Blubber

by Judy Blume

Book Overview

What happens when teasing goes too far? This classic middle grade novel from Judy Blume addresses the timeless topic of bullying and has a fresh new look.

"Blubber is a good name for her," the note from Caroline said about Linda. Jill crumpled it up and left it on the corner of her school desk. She didn't want to think about Linda or her dumb report on whales just then. Jill wanted to think about Halloween.

But Robby grabbed the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 148141013X
• ISBN13: 9781481410137
• Release Date: April 2014
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Mean Girls

I remember this book so well, I can still see the original cover even though it's in a landfill someplace now. The two girls at their desks snickering to themselves while Linda, the unsuspecting victim, is standing before the chalkboard pointing to the drawing of a whale that would dub her "Blubber". As a child, I laughed. But a few years later I was crying, I still cry when I pick this book up. This taught me the Golden Rule: Do onto others as you would onto you. Girls are caddy and mean, whether you're in grade school or as an adult. There will be jealous comments, backstabbing, greed and ugliness. And you can go along with it like the followers in this book, or you can be the best person you can be and rise above. You can lash out at others, or you can give of yourself the love that no one gave them. Practice forgiveness, be good to others, and don't follow just because someone says so or because it's easy. As this is a kid's book, it turns it around and shows you what it's like when Jill suddenly becomes the victim. It's not fun. Besides, those who cause such terrible things will continue to cause terrible things and hurt others. They will be the ones going through misery for most of their lives. And don't worry, when you go to your high school reunions, they'll get divorced and fat and have delinquent kids just as bad as they were.

BLUBBER is a PHAT book to read!!

Judy Blume is the author of Blubber. It takes place in Mrs. Minish's classroom in 5th grade. It begins in Mrs. Minish's class while they were doing their reports. This one student, Linda Fischer, did a report on whales. She mentioned that whales have a thick layer of blubber that keep them warm and being that she was kinda of chubby all the kids called her Blubber from then on. Jill, protagonist, Caroline, and Wendy, antagonist always made fun of her and did mean things to her. In the bathroom they made her take off most of her cloths and another time they made her eat chocolate covered ants. The teacher was out of the room most of the time, so they were able to play around a lot. Well it turns out that Wendy using Linda and acts like her friend just to get Jill mad just because of some incident that happened at Halloween. Tracy and Jill stayed best friends. Caroline and Donna were still friends and Wendy and Linda became friends. I thought this book was good over all because is showed what really goes on in school when the teacher isn't around and that you can't always trust your friends. I would recommend this book to 5th graders because it is easy reading and tells you about things that 5th graders like to do to other classmates.

Wake up and smell the coffee

I'm in the sixth grade and guess what? Real life is like this book! In fact, in my class, it's been like that for a while now. Adults may think it is cruel, mean, even horrifying how badly Wendy and all of the others treat Linda, but in reality, thousands of kids are tormented and teased everyday, and not just for being overweight. The teacher and parents in this book did act a little naive, but I got Judy Blume's point. I also can understand Jill, the bystander who gets pulled into the teasing of Linda. Wendy never gets what she deserves, but that is also a lesson that teachers and faculty should punish children like her. Overall, I thought this was an excellent book and totally got Judy Blume's point. I picked up this book because it was by Judy Blume and was not disappointed.Oh, and about the swears. Have you ever heard a conversation between two 11 or 12 year olds? Kids swear a lot these days.

A realistic look at bullying and peer pressure.

Kids can be cruel. It's a cliche, but it most certainly has some truth behind it. And no author better portrayed the mentality behind bullying better than Judy Blume did in "Blubber." The protaganist of "Blubber", Jill, is just an average girl who joins her class in the persecution of an overweight girl, Linda. She goes along with this persecution because she wants to fit in with her classmates and because of the sheer "fun" of it. It's real life, and anyone who has experienced Junior High School will recognize this vicious cycle of bullies, follow-the-leaders, and victims. This is not a sitcom. There is no contrived happy ending or clear-cut victory for anyone. Linda is not a particularly likeable character. The ringleader of the bullies, Wendy, never gets her comeuppence. It's real life. Bullies get away with being creeps, and not every victim is a wonderful person. "Blubber" is a disturbing, but honest book.

i am linda...

for anyone reading this,i'm basically linda. im a 5th grader,and im 169 pounds.when i heard about this book i thought"hey,im not alone."and i dont eat too much.the only thing is that i wished linda narratted it.and you adults, kid ARE that mean.ive been teased since 1st grade.it hurts.a whole lot.