Deenie
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| Deenie | |
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| Author | Judy Blume |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Young adult novel |
| Publisher | Bradbury Press |
| Publication date | 1973 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 160 pp |
| ISBN | ISBN 0-87888-061-5 |
Deenie (1973) is a book written by Judy Blume.
Contents |
[edit] Plot summary
Deenie chronicles the life of a thirteen year old girl with scoliosis. Her mother has high expectations for Deenie's sister and her but neither of them want to be what their mother wants for them. Her mother wants Deenie to be a model and is in the process of trying to establish her daughter in the business when her scoliosis is discovered. Deenie's sixteen year-old sister, Helen, is extremely smart and is being pressured by her mother to become a doctor or lawyer. Deenie's mother also places a lot of pressure on her to become a model.
The title character is named after the role Natalie Wood played in Splendor in the Grass.
[edit] Reception
This book, like many others written by Blume, has been banned in schools for themes deemed inappropriate for adolescents; in this case, talk about masturbation and sexuality. Deenie is on the American Library Association list of the 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 1990-2000 at forty-sixth. [1]
The passages that are most frequently cited as reasons for removing the book from libraries are: "[That week] I touched my special place practically every night. It was the only way I could fall asleep and besides, it felt good." [p. 90] and "Usually I take a shower and get out as fast as I can, but I liked the feeling of relaxation and I rubbed my special spot with my wash cloth until I got that special feeling." [pg.97] These, along with a discussion about menstruation and masturbation on the following few pages led by a gym teacher, are the core of the objections to the novel. The book is otherwise usually described as insightful and accurate in portraying a young girl dealing with her diagnosis of scoliosis, as well as coming of age.
[edit] Characters
- Deenie - The main protagonist.
- Aunt Rae - Deenie's mother's best friend
- Janet - One of Deenie's best friends
- Midge - Another of Deenie's best friends
- Helen - Deenie's sister
- Buddy Brader - A boy Deenie has a crush on.
- Steve - A boy Janet has a crush on.
- Harvey - The President of the School and also Janet's love interest
- Mom - Deenie's mother.
- Dad - Deenie's father.
- Joe - Works at the garage with Deenie's father. Has a brief love interlude with Helen until he is fired.
- Barbara - a friend of Deenie's who suffers from eczema.
[edit] Other Judy Blume works
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