Judy Blume is an American author. She has written numerous novels for children and young adults, with sales exceeding 80 million copies and translations into 31 languages. Among her best-known works are Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (1970), Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (1972), Deenie (1973), and Blubber (1974).

Blume was born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and graduated from New York University in 1961. She began writing in 1959 and has published more than 26 novels. Her novels often tackle controversial topics such as racism, menstruation, divorce, bullying, masturbation, and teen sex, which have sparked discussions about the appropriateness of such topics for young audiences.

Blume's contributions to children's and young adult literature have earned her numerous awards, including the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards Award and recognition as a Library of Congress Living Legend. In 2023, Time magazine listed her as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Film adaptations of her work include Tiger Eyes (2012) and Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023).

Blume's novels are praised for educating children and young adults about their bodies. However, the mature topics in her books have led to criticism and controversy, making her one of the most frequently challenged authors of the 21st century.