Forever

By Judy Blume

After decades in print, Forever remains a brave, honest account of first love, first sex and first heartbreak. From Judy Blume, author of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Katherine and Michael met at a party. The attraction was instant, and pretty soon they were seeing each other. This is love, and love is forever – right?

When Katherine's parents make them spend the summer apart, forever begins to feel like an awfully long time . . .

A book ahead of its time, Forever is a classic bestseller from an award-winning author.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pan Macmillan
• Release date: May 29, 2014
• ISBN: 9781447280361

Judy Blume

Judy Blume has been winning legions of fans around the world with her stories. More than eighty-two million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into thirty-two languages. She receives thousands of letters every month from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her. In addition to her hilarious Fudge books, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, Superfudge, Fudge-a-Mania and Double Fudge, some of her incredibly popular books include The Pain and the Great One series and Freckle Juice. Judy lives in Key West, Florida, and New York City with her husband.

Reviews for Forever

[aundria_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The book I am reviewing is Forever. This book is written by Judy Blume. I chose to read this book because it was on our list for challenged books which was a project, and all my friends have read it and highly recommended it. Katherine and Michael are experiencing a lot of first. Michael is Katherine's first boyfriend. She is a virgin when she meets Michael but after a few weeks, she falls in love with him. When Katherine is forced to leave for the summer to be a counselor at camp their relationship is in trouble. She is falling for someone else who is close to her. Be careful with what you do. When you do something make sure you have thought about it. And you know how it is going to end. Relationships are very temperamental and be sure you're ready for them before you do anything you might regret. This book met my expectations very well. The details and the way it relates to teenage life is absolutely awesome

[ellen_norton_4 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book is a quick and excellent read. It tells the story of Kath, a 17 year old, and her first love. She believes that she will be with him forever, but eventually realizes through separation that the heart often wanders. Great for younger to middle ages of YA (13-16). Addresses the importance of birth control when sexually active, and also talks about the ability to say no and not be pressured into sex.

[ctmsmabo · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

As i was reading this book the content of this book got a little innapropriate at times but I enjoyed the plot of the book . As we met kate the main character in the book she went through many realationship problems and romantic love affairs .But ,to me this book was more to me then just a book it was llike this girl was living next door ! I am rating this book a four because i loved the text in the book also i loved the romance in this book. i was infactuated with how it was written but I didnt care for some of the parts but over all i just have to say that this book was an alaround great book for a teenage girl . Personaly its the best book ive read in a long time and i hope its not the last one !  

[faitharo5_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a quick read. A great book about the unrealistic expectations of first love(that it will last forever). This is a book I would recommend to all mature teenage girls.

[crimson_idealist · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Summary: Michael and Katherine embark on a very adult relationship.Evaluation: Groups have wanted this book off the shelf because it deals very frankly with sex and its consequences. If I had to defend the book, I would say that it addresses the reality of a teenage relationship, and that teenagers will face this regardless. I would not recommend it for anyone under fourteen, though. I would go through all the proper channels if it were challenged, and I would consider putting a warning label on it. I would try very hard to keep it on the shelf, though, because it does deal with the issue of sex and it never once preaches to the audience nor glamorizes the issue.

[msmalnick · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

You can't be a 30-ish woman and not have read this some 20 years ago. It's a classic story of a girl's first time. As JB put it once, her daughter asked her to write about a teenager's first sexual experience and have "nothing bad happen." That's exactly what it is. You'll never see the name "Ralph" quite the same.

[amspicer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This bittersweet love story is about a young girl named Katherine and a boy named Michael. The two of them hit it off at a party one night and it was love at first sight. The two end up spending more and more time together and the feelings they have for eachother only grow stronger and stronger. Young love begins to form and the closer they get, the more their bodies seem to connect. The two decide to experiment with eachother which eventually leads to Katherine's deflowering...after this the love they had for eachother only grew stronger. Unfortunatly, Katherines father has other plans for her summer. When it comes time to make the 7 week split, the two love birds go their seperate ways promising to love eachother and write every day. However it doesnt take Katherine very long to realize that there are other people out there and it is possible to fall in love again...

[kwharton-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wow. Judy Blume is awesome. I was pleased to find that she's awesome on Twitter now too @JudyBlume I'm glad I finally read this book.

