Judy Blume Wins National Book Award

Posted on September 15, 2004

Bestselling children's author Judy Blume has been named this year's winner of an honorary National Book Award for contributions to American letters. This is the first time that a children's author has won a National Book Award.

Blume said in a statement, "I'm thrilled by this unexpected honor. We don't write hoping to win awards. We write because we have to -- because of a burning need to share our characters and stories."

Ms. Blume's books, such as Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 20 languages. Her work has generated controversy over the years. Her work has been criticized by parents, pulled from library shelves and even put in restricted sections of libraries because of the books' open and frank depiction of young people dealing with issues like sex, religion and divorce. Ms. Blume is the founder of the Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation, and has served on numerous boards, including the Author's Guild and the National Coalition Against Censorship. A mother of three children, Ms. Blume is slated to accept her medal on November 17th, 2004 at the 55th annual National Book Awards ceremony in New York.