host Jian Ghomeshi about her responsibility to her fans and the mysteries of the writing process.

First aired August 14, 2008 on Q. [runs 19:08]