Deenie

Deenie is a great character. Once i started to read it I didnt stop. As it turns out I read the book in 3 hours srait!! IT is a cliffhangerish book, but not quite. At the end of every chapter you want to know what is going to turn out with the girl Deenie. This is a strong and sensual book. It is just like you are thinking what Deenie is thinking because you can feel what she is going through. I have read it so many times you wouldnt believe. I reccomend this book to people who cant get their nose out of good books!

The relationships between Deenie and her mother, father, and sister are very well thought-out. I admit I was scandalized when I first read this book in seventh grade at the makeout scene between Deenie and Buddy, but it certainly didn't encourage me to go out and do that myself, and as for masturbation, Blume is VERY VAGUE and merely wishes to point out that this is normal, which it is, as any two-year-old could tell you if two-year-olds could talk well enough. People who want this book banned on a couple of minor details are missing the whole point of the book, which is about a teenager who is trying to do the right thing amidst a whole lot of physical and emotional barriers. A good read.

Dear Readers,

Today I finished reading DEENIE by Judy Blume. In the story, beautiful 13-year-old Deenie's mother wants her to become a model. Deenie isn't too hot on the idea, but she doesn't despise it either. She goes along with her mother's wishes only to please her. All these dreams come to a crashing halt when Deenie gets diagnosed with scoliosis. What's worse, her doctor tells her the best way to treat her spine is to put her in a Milwaukee brace for four years. Deenie takes the news hard, but it seems like her mother takes it even worse. The rest of the book explores how Deenie copes with this new change in her life.

I would recommend this book to girls between the ages of 12-16. It addresses issues that concern girls in that age group. This book changed my perception of scoliosis. Prior to reading this book, I thought the brace was only worn for a few weeks or maybe a few monthes. I had no idea it was worn for years. My heart goes out to anyone who has had to cope with this adjustment. In my opinion, the most important part of this book is when Deenie accepts that this temporary problem will lead to a long-term solution and handles it with grace and maturity.

~Miss L

Laure Leaf, 1991, 144pp., $5.50
ISBN 0440932599
Deenie
Judy Blume
"No! I am never wearing that.....EVER!" Imagine having the perfect life, being a beautiful girl who wanted to soar high in life, who had wonderful friends, a boy she secretly loved and the boy loved her back too, and a loving family.
Until the one day. The one day when you go to the doctor's office and he says, "You have scoliosis, a serious back problem. You will have to wear a brace for a couple of years."
The brace was hideous with medal bars and everything Deenie imagined to be the worst that could happen to her. All of Deenie's dreams are crushed. Her mother's expectations for Deenie to have a fulfilling modeling career have come to a close. Deenie's friends start acting odd around her trying to not make her feel bad about the brace. The conversations with her friends only made her feel worse. Because of the brace, her family was falling apart, and the negativity toward her outside appearance was making her inner beauty turn ugly.
Through this experience Deenie embarks on a new journey in life. I would recommend this book to teenage girls who like Judy Blume and her stories. I truly enjoyed following Deenie through the highs and lows during her life and I hope you do too.

My sister has scoliosis and would have been helped by this book, but she refuses to believe that anyone could have suffered as much as she does.
I read the book for school and did a report on it. I also wrote about what my sister had suffered. The book was similar to my sister's experience in a lot of ways. The adults in the book are like real life--not very understanding and sort of cruel.
I think all kids who have scoliosis or know someone who has it should read this book. Then they won't feel so alone.

The book Deenie by Judy Blume is filled with many hopes and dreams. It`s about a girl named Deenie and how her mother has her life worked out to be a model. Along with her mom's help, she hopes she will be able to fulfill that dream. Deenie's mom is always pushing her to be the best she can be and tries to help her succeed in all the aspects of her life. Deenie also loves hanging out with her friends and doing well in school.
One day at school she was trying out for cheerleading and her coach noticed that there was something wrong with her back. She called Deenie down to talk to her and told Deenie that she was going to call her parents about her concerns. That night Deenie answered the phone and found out that her coach thought she had some serious back problems. Deenie was worried about what her coach had said to her parents.
Deenie's parents immediately set up some appointments to see the doctor to find out what was wrong with their daughter. Eventually, Deenie found out the news that she had scoliosis. Deenie would have to wear a brace for four years to fix the curve of her spine. All of her hopes and dreams of becoming a model were shattered! She has to go through tons of other appointments to fix her spine. After Deenie gets her brace her biggest challenge was trying to explain it to everyone at school. She also had to overcome the challenges of wearing the brace from her hip to her neck. How will she ever face the more difficult times ahead of her?
Read Deenie to see what happens to Deenie and if her dreams of becoming a model ever come true. This book was a great book full of love, worries, hope, and adventure. Be sure to read the fiction book Deenie by Judy Blume.

