21 Judy Blume Books That Should Be in Your Classroom Library

Oh, Fudge!

Teachers' favorite Judy Blume books.

Judy Blume books are beloved by generations for a reason. The iconic, best-selling author crafted heart-warming tales for younger children that are filled with humor and honesty and reveal what it’s really like to be a little kid figuring out the world. Her ground-breaking middle grade books were among the first to tackle previously taboo subjects like racism, bullying, and spirituality. Although those themes sometimes lead to controversy (like a recent attempt to ban two of her books from school libraries in Texas), they’re also what make each story so entertaining and impactful.

Here are our favorite, most delightful, and important Judy Blume books (in chronological order) that belong in everyone’s classroom library.

(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page.)

The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo

Book cover of The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo by Judy Blume

Freddy feels like a “great big middle nothing” stuck right in the middle between his big brother and little sister, so when the opportunity to star in the school play and finally shine comes up, Freddy jumps!

Buy now: The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo/ Amazon and The One in the Middle is the Green Kangaroo/ Bookshop

Iggie’s House

Book cover of Iggies House by Judy Blume

Iggie’s House, originally published in 1970, tells the story of a Black family that moves into a white neighborhood and sixth-grader Winnie, who wants to be their friend.

Buy now: Iggie’s House/ Amazon and Iggie’s House/ Bookshop

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Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Book cover of Are You There God It's Me Margaret by Judy Blume

Sixth-grader Margaret doesn’t come from a religious family, but she talks to God about everything from friends and family to who she has a crush on.

Buy now: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret/ Amazon and Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret/ Bookshop

Then Again, Maybe I Won’t

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Book cover of Then Again Maybe I Won't by Judy Blume

Thirteen-year-old Tony Miglione gives us a glimpse into the mind of an adolescent boy trying to figure out the real world.

Buy now: Then Again, Maybe I Won’t/ Amazon and Then Again, Maybe I Won’t/ Bookshop

Freckle Juice

Book cover of Freckle Juice by Judy Blume

Andrew wants to have freckles just like his friend Nicky. But when his know-it-all classmate Sharon sells him her secret recipe for freckle juice for fifty cents, it turns out to be a disaster. Will Andrew come up with a way to get his freckles and show them all?

Buy now: Freckle Juice/ Amazon and Freckle Juice/ Bookshop

It’s Not the End of the World

Book cover of Its Not the End of the World by Judy Blume

Sixth-grader Karen feels like her world is ending because her parents are getting divorced. What can she do to keep them together?

Buy now: It’s Not the End of the World/ Amazon and It’s Not the End of the World/ Bookshop

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Book cover of Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

Peter Hatcher has a two-year-old terror for a little brother. Fudge is constantly pesky and disruptive, but when he walks away with his brother’s pet turtle, it’s the last straw for Peter.

Buy now: Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing/ Amazon and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing/ Bookshop

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

Book cover of Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

City girl Sheila Tubman is excited when her parents tell her they will be spending the summer in the country. Appearing brave and confident, but secretly full of insecurities, will Sheila survive the summer and tackle her fears?

Buy now: Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great/ Amazon and Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great/ Bookstore

Deenie

Book cover of Deenie by Judy Blume

Seventh-grader Deenie just wants to be an ordinary middle school girl. But when she is diagnosed with scoliosis, she is suddenly faced with doctor’s visits, body stockings, and worst of all, a terrifying body brace.

Buy now: Deenie/ Amazon and Deenie/ Bookshop

The Pain and the Great One

Book cover of The Pain and the Great One by Judy Blume

Eight-year-old “The Great One” and her six-year-old brother “The Pain” take sibling rivalry to new levels as they compete to be their parents’ favorite. Told in two parts—one from each sib’s point of view—each of them is convinced that they come out ahead in the end.

Buy now: The Pain and the Great One/ Amazon and The Pain and the Great One/ Bookshop

Blubber

Book cover of Blubber by Judy Blume

One of Blume’s best-selling books, Blubber is a timeless take on middle school bullying and how quickly thoughtless words can cause damage.

Buy now: Blubber/ Amazon and Blubber/ Bookshop

Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself

Book cover of Starring Sally J Freedman as Herself by Judy Blume

A poignant story about a fifth-grade girl who tackles post-World War II life with endless curiosity, a wild imagination, and lots of humor.

Buy now: Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself/ Amazon and Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself/ Bookshop

Superfudge

Book cover of Superfudge by Judy Blume

Peter Hatcher thought he had his hands full with pesky little brother Fudge, but now his parents tell him they are going to have another baby…and move to New Jersey for a whole year! How will Peter possibly survive?

Buy now: Superfudge/ Amazon and Superfudge/ Bookshop

Just As Long As We’re Together

Book cover of Just as Long as We're Together by Judy Blume

Twelve-year-old Stephanie finds herself caught miserably in the middle between her longtime best friend Rachel and new girl Alison.

Buy now: Just As Long As We’re Together/ Amazon and Just As Long As We’re Together/ Bookshop

Fudge-a-Mania

Book cover of Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume

Peter’s little brother Fudge is now five years old and in love with Peter’s nemesis, Sheila Tubman. So when Peter finds out his family is renting the house next door to the Tubmans for three whole weeks over the summer, he’s not sure he’ll survive.

Buy now: Fudge-a-Mania/ Amazon and Fudge-a-Mania/ Bookshop

Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson

Book cover of Here's to You Rachel Robinson by Judy Blume

Seventh-grader Rachel is a straight-A student, a talented musician, and an awesome friend. But she has a hard time holding her perfect life together when her big brother gets kicked out of boarding school and comes home.

Buy now: Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson/ Amazon and Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson/ Bookshop

Double Fudge

Book cover of Double Fudge by Judy Blume

In the final book in Blume’s Fudge series, Peter Hatcher runs into double trouble dealing with his pesky little brother Fudge and his mini-me cousin.

Buy now: Double Fudge/ Amazon and Double Fudge/ Bookshop

Soupy Saturdays with the Pain & the Great One

Book cover of Soupy Saturdays by Judy Blume

Seven short tales from the brother/sister team of The Pain and The Great One reveal the everyday love/hate relationship between siblings with humor and warmth.

Buy now: Soupy Saturdays with the Pain & the Great One/ Amazon and Soupy Saturdays with the Pain & the Great One/ Bookshop

Going, Going, Gone! with the Pain & the Great One

Book cover of Going Going Gone by Judy Blume

More adventures with the Pain and the Great One as they travel to the beach, the mall, and even the emergency room.

Buy now: Going, Going, Gone! with the Pain & the Great One/ Amazon and Going, Going, Gone! with the Pain & the Great One/ Bookshop

Cool Zone with the Pain & the Great One

Book cover of Cool Zone by Judy Blume

Even though the road is not always smooth for this brother/sister team at home, they know deep down that they’ll always have each other’s back, especially at school.

Buy now: Cool Zone with the Pain & the Great One/ Amazon and Cool Zone with the Pain & the Great One/ Bookshop

Friend or Fiend? with the Pain & the Great One

Book cover of Friend or Fiend by Judy Blume

Sometimes the relationship between siblings can be complicated. Sassy siblings Abigail and Jake are devoted to one another even as they ride the roller coaster between fun and joy and conflict and disagreement.

Buy now: Friend or Fiend? with the Pain & the Great One/ Amazon and Friend or Fiend? with the Pain & the Great One/ Bookshop

Do you have favorite Judy Blume books? Share in the comments below.

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And check out 15 Great Short Stories to Teach in Middle School.

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