BFF*: Just As Long As We're Together / Here's to You, Rachel Robinson

Best Friends

by Judy Blume

In this new bind-up, Judy Blume's two stories about three best friends will reach a new set of girls. Stephanie, Rachel and Alison know there will be plenty of family issues, broken hearts, and tough school assignments as they make their way through junior high. But with a good pair of friends, a girl can do anything.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens, Novels, School, Coming Of Age, Middle Grade

512 pages, Library Binding

First published March 27, 2007

About the author

Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Blubber; Just as Long as We're Together; and the five book series about the irrepressible Fudge. She has also written three novels for adults, Summer Sisters; Smart Women; and Wifey, all of them New York Times bestsellers. More than 80 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into thirty-one languages. She receives thousands of letters a year from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her.
Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year the American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Other recognitions include the Library of Congress Living Legends Award and the 2004 National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters.
She is the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation. She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators; the Key West Literary Seminar; and the National Coalition Against Censorship.
Judy is a longtime advocate of intellectual freedom. Finding herself at the center of an organized book banning campaign in the 1980's she began to reach out to other writers, as well as teachers and librarians, who were under fire. Since then, she has worked tirelessly with the National Coalition Against Censorship to protect the freedom to read. She is the editor of Places I Never Meant To Be, Original Stories by Censored Writers.
Judy has completed a series of four chapter books -- The Pain & the Great One -- illustrated by New Yorker cartoonist James Stevenson. She has co-written and produced a film adaptation of her book Tiger Eyes, and is currently writing a new novel.
Judy and her husband George Cooper live on islands up and down the east coast. They have three grown children and one grandchild.

Reviews

[Brianna]

Me at 10 years old again: This is a great book that I couldn't put down. It is filled with everyday life situations and amazing stories. This book has two best friends, someone and Rachel (I forget someone's name), and then comes along Alison. It is about these girls and their differences and issues between them. The first book is better then the seconed. Also, the books are still "the same" and continues on, but the first one is in someone's perspective and the other in Rachel's. The author Judy is still deciding whether to continue with Alison's perspective or not. Even if a few swears and romance can be found in these books, it is still definitely worth a borrow.

[sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

unpopular opinion I actually liked Rachel Robinson and hated Stephanie also Here's to You, Rachel Robinson was much much better than Just As Long As We're Together but thank you Judy Blume for my childhood

[Rachael]

Nostalgia read

[Nairi Davidian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two amazing books about friendship and sticking together, with a hint of middle school romance.

[Nazmin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The situation in this story is that Stephanie starts to become more closer friends with Alison than Rachel who has been her best friend for years. Rachel starts to get jealous and later becomes best friends with someone else. If I put my self in Rachel's shoes I think I would feel jealous and upset. I would feel upset because every time I try to do something special with my best friend Alison is always in the way. I would feel jealous because Stephanie and Alison have so much in common.Also before Alison came Stephanie would always tell me everything, but now she tells Alison everything and keeps secrets from me, which makes me feel left out.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read each of these books separately in the past, and they are both very good. This edition packages them together in one volume with an introduction by Judy Blume. I had always sort of felt something was missing from these stories, and when I read that introduction, realized what that was. The author mentions that she had originally planned to write a THIRD book from the character Alison’s viewpoint in order to complete the story arc. I so, so, so wish that this had happened! Seems highly doubtful now that it will ever happen since these were written almost 30 years ago. Would have really been awesome - sigh…..

[Chloe Resendez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! My third time reading this. I liked how the author put two novels into one book. The two novels are both from two different perspectives. I would highly recommend this to girls who like drama books. Not really for guys. Judy Bloom is a great author and I am planning to read some of her other books.

[Ashini · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is such a good book about two bff meeting a new girl one of them wants to be her friend while the other is left out.

[Mozart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to be as cool as Rachel; and have a big brother like Charlie…( except I did even though when I was reading it I had no clue.)
Stephanie and Alison were kind of throw away characters but still a wonderful book nonetheless. As many have echoed this was my childhood.

Having a beautiful handsome person like ‘Benjamin Moore.’ Judy definitely knew how to write for teenagers regardless of gender.

Oh childhood.

[William Jeanes Memorial Library]

BFF is a Judy Blume collection of two novels. The first one is about Stephanie, her relationship with friends, and the challenges in her life as she begins to face them. The second novel is about Stephanie’s best friend Rachel and her challenges in life. I enjoyed this book as an easy read. It was interesting to read the first part and then here another side of the story from a different character.
-Patron E.H.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 511-page tome is two-books-in-one-volume (with the same characters.) The first was published in 1987 (which I read at age nine) and the second published in 1993 (which I had never read until now.)

Even though I loved Judy Blume novels when I was younger (and still do!), I actually remember disliking the first book Just As Long As We're Together because I thought it was boring. Well, guess what? It's still boring. It's about these three neighborhood girls and their struggles to get along. How do you maintain friendships when one person - by virtue of numbers - is always going to be a third wheel? This is a really significant question and Judy just kind of pats it on the head, which is unlike her. Honestly, the cattiness between girls is more realistic in Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great and Blubber.

I enjoyed the followup book, Here's To You, Rachel Robinson, much more. It spotlights one of the girls and her worries and anxieties. I can relate, Rachel, I can relate!

Quotes:

"You can have more than one best friend at a time," I said.
"No, you can't."
"Why not?"
"Because best means best."

