Blubber Audiobook by Judy Blume

It was a lazy Sunday morning, and I found myself sprawled on the couch with a cozy blanket wrapped around me, a steaming cup of tea in hand. The sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. It was the perfect setting to dive into “Blubber” by Judy Blume, narrated by Halley Feiffer. As someone who grew up reading Judy Blume’s books, I was excited to revisit this classic in audiobook form – especially since it’s only 2 hours and 54 minutes long, making it an ideal listen for a relaxed morning.

From the very first chapter, I was transported back to my own childhood. The story revolves around Jill, a fifth-grader who gets caught up in the cruel dynamics of her classroom when a classmate, Linda, becomes the target of relentless bullying. What struck me most about this book is how raw and real it feels. Judy Blume has an uncanny ability to capture the complexities of childhood friendships and the often unspoken pressures kids face to fit in or go along with the crowd. Listening to Halley Feiffer’s narration brought these characters to life in such a vivid way – her tone perfectly matched the innocence and confusion of Jill’s perspective.

As I listened, I couldn’t help but reflect on my own school days. There were moments when I felt like Jill – caught between doing what’s right and wanting to be accepted by my peers. And then there were times when I wondered if I had ever been complicit in behavior that hurt someone else without fully realizing it at the time. “Blubber” doesn’t shy away from these uncomfortable truths, and that’s what makes it so powerful.

What really stood out to me was how Blume tackles themes of empathy and accountability without being preachy. The story unfolds naturally, showing how small actions can snowball into something much bigger – and how difficult it can be for kids (and even adults) to stand up against injustice when everyone else seems to be going along with it. By the end of the audiobook, I felt a mix of emotions: sadness for Linda, frustration with Jill’s choices, but also hope that stories like this can spark important conversations about kindness and courage.

Halley Feiffer’s narration added an extra layer of depth to the experience. Her voice captured Jill’s internal conflict so well – you could hear the hesitation in her tone when she struggled with peer pressure and guilt over her actions. It made me feel like I was right there in that fifth-grade classroom, witnessing everything unfold firsthand.

As I finished my tea and sat there reflecting on “Blubber”, I felt grateful for books like this – ones that don’t just entertain but also challenge us to think about our own actions and their impact on others. It’s a story that stays with you long after you hit “stop.”

—