"The Luckiest Girl", chapter 1. It's high time for some Beverly Cleary (who famously inspired Judy Blume's writing), so we're riding a jetliner back to 1958 – the year of hula hoops, Auntie Mame, quiz show scandals, and Shelley Latham! Jody briefs us on world events and inventions, while Alison reports on music, movies, and TV. They also chat about Beverly's life, literary works, and achievements. In the novel, Shelley pulverizes some roses, pleads for a dirty rain slicker, and decides to break out to Sunny California! PS – Thank you to Blume Head Marlene for her wonderful letter, and to the neighborhood kids for that fireworks display outside Jody's window.  PPS – Please excuse Jody's terrible audio. We were having some problems.