Parents' Guide to

Superfudge

By Barbara Schultz, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Funny, honest novel pokes fun at sibling rivalry.

Book Judy Blume Family Life 1980
Superfudge Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 10+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Geri A
Geri A Adult
September 20, 2017
age 9+

Watch out for Santa Who?

I read this when I was younger and decided to read the series to my 7 and 10 year old daughters at bedtime. I completely forgot about the Santa part because I learned the truth before I read the books. My 7 year old Is a firm believer and I'd like to think my 10 year old is too since she has given me no notice otherwise. When I got to that chapter, my contact lens "suddenly fell out of my eye" and I skipped over a bunch of the chapter. On the plus side, we just moved to a new town so there were a lot of situations in the book that my girls could relate to. They love the books and are begging for me to read the next ones. Which is amazing, since my 7 year old is obsessed with My Little Pony and that is all she wants to read about. I wish I would have thought to contact Common Sense Media before reading it thought to avoid the Santa stress. I am here now checking out the next two books for surprises!
2 people found this helpful.
curiositykeeper
curiositykeeper Adult
September 25, 2014
age 10+

Great for the right age level

Judy Blume's books take on hard issues, and give students a place to read about crucial issues. The narrator of this book is a fifth grader, and this book is appropriate for fifth graders. That way the issues in the book will be the ones the reader is encountering. Readers need to know the facts of life and not believe in Santa.
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What's the Story?

SUPERFUDGE is the third book in Judy Blume's "Fudge" series of comedic middle-grade novels. In this installment, the Hatcher family move from Manhattan to Princeton, N.J., for a year to find out how they enjoy suburban life. Amid his usual disagreements with his parents, and annoyance at his little brother Fudge's wild antics, Peter Hatcher has to adjust to some very big changes: making new friends, leaving old ones behind, and adjusting to the many ways in which his own family is changing.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (2):

Like the other books in Judy Blume's Fudge series, Superfudge is a funny, smart, and honest novel about sibling rivalry. As always, Blume's characters ring true to life: loving parents lose their tempers, brothers fight, teachers aren't always nice. But the Hatchers' lives are always amusing, challenging, and "interesting," as Fudge's mom calls him. Young readers will find Fudge hilarious, and they'll feel Peter's pain as well. However, note that this book denies the existence of Santa Claus. Though Superfudge has a lot to offer, some parents will want to skip this one and go straight to Fudgemania.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about moving. Why is Peter so angry about moving to Princeton? How would you feel if your family moved to a new town and you went to a different school?

  • How do you think Superfudge compares with other books in the "Fudge" series?

  • Mr. and Mrs. Hatcher each spank Fudge in this book. Do you think they are right to spank him? Do you think Fudge learns a lesson?

Book Details

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