Cannonball Read 18

Sticking It to Cancer One Book at a Time


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It is not a Pain to read about this Great One

Otherwise Known as Judy the Great: A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume by Selina Alko

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Perhaps I should have waited to add Otherwise Known as Judy the Great: A Poetic Ode to Judy Blume by Selina Alko to my Best of This Year Reads list, but I did not know I was going to read it when I put my list together. Besides, it is all good as I will let you know here how FREAKING awesome this book is now. Due in February 2026 (perfectly timed as Blume’s birthday is the 12th of February) this book is set up […]

“I made promises to you that I’m not sure I can keep.”

Forever... by Judy Blume

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Most years I try to read a banned or challenged book as part of Banned Books week (which I’m VERY late for this year). There are many reasons I do it, but one of the most important is that I want there to be library requests in my system for these books as its one way to help keep challenged books on shelves (there are lots more suggestions for actions in this Book Riot article). This year I was having a tough time deciding what book to choose as I’ve been struggling in the past few years […]

This kid’s worse than a villain

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

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I’m a little embarrased to admit that I’d never read a Judy Blume book. I know Superfudge and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret were big hits when I was growing up. But I never picked them up, despite the fact I read a lot at that age. And now, I have a son in 4th grade. And he was reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. So I decided to read it too. And here’s my takeaway: Fudge is a terrible human being. […]

“We must, we must, we must increase our bust!”

Are you there God? It's me Margaret. by Judy Blume

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With the new film adaptation out, I thought it would be fun to reread my childhood favorite Are you there God? It’s me Margaret by Judy Blume. I was wondering if it would still hold up. I have been disappointed in the past. I did not enjoy Little Women and O Pioneers! when I read them as an adult. Well, this time was different. I enjoyed this book as an adult reader. I am also looking forward to seeing the new film. Are you there […]

‘The ocean was exactly as she’d imagined it’

Summer Sisters (1998) by Judy Blume

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CBR14 BINGO square: Shadow. (Holiday would be too easy.) Judy Blume’s Summer Sisters (1998) is a mood, a vibe, an energy, rather than a novel. It’s the salty taste of chips (or fries) and the soft sweetness of ice cream and the sharp chill of a vodka and cranberry with ice. It’s a long slow afternoon by the shore, a long slow stare into the shadows of the past. It’s strawberry lipgloss and windblown hair and new yellow swimsuits and singing along to ABBA and holding […]

Young at Heart with Judy Blume

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

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Reading Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume was a walk down memory. I read this for our Cannon Book Club Young at Heart meeting in April since it was the shortest! Alas, it took me a ridiculously long time to listen to the audiobook. I made the mistake of listening in bed when tired from work. I went right to sleep! Tales kicked off this popular book series about Peter and his little brother Fudge. Peter wants to hang out with his friends and have […]



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