Deenie

Judy Blume's classic middle grade novel, Deenie, follows 13-year-old Wilmadeene Fenner, whose mother's modeling aspirations for her clash with a life-altering scoliosis diagnosis. Deenie must wear a full body brace for years, forcing her to re-evaluate her identity, friendships, and future. The book sensitively explores themes of body image, parental pressure, sibling relationships, and finding self-acceptance amidst adversity. It also includes frank discussions about puberty, including menstruation and masturbation, which have historically made it a frequently challenged book. This is a powerful read for children aged 8-12, particularly those grappling with physical differences or parental expectations.

Deenie’s mother wants her to be a model, with her face on magazine covers—maybe even in the movies—but Deenie wants to spend Saturdays with her friends Janet and Midge, tracking Harvey Grabowsky, the captain of the football team, around Woolworth’s. She wants to be a cheerleader, too, and go to the seventh-grade mixer to hear Buddy Brader play his drums. Instead, Deenie is diagnosed with scoliosis. And that means body stockings to squeeze into, a roomful of strangers to face, and a terrifying brace that she’ll need to wear for years that goes from her neck to her hips. Suddenly Deenie has to cope with a kind of specialness that’s frightening—and might be hers forever.