Blume, Judy, (1975). Forever. New York: Pocket Books. ISBN: 0671695304. 220 pages.

Summary and Evaluation: Katherine's got a boyfriend. His name is Michael, and over their senior year they become inseperable. It's Katherine's first true love and involves more than just handholding. Katherine has her first real sexual experiences with Michael. Though they say it's forever (hence the title), the old adage "absence makes the heart grow fonder" doesn't work in their case. When seperated for the summer, Katherine develops feelings for someone else.

Now over thirty years old, Blume has added an author's note to the newest editions to inform her readers that pregnancy is no longer the only possible consequence of sex. This book is widely in print and widely debated. By some, the book is lauded for it's frank and informational discussion of teenage sexuality. By others, it is criticized and banned for these same reasons.

Like other books by Judy Blume, the writing is quick and straightforward. She goes after her topic of first love from its early beginning to its sad end. Weaving in the secondary narratives of Katherine's friend Erica who wants to go further with the ever-theatrical Artie, and promiscuous Sybils pregnancy, Blume offers her readers other types of teenage relationships.

Still, this book is about sex which is clear from the very first line of the book. I have a clear and vivid memory of reading that line over the shoulder of a friend in front of my house one day during junior high. I have a similar memory of reading V.C. Andrew's book Flowers in the Attic. Both books carry with them "forbidden" appeal. At the time, I never read more than that first line of Forever, but I did become much more interested in Blume's other books. Now, having finally read more than the first page, I can see why it remains in print.

Blume's subject matter could titillate, inspire, embarass, or repel a reader. But her characters and their situations feel real and believable, as are any of the responses that readers have toward a subject that we still struggle to address cohesively with young people.

Booktalk: I think I would introduce this book as a love story. And what's something that sets this book apart from some others? S-E-X.