10+ Best Judy Blume Books for 9-Year-Olds w/ Exercises (2024)

Are you on the hunt for the perfect reading adventure for your 9-year-old? Look no further than Judy Blume books for 9-year-olds! Judy Blume has a magical way of capturing the trials and triumphs of childhood, making her stories a hit with young readers everywhere. Keep reading to discover a curated list of Judy Blume books that are sure to captivate and inspire your young reader's imagination. Let's dive in!

Fun Judy Blume Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Family, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around nine-year-old Peter Hatcher and his annoying younger brother Fudge, who often disrupts Peter's life with his antics. Peter struggles to deal with his brother's misadventures and the attention he garners from their parents.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a humorous and relatable portrayal of sibling dynamics and family life, which can help young readers feel understood and entertained.
  • Perfect for: Children who are navigating sibling relationships or those who enjoy stories with a mix of comedy and real-life situations.

• Superfudge by Judy Blume
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Family, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: This sequel to Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing continues to follow the life of Peter Hatcher and his little brother Fudge. The family moves to a new town, and Peter has to deal with more of Fudge's antics and the challenges of adjusting to a new environment.
  • Why we recommend this book: It captures the challenges and excitements of moving and dealing with changes, all while keeping a light and humorous tone that keeps readers engaged.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are dealing with or anxious about changes like moving or changing schools, and those who love stories filled with humor and family dynamics.

• Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume
  • Genre(s): Comedy, Family, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Peter Hatcher and his family, including his little brother Fudge, are vacationing in Maine with their extended family. Hijinks ensue as Peter navigates this family vacation, dealing with Fudge and a new set of problems.
  • Why we recommend this book: It offers a fun and engaging look at family relationships and the adventures that can happen during family gatherings, which are both amusing and heartwarming.
  • Perfect for: Young readers who enjoy family stories with a humorous twist or those looking for a fun vacation read.

Educational Judy Blume Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume
  • Genre(s): Fiction, Coming-of-age
  • Synopsis: This book features Sheila Tubman, who may seem confident to her friends but is secretly afraid of many things. Over the summer, Sheila faces her fears and learns a lot about herself and what it means to be brave.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Self-awareness, emotional intelligence, coping with fears
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a great story about overcoming personal fears and growing up, which can inspire children to face their own fears.
  • Perfect for: Kids who are dealing with fears or who enjoy stories about personal growth and self-discovery.

• Freckle Juice by Judy Blume, illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
  • Genre(s): Humor, Realistic Fiction
  • Synopsis: Andrew Marcus desperately wants freckles after noticing his classmate Nicky has them. He buys a secret recipe for freckle juice, leading to some unexpected and humorous results.
  • Skills and subjects this book improves: Creativity, problem-solving, understanding consequences
  • Why we recommend this book: It combines humor with lessons about accepting oneself and the consequences of impulsive decisions.
  • Perfect for: Children who enjoy funny stories with a moral or those curious about self-acceptance and individuality.

Challenging Judy Blume Books for 9-Year-Olds

• Blubber by Judy Blume
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Social Issues
  • Synopsis: The story revolves around Jill Brenner and her classmates who bully Linda Fischer, nicknamed "Blubber." The dynamics of bullying and peer pressure are explored as Jill experiences being both a bystander and a victim.
  • Why this book is challenging: It deals with complex themes of bullying, morality, and social hierarchy, which are profound and thought-provoking for young readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book provides a realistic look at the impact of bullying and encourages empathy and critical thinking about one's actions and their effects on others.
  • Perfect for: Readers who are navigating social dynamics at school or those interested in stories that promote empathy and understanding.

• Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Coming-of-Age
  • Synopsis: Margaret Simon, a sixth-grader, deals with typical pre-adolescent issues including puberty, religion, and social dynamics as she talks to God about her problems and desires.
  • Why this book is challenging: It addresses topics like religion, puberty, and personal identity, which require a mature understanding from the reader.
  • Why we recommend this book: It's a classic coming-of-age story that helps young readers understand and cope with changes during adolescence and encourages them to explore their identity.
  • Perfect for: Advanced readers interested in exploring more mature themes or those going through or preparing for puberty changes.

• Iggie's House by Judy Blume
  • Genre(s): Realistic Fiction, Social Issues
  • Synopsis: Winnie Barringer’s best friend, Iggie, moves away, and an African American family moves into Iggie’s old house, leading to racial tensions in the predominantly white neighborhood.
  • Why this book is challenging: It tackles issues of racism and social justice, which are significant, complex topics requiring thoughtful engagement from readers.
  • Why we recommend this book: This book promotes understanding and acceptance, providing a platform for discussing racism and the importance of diversity and inclusion.
  • Perfect for: Young readers interested in social issues or those living in diverse communities looking to understand more about racial dynamics and inclusion.

Exercises to Develop a Good Reading Habit

Hey there! If you're diving into the delightful world of Judy Blume books with your 9-year-old, you're in for a treat. Judy Blume's stories are not only fun and engaging, but they also offer great opportunities to develop strong reading habits. Here are some exercises that can help young readers get the most out of their reading experience.

• Set Specific Reading Goals
  • What it is: Decide on a number of pages or chapters to read each day.
  • How it helps: Helps create a consistent reading schedule and builds a sense of accomplishment.
  • Tips: Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase them.

• Discuss the Story
  • What it is: Talk about the book's plot, characters, and themes with others.
  • How it helps: Enhances comprehension and retention, and encourages critical thinking.
  • Tips: Use open-ended questions to encourage deeper thinking and conversation.

• Create a Book Club
  • What it is: Gather a group of friends who are reading the same book and discuss it regularly.
  • How it helps: Makes reading a social activity, which can be more engaging for children.
  • Tips: Include fun activities related to the book in your club meetings, like themed snacks or crafts.

• Illustrate the Story
  • What it is: Draw scenes or characters from the book.
  • How it helps: Helps with understanding and remembering details of the story.
  • Tips: Don't worry about artistic skill; focus on expressing how you imagine the scenes.

• Predict the Plot
  • What it is: Guess what might happen next after each reading session.
  • How it helps: Encourages active engagement with the text and stimulates imagination.
  • Tips: Write down predictions and check how many of them come true as you read.

• Map the Story
  • What it is: Create a timeline or a map of events from the book.
  • How it helps: Aids in understanding the sequence of events and the relationship between them.
  • Tips: Use different colors or symbols to mark important turning points or emotional moments.

Using these exercises while reading Judy Blume's books can turn reading time into an adventure of exploration and creativity. Not only will these activities make the stories more enjoyable, they'll also instill a lifelong love for reading. Happy reading!