The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

Latest Episodes:

75. Je Suis La Jeune Fille Mar 07, 2019

Show notes

OMG Dad is such a jerk! Welcome to chapters 3-6 of Paula Danziger's "The Cat Ate My Gymsuit," published in 1974. Alison and Jody recap all the Smedley goings-on, the Lewis household arguments, and the budding friendship between Marcy and Joel Anderson. We also learn about the deal with Wolf and those orange pits. The girls read three awesome letters (thank you Kate, Ingrid, and Helen!) and do a follow-up with Blume Head Bex on golf calligraphy sets. Come inside the Cocoon for over-the-top dramatic readings and laughs, with a shiny coat of nostalgia. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

74. Fluffy Fluff Fluff Fluff Feb 28, 2019

Show notes

New book y’all! Jody and Alison are thrilled to begin Paula Danziger’s debut novel, “The Cat Ate My Gymsuit,” chapters 1-3. They start with a 1974 primer and delve into some wild specifics: Rumble in the Jungle, Marina Abramovic’s uncomfortable performance art, the worst music in modern history, and Saturday morning cartoons. Our protagonist Marcy pretty much hates her life until the mysteriously hip Ms. Finney shows up at school. What’s up with this crazy teacher? Will Marcy work up the courage to chat with nerdy hunk Joel? What the heck is Smedley? In other news, the gals read two amazing Blume Head letters, reenact their favorite scenes, and sing some Blind Melon. Shout out to Amy Mason Doan, this week’s Blume Head of the Week!

Odds and Ends #9: A Sheila Screening Feb 14, 2019

Show notes

Happy Valentine's Day Blume Heads! It's pure chaos with four ladies in the Cocoon to discuss the "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great" movie and to bid adieu to our favorite scaredy-cat. There's a special report on the infamous chopped and screwed 1995 Olsen Twins hit, "Gimme Pizza." There's correspondence with a real life Sheila Blume Head, who ALSO started her own handwritten newspaper. And of course, there is in-depth critical analysis of the movie, a sweet homage that Judy Blume made with her son, Larry. Join Jody, Alison, and special guests Lizzy and Cathy for pineapple upside-down cake and lots of chat about the '90s. Congrats to Sheila Jo Spencer, this week's Blume Head of the Week! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!
***
All information for Jody's Special Report came from "The Oral History of Mary-Kate and Ashley's Gimme Pizza" written by Alyssa Bereznak for The Ringer.

73. Wiccan Rock Band Feb 07, 2019

Show notes

Alison, Jody, and special guest Lizzy finish "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great," Judy Blume's 1972 novel about a fabulous ten-year-old who conquers her fears. Sheila takes the dreaded swim test and doesn't drown! The Tubmans have a farewell party and everyone's invited – even Jennifer's baby daddy! The gals read one fascinating letter from a Blume Head who works with an adorable rodent named Mouse Ellis. Lizzy tells us all about her childhood show dogs with stripper names, while Alison presents a comprehensive Special Report on Tarrytown: the pre-WWI bombings, historic mansions, summer camps with towel service, and local SAT scores. And then Jody reveals a secret surprise involving our Most Famous Sheila, Sheila E.! Lastly, there's a super duper difficult 1972 trivia quiz, drafted by Blume Head Willie. No Whitewaters to be found. Congrats to Becky and Mouse Ellis for being Blume Heads of the Week!

72. Put it in the Pizza Jan 31, 2019

Show notes

It's sleepover time! The gals read chapters 13-14 of Judy Blume's kid lit classic, "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great." Sheila hosts her very first slumber party, get crushed by a Slam Book, trashes Bobby Egran's prized possessions, and winds up with a butt-full of toothpaste. Great night, all in all! There's also a very scary hayride with a possible werewolf sighting. Jody and Alison re-enact all the best scenes, and discuss sleeping bag couture and how awful pre-teen girls can be. Then Jody gives an impromptu Special Report on how to get ready for a date in 1972. Hint: you need to spare 5 hours. Join the gals for laughs, weird facts, and a little bit of Olsen Twins. Big ups to this week's Blume Head of the Week, Margret Caulton! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

