Penny's Reviews and Chat

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday: Judy Blume's 
 Then Again Maybe I Won't and Deenie

Dear Readers,

I hope I never run out of Judy Blume’s MG novels. This one is about the other two novels in a three-fer published in Great Britain in 1979. I found it online searching for more of Judy Blume’s MG books. I paid more in postage than for the book!

I’ve reviewed the first of the three novels, It’s Not the End of the World, last Monday. This post covers the last two, Then Again Maybe I Won’t and Deenie.

 

I usually read about middle grade girls, but Then Again Maybe I Won’t is about a seventh grade boy, Tony Miglione. His problem is sudden wealth. Generally, we don’t think of that as a problem. Winning the lottery, inheriting wealth, striking it rich with an invention or a marketable idea—these seem like manageable problems. However, in Tony’s world it means huge life-altering changes.

 

When his father's invention leads to instant wealth, Tony's family moves from a middle class working neighborhood to a much wealthier neighborhood. He goes to a new school, and has to make new friends. One of his well-off new friends, Joel, who lives next door, is a shoplifter, which literally makes Tony sick to his stomach.

 

Next. Tony’s mother hires a maid/cook to help her manage her much bigger house. Tony's Grandma lives with them and had the job of cook, but with the new maid taking over, Grandma has no job, no purpose, so no reason to leave her room. Tony sees the injustice and pain in that, but he’s enjoying the perks of more money. He gets an allowance so he can go to the movies and buy things for himself. His Christmas list is a real gift list, not a wish list.

We want Tony to do the right thing, but can he, will he? As he learns more about himself and what he values, he does do the right thing, to a certain extent. One 'tween boy can’t fix all the problems he sees in their new life, but he stays pretty true to himself. Even if your economic situation changes, you still have to live with yourself, so knowing who you are, where you come from, and what’s important to you is the best way to learn, grow and be on the right path.  This is a good book for middle grade boys who have sticky situations to deal with the problems to overcome.

 

The second story is about a Deenie, a 'tween with such a lovely face that her mother pushes her to become a model. In one model agency interview her walk and her “posture” seems to be an issue. Then her gym teacher notices something amiss, too. After visits to several specialists, Deenie gets the diagnosis—scoliosis, which means she’ll have to wear a back brace for four years to help her spine straighten out as she grows through her adolescent growth spurt. 

 

The brace is uncomfortable and ugly. It happens during her tween and teen years—awkward social years to be looking even more awkward. Not to mention dashing or at least putting on hold her mother’s plans for Deenie’s modeling career.

How does Deenie deal with this problem? She learns more about herself; plus, she and her sister Helen become closer. Their mother has pushed both of them in career directions without considering what her girls might want or choose for themselves. Deenie learns to stand up for herself and to speak her mind.

Both stories help 'tweens to see they’re not alone. Everyone has problems to deal with. How they handle the problems and obstacles show their grit, their maturity, their resilience—their character. I highly recommend all of Judy Blume’s middle grade books. Even though written 30 years ago, they’re just as relevant today as they were then.

Read more about this important middle grade author:  www.judyblume.com

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Tags:

Judy Blume, Middle Grade, Tweens, adolescence, challenges, choices, learning, growing, character, Then Again Maybe I Won't, Tony, Deenie,