[df1a_kelseyg · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book was really strange. The dialogue wasn't good and it was kind of distracting. The story seemed a little boring, them staying together and thinking it would stay that way forever. It made you just want to slap them. :) But it was okay, and it was a short book to read.

[runnergirl2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

the instrumental first book that shaped my teen years....learning about sex and love was not on my parent's agenda of things to teach me. judy blume helped immensely. challenged book or not....

[nikirtehsuxlol · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Im 26. So just to put my review in perspective. But, I really thought this story was plot based. There was really no symbolism, no deeper meaning, nothing. A led to B which led to C which led to D. I thought the characters were really flat. There could have been so much more insight to a "first love" relationship than just "Hey! Should we do it yet? Or whole relationship is based on whether we do it or not." Which, yeah a lot of relationships are ... but there was no writing about the letdown of guards we all put up, or the awkward moments afterwards, etc. It was just "Let's do sex. It kinda hurt." - very plot oriented. Morality wise, this book "supports" premarital sex. Just thought I'd put that out there for women trying to buy this for their 17 year old daughters. Judy Blume has done better. Fast read, though.

[kettykat_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this story about teenage sexuality. I remember being at this point in my life and all the confusion that I experienced in making that big decision. This book would really help think through the possiblities of things that could very much happen. Judy Blume does a great job of bringing you into the world of teenage love and relationships through the characters of Katherine and Michael.

[trishalynn0708 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great book, I finished it in a couple of hours. This book cut right to the point of sex. There was no sugar coating what Katherine and Michael were up to. In novels nowadays it seems like sex is put into YA novels, but after reading the book you ask, so did they do anything or not? There is no mistake what went on in Judy Blume's book Forever. She really seems to hit teen relationships head on as well. Katherine and Michael swore they would be together forever and Judy Blume really shows how a teenagers mind works. I remember being in love with one guy one week, then the next week I had moved on. And because the book was published in 1975, let's just say things have changed. No way were my parents allowing me to go away with a boy for the weekend, or inviting them to my house after my parents were to sleep. This was just an all out amazing book.

[amandabock-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Katherine and Michael are in their senior year of high school and totally in love. This now classic novel depicts their relationship and exploration of sex in a mature and responsible way.

Forever serves its stated purpose well: to educate young people about sex and responsible sexual practices through a fictional story with characters who are easy to identify with. Aside from a few minor details, the story has aged surprisingly well, which may be attributed to the overall lack of character development, plot, and description.

For such a long time, this was THE book about sex for youth. Sex certainly isn't as taboo as it once was, although still causes concern for some. I wonder how this fits into the genre now. A fun dissertation might be to examine sex in YA books. (I'm sure someone has done it already.) What are the proportions of depictions: romantic, erotic, abusive, cautionary, others?

[debra_armbruster · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Like Dr. Sue Johanson (Talk Sex With Sue), I count on Judy Blume to give the straight scoop on love and sex (adolescent and adult), without shame or judgement. As usual, Blume delivers. A frank read, _Forever_ can be read in a couple of hours with all the beautiful nostalgia for us who can see their fist love with 20/20 hindsight, or, for readers closer to 18, with honesty and compassion, and a message of safety, truthfulness to self and happiness.

[christinachiara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every teen who has ever had their heart broken into a million pieces must read this book.forever is about a boy and girl who meet threw friends and end up falling in love.this book takese you threw the ups and downs of there relation ship,and of course the end of it.

[mwtemple_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Ah, "Forever". Blume's novel is simple enough: two high schoolers meet, fall in love, have sex, and eventually grow apart and break up. What makes it so unique is that they actively plan to have sex (as in, take all the necessary preparatory steps, go to Planned Parenthood, etc.), actually DO have sex, and are not punished for it, like so many other teenagers in other books. This is realistic teen fiction at its finest; Katherine and Michael are just like your high school friends, and the things they go through are familiar to all of us. Blume doesn't sugar-coat things, but she doesn't catastrophize, either.

