We love Judy Blume. You love Judy Blume. Who DOESN’T love Judy Blume?! So when the writer recently mentioned that she’s considering adapting her classic books for the big and/or small screen, we kinda freaked out.
On August 2, she tweeted: “So which of my books, kids and/or adult would you want to see adapted for series or movie? I ask because I’m in LA meeting with many talented people. I think the time has come.” The time has definitely come, Judy!! And we have five suggestions for you:
1. Fudge as an animated series on Netflix
The five-book series — Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge, Fudge-a-Mania, and Double Fudge — are ripe for a binge-able TV show. This would be perfect as a Netflix series, because each season could focus on a different book. They’re all about family, and brothers, and friendships, and figuring life out. Like with many of Blume’s books, they are still beloved. (And we’ve re-read them so many times, we would love to be able to watch them.)
2. Wifey as a prestige limited series on HBO
Wifey, Blume’s first adult drama, needs the Big Little Lies treatment on HBO. The plot summary is amazing: “Sandy Pressman is a nice suburban wife whose boredom is getting the best of her. She could be making friends at the club, like her husband keeps encouraging her to do. Or working on her golf game. Or getting her hair done. But for some reason, these things don’t interest her as much as the naked man on the motorcycle…” Doesn’t this scream to be a period drama (1970s New Jersey!) on HBO?
3. Starring Sally J. Freedman As Herself should be adapted into an Oscar-worthy biopic of Judy Blume
This novel is Blume’s most autobiographical, focusing on late 1940s America. It deals with anti-Semitism, racial segregation, fake Hitlers, and family drama. Blume has said, “Sally is the kind of kid I was at ten.” Close your eyes and picture a biopic of Judy Blume. Opening scene: she sits down to write Starring Sally J. Freedman, and flashes back to her own childhood. It would be a beautiful portrait of Jewish American life in the aftermath of the Holocaust, framed through one of Blume’s most iconic books.
4. Summer Sisters as a CW series
Summer Sisters tells the tale of Vix and Caitlin, friends who have drifted apart. (Think Elena Ferrante’s My Beautiful Friend, but American.) The story starts when Vix finds out Caitlin is marring her first love, Bru. The CW — with its sexy scenes (have you *watched* Jane the Virgin!?) plus soapy drama (looking at you, Gossip Girl) — would be the perfect network to adapt this. By focusing on Caitlin and Vix’s high school and college lives — and the messy, messy love triangle — we would 100% tune in weekly.
5. Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
Last but definitely not least: Blume’s iconic book has to be made into a movie. There’s so much to impact here: puberty, periods, plus deep questions about religion and belonging. Why isn’t this a film yet with a bajillion Oscars? Let’s make this happen!
