Forever

Blume, Judy. Forever.New York: Simon Pulse, 2003. Print. ISBN 978-1-4169-3400-4. Paperback. $8.99.

 

Available Formats: Paperback, hardcover, library binding hardcover and eBook.

Annotation: Katherine and Michael are experiencing first love. Like most teenagers they are dealing with the emotions, decisions and challenges that come along with it. Although they think they have found true love, their relationship is put to the test when they are forced to spend the summer apart.

Book Review:
Katherine Danzinger and Michael Wagner's love story is like most other young adults. It is intense, passionate, confusing, exciting and new. Introduced at a friend's New Year's Eve party, the two suburban high school seniors quickly fall for each other. Once Katherine decides to be intimate with Michael, she has to make many challenging decisions that she never thought she would face. Although they believe they have found true love, their relationship is put to the test when they have to spend their first summer as a couple in different states. Katherine and Michael must decide whether their love will be forever, or if the distance will tear them apart.

Originally written over thirty years ago, Forever is a classic piece of fiction that is still relevant to teenagers today. Therefore, I would recommend this book for a young adult collection in a public library. The information in the novel is important for teens to have access to, since Blume candidly explores topics that many adolescents are dealing with. This includes sex, contraception, drugs, sexual orientation, college, suicide and depression. Additionally, Forever contains dialogue that teenagers can relate to. Told from the perspective of Katherine, the language is that of a seventeen year old girl. Consequently, the writing style provides a genuine feeling to the book. Additionally, the story is told chronologically. Therefore, readers can easily follow Michael and Katherine's relationship throughout the text. As for age level, I would recommend this book for readers aged 14 through 18, since the content would likely be more applicable to this demographic.

Awards and Honors:
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults
NPR-Your Favorites: 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels

(Image courtesy of BCLS)

Click here to listen to author J. Courntey Sullivan's recommendation for Forever.

Additional Author Information:

To visit the author's website click here!

  

Follow Judy Blume on Twitter @judyblume.