71. Have a Banana Jan 24, 2019

Show notes

Well hello there, 2019! Jody and Alison return with chapters 11-12 of Judy Blume's 1972 novel, "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great." There's a very pregnant pup, a super profesh camp production of "Peter Pan," and of course, more swimming lessons with Marty. Sheila finally puts her face in the water! The girls read a hilarious letter from Blume Head Willie (spoiler: he started his own camp newspaper, just like Sheila), engage in the usual melodramatic readings, and reminisce about their own wannabe thespian experiences. And congratulations to Blume Head of the Week, Rebecca McGoldrick, for telling us about Dr. Drill 'N Fill! It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

70. WORT Dec 27, 2018

Show notes

Alison and Jody close out 2018 with chapters 9-10 of "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great", written by Judy Blume in 1972. Intrepid Sheila starts a gossip-y camp newspaper, won't let anyone help her, and gets schooled by the mimeograph machine. After a terrifying dog-lick attack, Mouse gives Sheila another chance to own up to her faults, but our girl refuses to crack. Meanwhile, Jennifer makes a "friend" and that "friend" goes and knocks her up. What's Sheila gonna do with ALL THESE DOGS?! Alison and Jody discuss Barbie Dream Houses, dumb waiters, sisterly competition, and read a great letter from Blume Head Helen. Heartfelt congratulations to Blume Head of the Week, Anna Lamprey!

69. Once, Twice, Three, Shoot Dec 20, 2018

Show notes

Epic night! Sheila saves Sondra Van Arden from the milk door and partakes in a super scary game of hide-and-seek. Alison and Jody cover chapters 6-8 of Judy Blume's kid lit novel, "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great" (1972). They reenact all the crucial scenes, play some great ads from the early '70s, and Jody reads aloud from her early-'90s diary. Big ups to this week's Blume Head of the Week, Sindy Purr! Be sure to send in your Sheilas and tell us about your hometown hide-and-seek traditions. It's a Judy Blume book club. Join us every week!

68. The Ballad of Bon Qui Qui Dec 13, 2018

Show notes

Sheila Tubman meets Mouse Ellis, the yo-yo Junior Champion of Tarrytown! Your hosts Alison and Jody read chapters 4-5 of Judy Blume's 1972 children's novel, "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great." This summer ain't so bad after all – Sheila's making friends, avoiding dogs, and signing up for day camp. But things start to crack when she gets caught in a lie and is forced to take swimming lessons. Will our gal ever be able to gain Mouse's trust? Will she learn to swim without getting her face wet? On the flip side, Alison and Jody unbox some gorgeous Lip Smackers and an OREO RECORD PLAYER (!!!) from a very generous Blume Head. They also take a quiz on all things Sheila, tell stories about deceased chickens, listen to vintage TV commercials, and embark on some primo dramatic readings. Finally, gigantic congrats to Susan Susan Susan, this week's Blume Head of the Week!

67. Whitewater Dec 06, 2018

Show notes

New book alert! Jody and Alison get back on the Fudge Train with the second in the series, "Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great," written by Judy Blume in 1972. The girls are joined by longtime Blume Head Lizzy as they read chapters 1-3. To set the scene, Jody talks 1972 current events, movies, and hosts a trivia quiz where everyone's a winner! Alison presents her pop music findings, and Lizzy gives us the low-down on fashion of the era. They also dig up Judy's musings on Sheila, and an amazing book review by a real life 10-year-old. Sheila's family moves to Tarrytown for the summer, and it could not be worse. There's a howling dog, a scary spider, and NO YELLOW CARPET WITH A RED ROSE IN THE MIDDLE. Just lots and lots of Testor’s glue. Finally, congrats to Stephanie (otherwise known as Bookshelf Bombshell) for being this week's Blume Head of the Week!

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

The Blume Saloon: A Judy Blume Book Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected