Judy Blume To Publish New Novel In Fudge Series

Posted on March 14, 2002

Judy Blume has made Penguin Putnam the new home of her entire Fudge series, it was announced by Doug Whiteman, President of the Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers division. Penguin Putnam will also publish Ms. Blume's newest hardcover novel, Double Fudge, the first new book in the series in twelve years and her first book for young readers since 1993. Ms. Blume is represented by Owen Laster of the William Morris Agency.

The enormously popular Fudge series includes the top seller, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, ranked #3 in Publishers Weekly's list of All Time Children's Bestsellers. Judy Blume is the author of more than twenty books for young readers. More than 75 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide, and her work has been translated into twenty-six languages.

Doug Whiteman said, "Judy Blume is one of the biggest brand names in publishing globally. Readers of all ages have enjoyed her books for over thirty years, and continue to do so. Judy's literary accolades are many, her success unparalleled. It's a tremendous opportunity for us to be publishing her in hardcover and in paperback. We look forward to taking this legendary series to a new level."

The four acquired paperback titles, including Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (1972), Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great (1972), Superfudge (1980), and Fudge-a-Mania (1990), will be released under Penguin Putnam's Puffin Books imprint in 2003. The paperback editions have previously been published by Dell (now part of Random House). The new hardcover book will be published under the Dutton Children's Books imprint in September 2002.

Judy Blume said, "Dutton was Fudge's first home and I look forward to working with the Penguin Putnam team on the paperbacks as well as the hardcovers."