At last a biography of Judy Blume that is worthy of its subject. Oppenheimer is a masterful chronicler of Blumes remarkable life and extraordinary impact. Writers and readers alike will leave this work emboldened, inspired, and encouraged. -- Tayari Jones, bestselling author of An American Marriage Paints a picture of a diligent, driven writer seeking a unique voice A buoyant biography of a writer who redefined young peoples literature. * Kirkus Reviews * If you are one of the millions of Judy Blumes readers who ever wondered, What is she like in real life? this book is for you. Judy Blume: A Life is charming, candid, thoughtful, and funny, and perfectly tuned to the zeitgeist of her time, just like her bestselling novels. -- Debby Applegate, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, author of Madam: The Biography of Polly Adler, Icon of the Jazz Age A masterpiece of biography, brilliantly illuminating the life of a masterful storyteller. Blume held an unflinching light upon the challenges of growing up and a clear-eyed gaze on the adult world around her as she turned lifes trials into literature for multiple generations. Oppenheimer deftly captures Blumes fearlessness in exposing her own vulnerabilities in her books and opens a wider lens to bring the reader into Blumes personal life as she transforms from Sheila the Great to Wifey to tireless censorship activist. -- Amy Gary, author of In the Great Green Room: The Brilliant and Bold Life of Margaret Wise Brown At last, a real Judy Blume biography is here! and its just as warm and interesting and wonderful as you want it to be. Written in a clear and welcoming voice that will sound familiar to anyone whos ever loved a Judy Blume book, Mark Oppenheimers comprehensive and extensively researched biography brings to vivid life the ups and sometimes downs of the groundbreaking author who made Sheila and Peter and Margaret and Fudge feel like real people, with real problems, to generations of readers. Deftly written and packed with stories youve never heard before including tantalising glimpses of stories that never saw the light of day Mark Oppenheimers Judy Blume is thoughtful, often funny, and never afraid to be reflective or critical just like Judy Blume herself. -- Brian Jay Jones, author of Becoming Dr. Seuss This beautiful biography reminded me of the gratitude I always felt reading Judy Blumes books to my daughters, with their good-humoured portraits of quirky kids and quirky parents doing their best in a stressful world. Oppenheimer brings an insightful, clear-eyed, generous spirit to his portrait, worthy of its subject. * Jonathan Rosen, author of The Best Minds: A Story of Friendship, Madness, and the Tragedy of Good Intentions * What a lovely, tender, and thoughtful book! As a child of the 1970s, I read this almost as avidly as I once read the works of Judy Blume herself. Mark Oppenheimer has captured not only the story but the spirit of Blume as an author, mentor, mother, and fully realised human being. This pairing of biographer and subject has produced something special. -- Beverly Gage, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Biography for G-Man: J. Edgar Hoover and the Making of the American Century Always engaging, and often surprising, Mark Oppenheimers deep dive into the life of one of the most beloved authors of the past century is long overdue. Though Judy Blume will no about draft off of widespread nostalgia for the groundbreaking novelist (it sent me running to my collection of Blumes books to revisit old favourites) its also an inspiring tale of one womans abiding belief in herself. An absolute delight. -- Anna Holmes, author of The Book of Jezebel: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Lady Things In this biography, her fearlessness and radical honesty, the startling realism of her complicated, imperfect characters and her struggles to be true to her artistic vision are explored with great rigour and sensitivity. A fascinating read. -- Kate Forsyth * The Saturday Paper * Blumes books not only hinted at things to come, they gently showed that a complicated life was also a life fully lived. Oppenheimers biography, in all its all-ness, suggests the same. -- Simmone Howell * The Sydney Morning Herald * [ A] thoughtful, detailed, and nuanced biography It seems almost inevitable that all evidence points to Blume being the cool, honest, and empathetic ally readers would expect from the creator of characters as memorable as Margaret, Peter, and Fudge. Oppenheimers first biography is engaging, revealing, satisfying, and a fitting tribute. -- Booklist, starred review Theres nothing better than a biography written by someone who not only loves their subject but who has studied it as deeply as possible What more is there to say about why this book is so exciting for fans of childrens and adolescent (and adult!) literature? * Book Riot * Praise for Squirrel Hill:
Propulsive A poignant, deeply researched account of the Pittsburgh Jewish neighbourhood in the aftermath of tragedy. Oppenheimer sets the scene with details even those familiar with the story might forget He does a lovely job of bringing the essence of this charming, walkable place to life How Mister Rogers Neighborhood became the site of the most deadly antisemitic attack on American soil and what happened afterward unfold with the precision of the best suspense stories Oppenheimer is sympathetic to the ways Jewish culture stands at the crossroads of proud resistance and self-protective withdrawal, bold activism and self-effacement. The people he highlights are treated with a knowing, affectionate wink, a landsmans recognition. -- Irina Reyn * The New York Times * Praise for Squirrel Hill:
Compelling A well-researched book Mr Oppenheimer brings more expertise and knowledge to this project than most journalists or authors could, without being too close to his subject or blinded by his own pain or grief. He chose to focus on the community and its response to the shootings, and he chose well There are important lessons to be learned from Squirrel Hill, and we have Mark Oppenheimer to thank for capturing them in this readable and important book. -- Jared Cohon * The Wall Street Journal * Praise for Wisenheimer:
An intimate look at the high school team no, not the football team the debate team! You think only physical athletes make interesting subjects, try mental athletes. Who knew? In part a play by play look at the game. In part a story of one Wisenheimer, and his transition from high school star, to starting all over as a lowly freshman at Yale. I was happy to follow him on his exceptional journey. -- Judy Blume, bestselling author of Summer Sisters