[elmyra_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I'm reading this in conjunction with "The Catcher in the Rye". I'll explain why once I've finished both. ;-)

[bnbooklady · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Forever is about young love and first sexual experiences, and it presents a wonderfully positive message about how meaningful those experiences can be under the right circumstances. It acknowledges teenagers’ feelings and accepts them as real and valid, and it gives a healthy depiction of responsible sexual expression, complete with a visit to Planned Parenthood and a brand new prescription for the Pill. Sex is fun, kids, but you have to be safe, too, and Judy Blume wants you to know it. This book is readable and easy to relate to, and it manages to address important issues without being preachy. So I’ll say it again, you’ve gotta love Judy Blume. There’s a reason her books are still widely read and loved more than thirty years after their original publication.Read my full review at The Book Lady's Blog.

[pigofhappiness · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Probably a bit more risque of a read when it first came out, this book nevertheless covers some touchy subjects such as teenage love and sexual relationships. Appropriate for high school and beyond...

[eeminxs · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A book I first read in late middle school, it shows the first time romance between a girl and her boyfriend. It takes you through their journey as a couple. While some may find this not exciting or worth reading, I feel that for those who can handle the sensitive material, it is a great book to read before getting into a relationship. If the age level wasn't so subjective, I'd have given this more stars as it is well-written and a wonderful book.

[ewyatt_16 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Katherine and Michael meet at a New Years' Eve party and start dating. The story traces the course of their relationship. Their suburban friends are also trying to navigate life and love. Erika is wondering whether she should just find someone to have sex with to get the first time over with before college. Artie is trying to figure out his sexual identity. Sybill uses sex as a way to feel loved. When Katherine and Michael spend part of the summer apart working, they both get a chance to reexamine their feelings, their relationship, and if they are ready for forever.

[tab1014 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

WOW, I loved this love story. This is just one of those books that while you are reading it you can see it playing out in your head! I am not sure but depending on the age/maturity level of your young adult reader is whether or not I would let them read this book because it does talk about adult content but then again it might just help a young lady that feels her life is over because of an ended relationship that it will be okay and that they will make it through the impossible heartbreak they are currently going through! If you are an older reader it will take you back in a good way! If you don’t have time to read this yourself but your young reader wants to read this book you should know it does talk about a girl losing her virginity so that is where your judgment comes into play. Regardless it is a very good book! If you have any questions plase send me a message and I will try to answer your question!

[leftik_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I can understand why this book is a "classic," and banned as well, as it dealt with many topics that were taboo in children's/young adult literature at the time.

I wasn't crazy about the book, but I think it's mostly because I couldn't really relate to it. I felt like every page was about sex and the affects of it on a relationship, and that's what the main character was focused on, which got annoying after awhile.

I did like the honesty in the ending. It wasn't "perfect" and it didn't give an idealized view of relationships and love, which I think is good.

I probably would have liked this book better if I had read it when I was in junior high or high school, I just wanted more depth of the character (instead of just sex and boys) but, overall, a decent (and quick) read and I can see why it continues to be published and a favorite of young adults everywhere (and why it still is banned).

[jennanana_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A story of young love almost anyone can relate to, Judy Blume's Forever is a quick read that glimpses into the lives of teenagers during the 1970s and all of the drama that comes along with young love.

[toxicmasquerade · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Just one big love story, if you can't tell by the title. But, it was an okay story. It could have been better. It could have been less rushed. It also seemed a little old. It seemed like the characters were nothing like teenagers now. If that makes any sense. Overall, it was interesting enough for me to finish.

[akmargie · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

One of those classic YA novels that you have to read to see where we've been. Pretty unremarkable and tame by modern "Gossip Girl" standards but still gets challenged.

[dzejncrvena · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Like most viewers are saying, it depicts a more realistic view on sex.
I appreciate the main point of the plot and concept.
May add something later.

[rosanasantana · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Forever... tells the story of Katherine and her first love who she met her senior year of college. The two date for about six months and the young girl looses her virginity to the boy. Her parents are uncomfortable with the relationship and try to separate the couple. This book would be appropriate for teens ages 15-18. The book was written in 1975 so it is a little dated, but I think it would still be a valid choice for teens in this day and age. The book is told in first person from the perspective of Katherine.

[citylove_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Every teen who has ever had their heart broken into a million pieces must read this book. I read it about a decade ago and it touched my very soul. It was like therapy.