Judy Blume

Read the excerpt: Fighting back against censorship

August 26, 1999
Web posted at: 2:38 p.m. EDT (1838 GMT)

(CNN) -- Judy Blume, well-known for her young adult novels, has edited a new book entitled "Places I Never Meant To Be: Original Stories by Censored Writers."

Blume has long been active in issues of intellectual freedom and hopes the new work will raise public awareness of the effects of censorship on writers and readers.

"If those of us who care about making our own decisions about what to read and what to think don't take a stand, others will decide for us. I've never been one to let others decide what's right for me or my children," Blume says.

Twelve writers of young adult fiction contributed to the work, including David Klass, Julius Lester, Chris Lynch, Harry Mazer, Norma Fox Mazer, Walter Dean Myers, Katherine Paterson, Susan Beth Pfeffer, Rachel Vail, Jacqueline Woodson and Paul Zindel. In addition to a story, each included a note explaining the effect of censorship on his or her work. A story by the late Norma Klein was added by Blume.

"There was no way I could edit a book of short stories by contemporary writers whose work has been banned or challenged regularly without including Norma," Blume says. "She spoke out against censorship throughout her career. Often, our books were challenged at the same time. We became a team, with the opposing cheerleaders chanting 'Get rid of Klein and Blume books!'"

Blume shares her experiences with censorship in the introduction. She tells of the first time she was censored as a reader as well as the first time she was censored as an author.

"Are You There God? Its Me, Margaret," was published in 1970. It dealt with a young girl's feelings toward menstruation, religion and growing up. It became an immediate target for censorship.

"I gave three copies to my children's elementary school but the books never reached the shelves," Blume says. "The male principal decided on his own that they were inappropriate for elementary school readers because of the discussion of menstruation.... Then one night the phone rang and a woman asked if I was the one who had written that book. When I replied that I was, she called me a communist and hung up. I never did figure out if she equated communism with menstruation or religion."

Blume says she is very pleased by the variety of stories and the personal statements by "Places I Never Meant To Be" contributors.

Looking back at her work and the frank way in which she discussed sexuality, Blume seems pleased. "From what my early readers, now in their 20s and 30s, tell me, I guess I should be pleased," she says. "They say I helped them develop a healthy attitude toward their own sexuality at a time when no one was talking to them about their feelings or answering their questions. If my books have helped them become sexually responsible adults, good. If my books have given young women permission to celebrate their sexuality in a healthy way, better yet!"

"Places I never Meant To Be" is published by Simon and Schuster. All proceeds from the book will be donated to the National Coalition Against Censorship.