Deenie

Author Q&A

Judy Blume talks about writing
Deenie

I met a lively fourteen year old with scoliosis. She seemed to be adjusting well to her condition and her brace but her mother was in tears over the situation. The basic idea for the book came from that meeting. But I invented the characters and the family. I set the book in the town where I grew up – Elizabeth, New Jersey–and sent Deenie and her friends to my junior high school. I think of the story as one about parental expectations. Deenie’s mother says: Deenie’s the beauty, Helen’s the brain. What happens when a parent pigeon-holes her children that way?

Since I wrote the book new ways of treating scoliosis have been developed, though some patients still wear the Milwaukee Brace. If you need up-to-date info try www.iscoliosis.com or www.scoliosislife.net. You can also try the Scoliosis Association, Inc. an international Information and Support Organization: (800) 800-0669 or www.scoliosis-assoc.org.

I’m looking forward to a movie based on Deenie. The film hasn’t been cast yet but if you stay tuned to my website I’ll keep you updated. www.judyblume.com.