Deenie by Judy Blume
"Deenie" by Judy Blume is a first-person narrative centered on Wilmadeenie Fenner, a seventh-grade girl navigating the complexities of adolescence in suburban New York City. The story explores Deenie's relationships with her friends and family, particularly the expectations her mother has regarding her beauty and potential modeling career. Following a series of events that include a cheerleading tryout and a visit to the gym teacher, Deenie is diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, leading to a journey of self-discovery and acceptance as she deals with her condition.
The novel discusses Deenie's decision-making regarding her treatment, ultimately choosing to wear a brace rather than undergo surgery. It provides insights into her emotional struggles and the support she receives from her father, contrasting her experience with those who face more severe disabilities. Blume's writing resonates with young readers due to its relatable portrayal of adolescence, tackling themes like body image, peer relationships, and resilience. As part of Blume's broader body of work, "Deenie" addresses important issues relevant to young people, making it a significant contribution to literature for teens.
Deenie by Judy Blume
First published: 1973
Subjects: Emotions, family, friendship, health and illness, and sexual issues
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Domestic realism
Time of work: The early 1970’s
Recommended Ages: 10-13
Locale: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Principal Characters:
Wilmadeenie “Deenie” Fenner , almost thirteen, who is diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosisThelma Fenner (Ma) , her mother, who wants Deenie to be a modelFrank Fenner (Daddy) , her father, a gas station ownerHelen , her sixteen-year-old sisterJanet , her friendMidge , her friendBuddy Brader , an eighth-grade boy Deenie thinks is nice, who plays drums at a seventh-grade mixerMiss Rappoport , the gym teacher
Form and Content
Deenie is a first-person narrative told through the eyes of Wilmadeenie Fenner. It is a fast-paced novel about relationships between Deenie and her friends Midge, Janet, and Buddy Brader and her family, particularly Ma and Daddy. The novel could occur anywhere in the United States, but it is set in suburban New York City. Deenie’s name comes from a motion picture that Ma saw just before she was born. When Ma first held Deenie, she knew that the baby would turn out as she wanted—“beautiful”—if Deenie were her name. Ma’s favorite comment is that Helen has brains but Deenie has beauty. Ma wants Deenie to use her looks and be a model. Appointments with various agencies are arranged, but Mrs. Allison in New York City says that there is something about Deenie’s posture that concerns her. Ma accuses Deenie of slouching and not really trying to stand up straight.
Deenie tries out for the one seventh-grade spot on the cheerleading squad. She is devastated when Janet wins the coveted position and, instead of going home on the bus, seeks solace from her father at his gas station. The next day, Mrs. Rappoport, the gym teacher, wants to see Deenie after school, and Deenie thinks it is about cheerleading. When Mrs. Rappoport asks Deenie to bend over and touch her toes and to walk slowly across the room, she realizes that this meeting is about her posture. The teacher calls Deenie’s parents and suggests that Deenie see a doctor. Dr. Moravia believes that she has adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and sends her to an orthopedist for X rays and other tests that confirm the diagnosis. When she is told about the different kinds of treatment, Deenie chooses surgery, without consulting the doctor, and tells her friends. Midge and Janet surprise her with dinner and a gown to wear in the hospital.
Deenie does not have surgery and instead will wear a brace from shoulder to hip for four years. Much information about scoliosis is explained in the novel as Deenie is fitted for the Milwaukee brace and is taught how to put it on and take it off. This procedure is stressful, and Deenie must put her hand in a special place in order to get to sleep.
At the office, when Deenie gets the brace, Ma becomes hysterical, and the doctor sends her back to the waiting room, but Daddy is able to provide the needed support. He also tells Deenie that she is not sick and must go back to school on Monday. Deenie begins to reassess her problem in comparison to those who are truly handicapped. When Buddy Brader kisses her at Janet’s party, she knows that everything will be all right.
Critical Context
Judy Blume remembers exactly what it was like to be young and what she wanted to know at certain ages as she was growing up. She is able to project herself back to specific stages of her life and is thus able to write as young people speak. She has also written about sexuality and relationships in her other adolescent novels. These books are often identified with specific sexual topics: Deenie with masturbation; Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret (1970) with menstruation; Then Again, Maybe I Won’t (1971) with wet dreams; and Forever (1975) with intercourse. Her books that explore social relationships include Blubber (1974), about ostracism and cruelty; It’s Not the End of the World (1972), about divorce; Tiger Eyes (1983), about death; and Just as Long as We’re Together (1987) and Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson (1993), about family and peer relations. Blume is a favorite author of adolescents because she writes interesting stories with credible characters.
Bibliography
Blume, Judy. “Places I Never Meant to Be: A Personal View.” American Libraries 30 (1999): 62-67.
Garber, Stephen. “Judy Blume: New Classicism for Kids.” English Journal 73 (April 1984): 56-59.
Gleasner, Diana. Breakthrough: Women in Writing. New York: Walker, 1980.
Lee, Betsy. Judy Blume’s Story. Minneapolis: Dillon Press, 1981.
Naylor, Alice Phoebe, and Carol Wintercorn. “Judy Blume.” In American Writers for Children Since 1960: Fiction, edited by Glenn Estes. Vol. 52 in Dictionary of Literary Biography. Detroit: Bruccoli Clark, 1986.
Weidt, Maryann. Presenting Judy Blume. Boston: Twayne, 1990.