Book Summary:
This is a story about a 17 year old girl who is experiencing a real relationship for the first time. This book hits on several important points about sex and the risks. Katherine starts dating Michael fairly soon in the book and we are following her on her journey with waiting until she's ready to have sex and then her having sex, and then the concept of making promises that are not easy to keep. This book also deals with depression and other matters that are important, but mostly it features the struggles in a relationship, especially when the couple is young.
APA Reference of Book:
Blume, J. (1975). Forever... New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.
Impressions: This is a book I have heard about for a long time with the topic of being challenged and banned often. I read the book fairly quickly in one sitting, and it was easy to get through. I did not like it as much as I thought I would. I felt that the events were very realistic and they made sense. I liked how the characters romanticized their relationship at such a young age and promised each other forever. Forever sounds nice and possible, but that is not something you can promise. I think it is very important that this book touched on that, she told Michael that she was making promises she could not keep, or she was going to say it in those words before she ripped up that letter. I thought it was very sad how it ended. I felt really bad for Michael, but it was all very realistic. This book left me thinking about what I expect out of relationships, and how I want that promise of forever. Forever can't be promised, but it can be hoped for. I felt sad at the end of this book. I wish it had ended differently, but it was appropriate to show that not all relationships last even if you think they will.
Professional Review:
"YA - Katherine and Michael find each other, and it's first love for both of them. Katherine loses her virginity, finds out about contraceptives, and learns about VD with lectures inserted as needed. Actually, both kids are so kind and considerate, so understanding, so everything, that readers may wonder what's wrong with them. Finally, she realizes that first love isn't always Forever, that she is growing and accepting changes. Sniff, sniff. Obviously it's not a quality book, but that fact won't bother the many girls who will read it, identify, cry happily, and recommend it to their friends. Librarians buying for junior high schools should be aware that the sexual scenes, while not at all explicit compared to the run of adult novels, may be more than parents of young teens bargain for."
Minudru, R. (1975). [Review of the book Forever, by J. Blume]. School Library Journal, 22(3), 95. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com
Library Uses: Featured book for banned books week.
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