"Deenie" piqued my curosity since it appears regularly on the ALA "Frequently Challenged" list, and even in my home county library there is a note in the catalog saying, "No copies available in any library." I was able to buy the book easily enough, however, and after reading it, I find the challenges groundless and saddening. There is nothing to fear in "Deenie." If I had a daughter, I would have no trouble letting her read it, and as it is, I wouldn't stop my son either.

That being said, "Deenie" is no "Face on the Milk Carton." The characters are painted believeablty with a surprising economy, but just as they become really engaging, the book ends. I would like it better if we were able to follow Deenie through all four years of her treatment and observe more of her character development, see how the relationship between Deenie and her sister develops, and see if her mother is able to "grow up" a little more.

For perhaps the most interesting irony of the story is that Deenie's confinement in the Milwaukee brace really sets her free. Free from her selfish and domineering mother, free from the enculturated stereotypes that keep Deenie from talking to (or even looking at) any people with visible health issues, and free from virtually all of her social inhibitions. In many ways, her diagnosis is the best thing that could have happened. It becomes the catalyst for her development as an independent young woman, and not just the daughter of her parents.

There is also a lot of material in this little book for further discussion and study. Blume manages to cover the details of scoliosis without becoming too stiff, and provides resources for more current information. The relationships between Deenie and her two friends is subtly nuanced; an amazing achievement, considering how few sentences are devoted to them. Blume has an eye for detail, and is able to get the most out of the short scenes. Finally, Deenie's father provides a sterling example of good parenting, once he rises to the occasion, illustrating admirably when to yield and when to stand firm.

While "Deenie" is not as impressive an achievement as "The Face on the Milk Carton" or "The Pigman," it is certainly a worthwhile read. There is no reason that it should be suppressed: I plan to write a letter to my community library, and I would encourage otheres to stand up against such cowardly censorship in their communities as well.

P.S. I contacted my local librarian, who assured me that the catalog listing was misleading. In fact, there were at least four copies in circulation, although the one at my local branch seemed to have disappeared. Certainly, this is good news, but I was really touched by how enthusiastic she was about my concern. I was rather afraid of being treated like a crackpot. I think I'll sign up for some volunteer work the next time I've over there...

Judy Blume's, Deenie is an interesting book. At some points the book gets confusing, but for the most part, it can sure keep you reading. The theme of the book doesn't really come out until the end. There are several different characters to remember the roles of and it also changes scenes frequently. Deenie, a typical seventh-grader, is described as beautiful and perfect. Her mother, Thelma, tries forcing her into becoming a model, which Deenie really isn't interested in, but tries to keep her mother happy by seeing different agencies. Deenie goes behind her mother's back and tries out for the middle school cheerleading squad. Unfortunately she doesn't make it, but one of her best friends, Janet, does. She didn't quite understand why she didn't make it but goes on with her life. A few days later Thelma receives a telephone call from the cheerleading coach. I will leave it up to you to figure out what happens from this point on. I am not one who enjoys reading, but I enjoyed this book a lot. I think that I enjoyed it so much because it is about a teenage girl and how she might be a model. I would recommend this book to young teenage girls. So, if you think you hate reading give this book a chance.

I am a student at West Virginia State College taking Children's Literature. As part of our assignment, we were to read a book that was put on a censored list and write our personal review.
This book was extremely interesting to me. I have to admit that I was a little shocked at the inclusion of the topic of masturbation. I personally feel that it could have been left out of this story.
This book could be used to help other girls that have been diagnosed with scoliosis. It is explained in a way that brought it to reality. The person diagnosed as well as their friends could understand all aspects of what was happening or going to happen. The expression of feelings was real and vivid. Young teenage girls have to face so many changes in their life at that stage, that adding to it with scoliosis only makes it worse. I feel confident in saying that I would use this book as a teaching tool in a similar situation.

This book is an excellent book about growing up and facing facts about life. Deenie is fitted for back brace, which she is informed she will have to wear for about four years. How will she cope with the stares of the kids at school? Will people like her any less because she is different? Find out how Deenie changes when her life takes an abrupt corner into the unexpected

I read this book 29 years ago on the recommendation of my doctor. I was 10 years old and in NYU hospital ready to under go scoliosis surgery. I had worn an ugly, bulky brace from my chin to me hips for 8 months but ended up needing the surgery. It was great to read a book that struck such a chord at a hard time. It was good to know that I wasn't the only kid going through such a thing. If you know a kid who has scoliosis, this is a great book. How often, at that age (9 - 13) do we actually get to read a book that could be written about us and what we are actually going through at that moment?

