Just as Long as We're Together [Mass Market Paperback]

Judy Blume (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

How can you be best friends with someone who keeps secrets from you—important secrets?

Stephanie’s best friend is Rachel. Since second grade they’ve shared everything, good and bad. Now, as they start seventh grade, Stephanie meets Alison, who has just moved to their neighborhood. Stephanie hopes all three of them can be best friends, because she really likes Alison. But is it possible to have two best friends? Or is it true that two’s company, three’s a crowd?

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stephanie, 12, is into "hunks" even though she's never met one herself. But when she starts seventh grade and finds out that she and her best friend, Rachel, aren't in any of the same classes except gym, Stephanie has more to worry about than boys. A new girl, Alison, moves in; she's a welcome new friend, but her presence alters the relationship between Steph and Rachel. For the first time, Rachel has secrets from Steph. But worse, Stephanie accidently learns that her father isn't in California on business, but that her parents have separated, and that her father has a girlfriend. She even suspects her mother of having a "fling." The relationships within the storyamong the three friends, and between Steph and her parentsare complicated, and Blume handles this aspect realistically and with great ease. The plot resolution, though carefully handled, is curiously flat. Despite this weakness, the story is lively, moves quickly, and captures the nutty, poignant world of very young teenagers. Ages 10-13.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7 Blume once again chronicles the customs, mores, and lifestyle of preteen girls. This first-person narrative touches on many themes found in her previous novels: friendship, emerging sexuality, body weight, the family, menstruation. The freshness and intimacy of 13-year-old Stephanie Hirsch's account infuse those themes with originality. Stephanie enters seventh grade armed with innate optimism, two best friends, and a supportive mom. She gradually assimilates the devastating news of her parents' separation, endures the pain of an all-out fight with her oldest best friend, and comforts her young brother through nightmares of nuclear war. The Blume trademarks of realistic dialogue, funny non sequiturs, and forthright misinformation (gullible Stephanie is told by her friend that hairy legs on a boy indicate sexual experience) are much in evidence. The inviting jacket design, showing the three friends in a fit of giggles, perfectly evokes the upbeat story. Susan H. Patron, Los Angeles Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Laurel Leaf (October 1, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440210941
• ISBN-13: 978-0440210948
• Product Dimensions: 4.3 x 0.8 x 6.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (110 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #937,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coming-of-age story, March 17, 2005

By 

Anonymous (new york, ny United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just as Long as We're Together (Mass Market Paperback)

I've always been a big fan of Judy Blume, and she didn't disappoint in "Just As Long...." As always, Blume is a master in getting into the heads of young teens, and though Stephanie is the narrator in this installment (Rachel narrates in Here's To You Rachel Robinson, and Blume has mentioned that she'd like to write a book from Allison's POV), Rachel and Allison are equally as compelling.

Overall, this is funny, poignant and realistic look at what happens when a kid enters junior high and begins to question his or her place in the world.

As for the handful of reviewers who complained that parts of this book are "obscene" because the girls discuss kissing and sex. Come on, let's not be stuck in the Pilgrim days here. These girls are 13 - of course they're going to be thinking about boys, getting their periods, etc. Which 13 year old hasn't? Whether the subject matter is appropriate for younger kids to read is up to parents to decide, but Blume doesn't try to pretend this isn't anything other than a middle-grade read. To criticize her for realistically portraying teenagers is absolutely ridiculous. I think the criticism goes more to the parents who didn't bother to check to make sure that their younger kids were reading something on their level.

Anyway, this novel is a (PG-13) gem.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just As Long Review, January 16, 2002

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Just as Long as We're Together (Mass Market Paperback)

Just As Long As Were Together was a pretty close to real life kind of book. Friends get into fights, right? I found the book a really realistic book. I did because it sounds like most girls' lifes in this world. This book, is about young girls' who are bestfriends, then a girl moves into the condo (I think it was) across a pond from one of the girls. They end up getting into a fight and then become friends once again. They get into so many incidences,and are into this guy that goes to their school.The first sentence "Stephanie is into hunks", kind of caught me off gaurd. Not many books, or authors actually start off a book like that. That's why I thought it would be a pretty interestiong book to read, and boy was I right! Any book that starts off like that can grab your attention and grab you in. I loved this book and I highly recomend it to everyone, that likes Judy Blume or not. It's sophisticated yet, childish, so it's a perfect book!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just As Long As We're Together review by me, November 10, 2001

By 

An 11-year old reader (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Just as Long as We're Together (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is about three friends, Stephanie, Alison, and Rachael. It is from the perspective of 12 year old Stephanie. Stephanie is friendly and optimistic (according to Rachael). Rachael is very senstitive and a straight A student, and Alison is friendly, funny, and senstitive. The three friends get along well together but they do come to some problems.
This book is all about friendship, school, and 7th grade girls. It is a book that once you start, you cannot put down.