***

"In a hundred years, we'll be dead," Bruce said, sounding gloomy.
"So will everybody."
"No...people who aren't born yet won't be."
"That doesn't count," I said. "Everybody we know will be dead in a hundred years."
"I don't like to think about being dead," Bruce said.
"Who does?" I passed him the doughnut box.

[Dorothy K · Rating 5 out of 5]

BFF is an awesome book about three girls, Stephanie, Rachel, and Alison going through family problems and mostly friendship problems. It’s written by two different perspectives: Stephanie’s and Rachel’s. What I love about this book is that it’s very realistic. Stephanie and Rachel are best friends until outgoing Alison comes in between them. Stephanie and Rachel’s friendship starts to crack, and Alison also suffers because of that. This book is very deep and easy to relate to because we have, or we might, go through the same situation with our friends. I highly recommend it to people of all ages and personalities!

[Annalee Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this as a preteen and loved it.
I love Judy Blume and plan to reread several of her books. I love how this book and the family and teen relationships are still extremely relevant. As a mom of teens, I lived rereading this the through a new perspective.

[Katey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the girls' friendship - but the stories...were a little weak. Steph's storyline was totally predictable; Rachel's was unbelievable. I felt we were missing a ton of details/nuances that could make Rachel and Charles' transformations more realistic.

And also, no one had an issue with Rachel going to the concert? Like, hello, inappropriate.

[audrey :D · Rating 5 out of 5]

just as long as we're together was my favorite book when i was little and i am devastated it took me over a decade to find out there was another book!! i loved rereading just as long as were together and then finally getting to read what was a completely new story for me!!! loves it

[miche (matties mums account) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book


This book had great characters and judy Blumenthal expressed all of there emotions clearly an effectively, I recommend this book.

[704Lindsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting and relatable book about changing friendships. This was quick and fun to read. Highly recommend!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just As Long As We're Together got me through middle school and puberty. I loved this book back then, and it's just as delightful in my 30s.

[Marlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is really entertaining ,and I wish they had one in Alison's perspective.You should really read it.

[Melody Loomis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read both of these books a long time ago and decided to reread them just for fun. Classic Judy Blume stories about friendship. I love them both.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

See my reviews of the individual books.

[Diya · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was a good book

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally liked the ending about that she gets over the problem and changes her perspective about it. I would rate it a 3.5

[Sonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

i remember loving this book

[Susan Strayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Judy Blume captures young teenage reality so well.

[Eloise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It had a lot of different topics but they all came together beautiful.

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

[Beth Yordy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy to read

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrapping up the year with a bit of nostalgia.

[Riley Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently finished "Just As Long As We're Together" by Judy Blume, and I would definitely recommend. This novel is written in First Person point of view, and that is significant to the story because it shows Stephanies, the main character, life through her eyes and her reactions, feelings, and more. Three characters that I found important to the story were Stephanie, Rachel, and Alison. As mentioned earlier, Stephanie is the main character, and we see everything through her perspective. Her relationship with her parents and her brother bring in drama and forgiveness, which helps set the tone within scenes. Stephanie's character traits are welcoming, caring, and devoted. Without Steph, the main conflict wouldn't be the same. Rachel is Stephanie's life long best friend. She is most likely known for being competitive and academically focused. At points throughout the story, she tends to get a little jealous when Stephanie and Alison get too close. Her family and life is not mentioned as much when it comes to personal backgrounds. Alison is known as "the new girl" and plays a significant role within this novel. She is very laid back and calm when it comes to situations. Her family is mentioned quite a bit since her mom is a TV star and her dog can "talk." Her character traits would be strong-willed, outgoing, and confident. The main conflict within this story was as soon as Alison moved into town and instantly becomes close with Stephanie. Obviously, Rachel gets envious of their relationship and doesn't confront Steph about it until later on. This then causes bickering between the two old best friends. The conflict is resolved by Stephanie and Rachel realizing that it is okay to have other friends as they continue to talk out about the inconvenience. The Rachel soon accepts that she can be friends with both Stephanie and Alison. The trio then starts to hang out more often, which then catches to their attention that they should be thankful for what they have when it comes to friendships."Friendship is not about the thought of having the friends, it is about the happiness and joy you get from their hearts," says Stephanie's mother. That one quote definitely hit all of the girls once they started to split and find separate ways. Judy Blume used a decent amount of literary devices throughout the novel. The top three were flashback, creative/realistic imagery, and symbolism. The flashbacks are used when the girls are referring back to issues or important time in their lives, which is used when the girls meet Alison. The imagery is used throughout the entire novel, such as when it describes the appearance of all three girls towards the beginning of the story, and even when there was the fight between some of the girls in the end. Lastly, the symbolism is used when there are major quotes used in some of the chapters. The dialogue got very in depth at points, where someone had to sit back and comprehend the text. The theme of this novel is to be grateful for the opportunities and things you have in your life. Other than the quote about friendship up above, another quote would be "As long as we’re together, that's how we'll be. No trembling. No faltering. We're unstoppable," which is stated towards the end of the book. This relates to the story not only by the title, but the meaning. This shows that friendships are much more worthy. I would highly recommend this novel because it has a lot of meaning and faith to it. This story can easily relate to everybody's life because everyone goes through that phase of broken friendships. This book has inspired me to think through the little things that I feel as if could ruin my day when then I think about how there are other people who have bigger issues. I mostly identify Stephanie because she fought through the bigger conflicts in the story and still held herself as confident. The strength of this book is that it had a lot of meaning and faith in the text. The main weakness is that it was too easy of a read and was not at a high school level. All in all, this book would be perfect for a day at the beach or over summer in general if you are looking for something simple with some depth.