Blubber

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Blubber

Written by:	Judy Blume
Central Theme:
Synopsis:
First published:	1974

Blubber was first published by Judy Blume in 1974 and was banned from many school libraries and reading lists because of violence and language.

Linda gets bullied at school and everyone, including the narrator, makes fun of her. Then the narrator gets bullied and suddenly, it’s not funny any more.

Tropes used in Blubber include:

• Actual Pacifist: Linda tries to solve the problem by dialogue. It fails.
• Adults Are Useless: The teachers scold the kids occasionally for their antics, but never make a move to stop it. Jill's mother comforts her when the class turns on her, but doesn't step in to actually help her.
• Alpha Bitch: Wendy
• Annoying Younger Sibling: Kenny Brenner
• Chinese Best Friend: Tracy Wu
• Berserk Button: Never call Jill's best friend Tracy a racial slur. Ever.
• The Bully: Wendy
• Creepy Child: Wendy and her followers are a borderline example. They write lists of new ways to torment Linda, including forcibly undressing her on two separate occasions. Later, Wendy and her gang attack Jill at the bus stop and throw her books on the ground.
• Informed Deformity: Linda is apparently the fattest girl in the class, but on the cover art she doesn't look any heavier than the rest of the girls.
• Karma Houdini: Wendy, again.
• Kids Are Cruel: And how.
• Loners Are Freaks: Poor Linda…
• Moral Guardians
• Morality Pet: Tracy seems to be this for Jill, as she's the only one Jill has a consistent good relationship with.
• School Bullying Is Harmless: Subverted!
• Shut UP, Hannibal: Jill does eventually call Wendy on her bullshit, even if in the end it amounts to little.
• Villain Protagonist: Jill