Customer Reviews

Judy Blume's Fudge Box Set

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I read these books as a kid, too, and loved them. So, my 3rd grade daughter and I were reading them at night. We are reading "Superfudge" and it has several topics you may not be ready for. While most of the book is very funny and we had a lot of laughs, I was not laughing at the part about how babies are made. I also didn't enjoy the chapter, "Santa, who?" Just a warning to parents, they talk about not believing in Santa Claus. I know not everyone does, but we still do. So, I would wait to read these books until your child is a little older.

I have been reading Fudge since I was a pre-teen, so I thought I was getting the classics when I purchased this. Was I wrong!! Many of the original words have been changed. For instance: The original book had Peter asking for an airplane and records for Christmas, but the new version has him asking for CD's and an MP3 player. How silly! I wanted the classic and I didn't get it. I am truly upset that these books have been changed to impress the younger crowd. Records and airplanes aren't that foreign of an idea for kids to read about. It's like changing the words to "To Kill a Mockingbird!"

I couldn't believe it when another reviewer/reader said that these were changed from the original. I got my hands on copies, and sure enough, these have been changed! Pick a literary classic. Some are a positive chore to read because English has changed, and continues to do so. But I love the books because they are the books I read growing up. These books are NOT. Will a new generation enjoy them? Certainly. But can a previous one? Of all the things to sell out, why cheapen the childhood of a generation and pander this way? Boo to Judy Blume. This is unforgivable.

These books are a blast from *my* past. I purchased them for my 4th grade son, and he loves them! His teacher started reading a Judy Blume book to his class, and all he did was talk about 'Fudgie' - and now he has caught the bug! I purchased this box set - which comes in a little cardboard box - and he has read them all. Now my 8 year old son is reading them. Well worth the investment!

I pulled up the reviews because I wanted to make sure I was getting good books for my kids, and I have to say that I am glad they are updated. The beauty of Judy Blume is that kids can relate to her. She captures what is really going on in their lives. I want my kids to be able to have that experience themselves. I'm not sure how much I would have related to the characters if they were wanting a rag doll or waiting to listen to their favorite radio show, and I never liked it when my parents tried to impose their dusty old favorites onto me just for the sake of feeling sentimental. If you want the old version for yourself, go find it on ebay, but if you want your kids to relate, buy these.

It's true these books have been modified from the originals... but who cares?

My son just finished the entire set, and he loved them. The many adventures of Fudge set him laughing, and he related to the tales of being a big brother. I had no idea he would enjoy these so much, but he did, and it was really fun reading them together. Oddly enough, he never once commented about any changes from the original versions.

There are a few things in the books that might be issues for some, like a chapter that gives away that Santa Claus isn't real, and a fair bit of name-calling ("stupid"). However, these are easy to skip over, unless you feel doing so would ruin the story.

Many people have called attention to certain changed aspects of the book to reflect a modern audience. I don't find this detracts at all. We are buying these books for our children, not for ourselves. Frankly, the children do not notice anything. I bought this for my brother who is in 3rd grade, and he absolutely loved it, next to Diary of the Wimpy Kid. He did not complain about the contemporary references. If he enjoyed it, then Judy Blume still has the power to entrance children, whatever CD, cassette or whatever it references. Fudge is a great, down-to-earth series, like Diary, that pulls kids away from television and the computer: this is an incentive to buy this for any child, in itself.

Remembering my own enjoyment of this series, I purchased the Fudge set for my daughter. She loved them. Judy Blume perfectly captures everyday kids' lives. She realistically portrays their thought processes, fears, motivations, and conflicts while always making the reader smile. Her endings are satisfying to kids because there is resolution to life's little problems. This set of books is suitable for the younger child, since the issues that the characters confront are all G-rated.

In 3rd grade my daughter had to have this series and read everyone quickly and loved them. She loved the characters and the names of characters and could relate what happen in the books to everyday life at school and after school activities! Easy to read and easy to understand!

I am reading this Blume collection to my third graders and they love them. It is one of our favorite parts of the day.