It's Not the End of the World [Paperback]

Judy Blume (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 13, 2010

Karen Newman has decided she’ll never get married. Just look at her parents. All they do is fight. And now Karen’s dad has moved out of the house and he and her mom are talking about divorce. Her older brother has locked himself away in his room, her little sister is a mess, and she can’t bring herself to talk about any of it with her best friend. She’s never felt so alone. Yet in spite of everything Karen is sure she can set things right again if only she can get her parents together in the same room. Or will her fantasy backfire?


From the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Judy Blume's body of work returns to her original editor, Richard Jackson, with the rerelease of four classics in hardcover. An African-American family moves to all-white Grove Street in Iggie's House, to be released in April. The author's breakthrough title, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, about 11-year old Margaret Simon's struggles with puberty and religion, is now available in hardcover as well as in a Spanish-language edition, Estas ahi Dios? Soy yo, Margaret. Two additional titles came out last season: Blubber takes on preteen teasing; and It's Not the End of the World explores the effects of divorce.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Publisher

It's Not The End Of The World

I want a mother and a father and I want them to live together-right here-in this house!

Karen Newman can't believe it when her father moves out. How could her parents do this? Don't they know they belong together? Somehow Karen has to get her mom and dad to talk to each other face-to-face. Maybe then they'll realize divorce is a mistake. But can she think of a plan soon-and one that works? --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (April 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385739834
• ISBN-13: 978-0385739832
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #186,549 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Family Life > Marriage & Divorce
  • #31 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Issues > Divorce

More About the Author

Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, NJ, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places, doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Superfudge; Blubber; Just As Long As We're Together; and Forever. She has also written the best-selling novels Wifey; Smart Women; and, Summer Sisters. More than 75 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into twenty-six languages.
She receives thousands of letters each month from readers of all ages who share their feelings and
concerns with her.
Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year that American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. She has won more than ninety awards, none more important than those coming directly from her youngest readers.
She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild, currently as Vice President; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, where she sponsors an award for contemporary fiction; and the National Coalition Against Censorship, working to protect intellectual freedom. In Spring 2002, Judy was a spokesperson for the Cheerios "A Book for Every Child" literacy campaign which benefited Reading is Fundamental, America's largest literacy organization. She is also the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation.
Judy's first book in the Fudge series, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, was published in 1972. She is thrilled to be celebrating its 30th Anniversary with the publication of Double Fudge. Just as generations of fans have loved the Fudge books, generations of Judy's family have inspired them. Thirty years ago, Fudge was inspired by her son, Larry, and now Double Fudge was written at the request of her grandson, Elliot.
Judy lives on islands up and down the East Coast with her husband George Cooper. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book for children coping with divorce., January 11, 2002

By 

Diaspora Chic "diaspora_chic" (Silver Spring, MD) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Not the End of the World (Paperback)

Now in my late twenties, I read this book when I was entering fourth grade and I liked very much reading it. Although my parents are still together, there are children, even as adults, dealing with divorce. Karen Newman, the main character of the book, is coping with the unexpected events that are going on during her parents separation. She meets another girl that lives in the same building as her father whose parents are divorced. However, her reaction to her parents' breakup is much different from Karen's. She already knew from an early age that her father's role in her life was a small part. She accepts her mother being a single parent and going back out into the dating scene. Karen eventually gets through and comes to the conclusion that her parents aren't getting back. This is an interesting read not only for children, but for adults as well.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It's Not The End Of The World, December 7, 2000

A Kid's Review

This review is from: It's Not the End of the World (Paperback)

Karen is an ordinary girl who's parents are going through a very hard time. They always have aguments over really stupid things like about pie, and other stuff too! They are never satisfied with eachother and really don't get along anymore! But karen always try to get them to get back together, and tries her best. It was really hard for her to keep on seeingnher parents unhappy, or depress.It is also very hard for her because she's always moving around. These days she stays wit her dad, the other days she stays with her mom. She really hates moving around, all she wanted is to be in one place living with both of her parents. One wednesday when she was at her dad's, she met a friend name Val, and her parents are the same. Then Val introduced her to a book about divorce, and she read it. It was still alot hard for her. But she finally learned that life is not alwayz what she wants. She actually got used to her parents divorce. I think that this book is very touching. i Feel the same and i understand how she feels because i went through the same thing. But now i know that it's better for your parents, because they don't fight anymore...and when they're seperated, they get what they want, and live the life happier. I give this book a 5, because it's wooondeerful, and touching. I agree with the author, and she's great

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is not for people who easily cry., April 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: It's Not the End of the World (Hardcover)

This book was very good, but I felt like crying as I read it. It's about a girl named Karen whos parents can't stand to be in the same room togher. They get devorced and Karen hates it. She wont stop at nothing to get them back togher. She sends them a Happy Aniversary card in the mail, Invites them both over to show them her viking diorama. In the end her brother runs away and Karen's parents get in such a big fight that it seems that they want to kill each other! Karen then relizes that they wont get back togher and gets on with her life getting used to the fact that her parents are devorced and theres nothing she can do about it. This book was excellent and would recieve 10 stars from me although it was sad and made me want to cry.