Deenie is pretty, pretty enough to be a model (which her mother wants her to be but she's not too sure)! But she has a bad posture. Until she realizes it's adolecent idiopatc scoliosis! A curvey spine?! How awful! Now she has to wear this stupid brace for four years! Great! Just what she needs! But in the end she learns to deal with it!

Deenie was an awesome book by Judy Blume because it had regular teenage feelings but more importantly, Deenie had scoliosis, which is the curve of the spine. She must wear a Millwakee brace for 4 years to correct her curve. I have scoliosis too, and I was glad to see a famous author had written about it. It was a very heartwarming book and you really got to know Deenie. I would defenitly recomend it for readers of all ages who need a little inspiration in their lives.

P.S. It's a very quick and easy read, but still has a rich plot and juicy descriptions.Deenie

To whomever said that Judy Blume wrote about the brace incorrectly, hello, this book was written 20+ years ago! I had a couple of friends with scoliosis. Until recently, back braces were with metal strips and collars. They are back to normal, but they were probably spared a lot of heartbreak by wearing braces then not wearing them. I have read this book many times and each time, I see something in myself that I see in Deenie.

I usually disliked reading but after reading deenie i cant take my eyes off of any other Judy Blume book. i had read that book in a week and it surprised me because i hate to read and instead of watching the television i had my eyes glued to this book. It was the absolute best and i recomend it to anyone. especially teen girls. I especially liked deenies courage at the end of the book and how she followed her conscience. This is the Best book i have ever read and i wish it was my summer reading book but thats a whole other story. i am now reading "Its not the end of the world" by Judy Blume and this seems to be a great book too. So i definately reccomed it to anyone...Definately!

Deenie was an excellent book. Deenie, a beautiful young girl whose mother has her life worked out to be a model, discovers that she has scoliosis. Everyone has always thought that she has walked a little funny, but nothing to be worried about. Deenie's life changes dramatically. Deenie must wear a Missisippi Brace for the next three years, and has no hope for modeling. School, her friend's attitudes towards her, her everyday activities...all change. Deenie must learn to cope with and accept her diesease and her changed life. A reccommended book for girls between 10 and 13 while learning to accept who you are.

Good book. I was recommended reading this book in the 1990s because when I was thirteen I was diagnosed with scolisis. I could relate to Deemie and we aren't to blame for having scolisis. It's not our fault. I wore a back brace and also had surgery it was that bad.

I personally loved this book! I myself have scoliosis, and have had it for almost 8 years. Throughout all 8 years, I've worn a back brace. This book hopefully taught thousands of young girls what it's actually like to wear a hard plastic contraption that you can barely move in, let alone complete function in for 23 hours out of the day! Judy Blume tastefully hinted to girls the real terrors and fears of wearing a brace to school and having people want to know all about it, which hopefully let kids see through the eyes of a scoliosis patient. I just want to give a big thanks to Blume for writing this book, and I eagerly await the movie Deenie! I can't wait to see how they show the brace, to see if it is realistic!!!

This book is a spectacular realism of what a real teenage girl of Deenie's situation would go through. I read Judy Blume often, and I have to say this is uniquely her best! It is definetly a timeless rendition of a teenage girl's "real world". Something that Judy Blume is amazing at concocting. I recommend that YOU, whether you be boy or girl, adult, child, or adolescent, give this book a try! Please enjoy!

I found "Deenie" to be endless. The beginning of it was O.K. but the end of it was blunt. It doesn't tell what happens to her or how her future turns out. I would definatly NOT reccomend this to anybody, its dull!

In this story Deenie, a beautiful teenager, discovers that she has scoliosis. Her mom is upset because she really wants Deenie to be a model, but now she can't be one untill Deenie's spine is fixed. Deenie is forced to wear a brace. Deenie hates the brace because it shows through all her clothes and is very uncomferatable. It even gives her a rash! I learned a lot about scoliosis through this book, but it wasn't very interesting and i didn't really enjoy reading it.

I love Judy Blumes books because I can always relate to them.My friend Lilly has to were a brace.Shes always moody now and it gets annyoning at times.When I read this book I sorta understood why Lilly gets moody and angry.I recommened it for her and now we have something to talk about and she dosn't feel like a totally loser wearing it.She still gets moody but now I can talk to her and more get the evil eye.

I think this book was really interesting, because I could realate to the character Deenie. I had the back problems just like deenie did and I wore the same brace she did. It was good to read this book because it was good to know that someone felt the same way I did. Because nobody understand unless they have the back problems.

I THINK GIRLS 12 AND UP SHOULD READ DEENIE BECAUSE IT IS A GREAT BOOK. ONLY ONE PROBLEM. I BORROWED DEENIE FROM THE LIBRARY AND I LOST IT SO NOW I HAVE TO GO BUY IT. BUT GIRLS, GO READ DEENIE!! I LOVED IT!