Deenie

I was surprised when I noticed the publication date, because other than small references to the technology level (record players, looking things up in your home encyclopedia instead of online) and the characters' names being ones that were popular at the time, I wouldn't have known that it was published in 1973. Judy Blume is known for being frank about sexual topics in her YA books, and I was really surprised that at publication, it wasn't considered unrealistic that a teacher in the 1970s who was asked about it would be frank about masturbation as something that is common and nothing to be ashamed about.

I really liked how Deenie's dad advocated for her when her mom persisted in the fantasy of Deenie having a modeling career. While I was reading, I looked up pictures of the Milwaukee brace and learned that they are still used today for severe scoliosis, with the same instructions as Deenie received: wear it all the time, including in bed, except when swimming or bathing.