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| Death, sex and grief: Judy Blume finally hits cinemas with Tiger Eyes film | |
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| For decades she has been a heroine to generations of young women who have used her bestselling books as guides through the perils of adolescence, even as her frank discussions of sexuality and puberty have outraged social conservatives. | For decades she has been a heroine to generations of young women who have used her bestselling books as guides through the perils of adolescence, even as her frank discussions of sexuality and puberty have outraged social conservatives. |
| But Judy Blume's legions of fans, who have bought books such as Forever, Blubber and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret in their millions, have so far been denied seeing her work translated to the big screen. | But Judy Blume's legions of fans, who have bought books such as Forever, Blubber and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret in their millions, have so far been denied seeing her work translated to the big screen. |
| In an age when Hollywood will turn even a theme-park ride into a movie, the lack of films based on works by such a prolific and globally famous author has been an enduring mystery of the entertainment industry. However, Blume's time has finally come. | In an age when Hollywood will turn even a theme-park ride into a movie, the lack of films based on works by such a prolific and globally famous author has been an enduring mystery of the entertainment industry. However, Blume's time has finally come. |
| To the huge excitement of Blume's followers, a film version of her 1981 book Tiger Eyes is being released in the United States. It tells the story of a young girl relocating to New Mexico after her father's death, where she meets a good-looking Native American boy called Wolf. It features Willa Holland as the leading character, Davey; and Tatanka Means as her love interest. But, in typical Blume style, its adult themes of death, loss and dislocation are set to put it far above run-of-the-mill movies aimed at younger audiences. | To the huge excitement of Blume's followers, a film version of her 1981 book Tiger Eyes is being released in the United States. It tells the story of a young girl relocating to New Mexico after her father's death, where she meets a good-looking Native American boy called Wolf. It features Willa Holland as the leading character, Davey; and Tatanka Means as her love interest. But, in typical Blume style, its adult themes of death, loss and dislocation are set to put it far above run-of-the-mill movies aimed at younger audiences. |
| "Judy Blume has been an untapped resource," said Carolyn Kellogg, who writes about books for the Los Angeles Times. "She deals with controversial issues in a straightforward way, but she does not preach about it to her readership. Kids like to be treated as if they can make their own decisions, and that's what she does so well." | "Judy Blume has been an untapped resource," said Carolyn Kellogg, who writes about books for the Los Angeles Times. "She deals with controversial issues in a straightforward way, but she does not preach about it to her readership. Kids like to be treated as if they can make their own decisions, and that's what she does so well." |
| That style has made Blume a favourite author to many. But it has also earned her a reputation for controversy in works where she frankly depicts losing one's virginity, having a first period or wondering about religion. Her most famous book is perhaps Forever, which came out in 1975 and immediately created a stir over its depictions of young sexuality. Blubber anticipated today's fierce debates over bullying by almost four decades and includes disturbing scenes where the central character's assailants try to tear her clothes off. In Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Blume deals with religion, buying a first bra and the onset of menstruation. | That style has made Blume a favourite author to many. But it has also earned her a reputation for controversy in works where she frankly depicts losing one's virginity, having a first period or wondering about religion. Her most famous book is perhaps Forever, which came out in 1975 and immediately created a stir over its depictions of young sexuality. Blubber anticipated today's fierce debates over bullying by almost four decades and includes disturbing scenes where the central character's assailants try to tear her clothes off. In Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Blume deals with religion, buying a first bra and the onset of menstruation. |
| Tiger Eyes – while not being as controversial as some other works – still cuts close to the bone with its description of the difficulty of being young. Davey's father is killed in a shooting and its themes of utter loss and the bleakness of grief are heart-wrenching, especially when combined with the adolescent awakening of sexual attraction to Wolf. | Tiger Eyes – while not being as controversial as some other works – still cuts close to the bone with its description of the difficulty of being young. Davey's father is killed in a shooting and its themes of utter loss and the bleakness of grief are heart-wrenching, especially when combined with the adolescent awakening of sexual attraction to Wolf. |
| Blume's works are frequently the target of social conservatives who eschew themes about sex and religion and tough family issues in works aimed at a young audience. There is a long history of fights with schools and libraries to keep her books available and on the shelves – a struggle that Blume herself has championed. "These are topics that a lot of people would rather prefer don't exist. But Judy Blume has been an incredibly staunch and principled defender of free expression," said Joan Bertin, president of the National Coalition Against Censorship, which has frequently worked with Blume on such issues. | Blume's works are frequently the target of social conservatives who eschew themes about sex and religion and tough family issues in works aimed at a young audience. There is a long history of fights with schools and libraries to keep her books available and on the shelves – a struggle that Blume herself has championed. "These are topics that a lot of people would rather prefer don't exist. But Judy Blume has been an incredibly staunch and principled defender of free expression," said Joan Bertin, president of the National Coalition Against Censorship, which has frequently worked with Blume on such issues. |
| Bertin has already seen the Tiger Eyes film, which is directed by Blume's son, Lawrence Blume. "I really enjoyed it. It is well done, engaging and true to her vision," she said. | Bertin has already seen the Tiger Eyes film, which is directed by Blume's son, Lawrence Blume. "I really enjoyed it. It is well done, engaging and true to her vision," she said. |
| Blume's break on to the big screen comes at a time when turning young adult books into movies is spectacularly big business. Franchises such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Twilight show that youthful audiences are eager to pay big bucks – or get their parents to pay big bucks – for tickets to see their favourite reading turned into films. | Blume's break on to the big screen comes at a time when turning young adult books into movies is spectacularly big business. Franchises such as Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Twilight show that youthful audiences are eager to pay big bucks – or get their parents to pay big bucks – for tickets to see their favourite reading turned into films. |
| The film comes at a time of exploding interest in young adult books. In the past year more than a dozen publishers have launched or announced young adult imprints in genres ranging from thrillers to craft-making guides. "It is about money. Everyone is trying to go after the young adult audience now," said Kellogg. | The film comes at a time of exploding interest in young adult books. In the past year more than a dozen publishers have launched or announced young adult imprints in genres ranging from thrillers to craft-making guides. "It is about money. Everyone is trying to go after the young adult audience now," said Kellogg. |
| Even though The Hunger Games features children fighting to death in ritualised combat and Twilight has vampires stalking teens in high school, it is Blume's depictions of the reality of modern childhood that are still the most likely to stir up controversy. | Even though The Hunger Games features children fighting to death in ritualised combat and Twilight has vampires stalking teens in high school, it is Blume's depictions of the reality of modern childhood that are still the most likely to stir up controversy. |
| "Bullying, menstruation and questioning whether God exists; for some segments of the American population that is too much. They think that kids should just be given a nice story," said Bertin. | "Bullying, menstruation and questioning whether God exists; for some segments of the American population that is too much. They think that kids should just be given a nice story," said Bertin. |