Forever by Judy Blume

Blume, J.  (1975).  Forever.  Bradbury Press.

High school seniors Katherine and Michael are sure that they're going to love each other forever, but will a summer apart change their relationship?

Katherine and Michael meet at a party at Erica's (Katherine's friend) house, and at first, she isn't interested in him, but she changes her mind when he learns that Michael asked her last name and phone number.  Katherine and Michael start dating.  She is cautious because her previous boyfriend only dated her because he thought she would have sex with him, which she does not.  Gradually Katherine's and Michael's relationship grows, but whenever things go too far for her, sexually, she stops Michael.  Katherine wants to make sure she's ready for sex, both physically and mentally, and Michael understands.  Later, Michael invites Katherine to go skiing in Vermont with his sister and her husband.  When she asks her parents for permission, they tell her that they'll need to seriously think about it, and she understands.  They give her permission to go, and in Vermont, Katherine's and Michael's relationship escalates.  Michael tells her that he loves her.  Katherine isn't ready to say this back to Michael, but she does know that she cares about him.  They end up falling asleep in each other's arms.  They spend the next day skiing (Michael teaches Katherine), and later Michael's sister tells Katherine that she cares about her brother and doesn't want to see him get hurt.  Katherine realizes that she loves Michael, and later they have sex.  When they return, Katherine's parents are concerned that their relationship is getting a bit too serious and that they're too young to get so serious.  Katherine and Michael are separated that summer.  They will both be working and will not be able to see each other or spend time together.  Katherine feels that they're growing apart, and there are other love interests for them.  Katherine and Michael both realize that what they had together was a good thing, but their relationship has to end.  They'll both be going away to college and will meet other people, but they will always have what they had. 

As I was reading this book, I kept expecting Katherine to get pregnant, but that didn't happen.  This book was simply about young love.  Two teenagers took their relationship to the next level.  Katherine didn't do anything she wasn't ready for, and she didn't let anyone pressure her into doing anything she didn't want to do.  Michael didn't pressure Katherine either.  He respected her decision to wait.  They loved each other and did what they did out of love for each other.  This is something I really liked about this book.  It was a story about two young people who showed their love for each other.  The title refers to how long Katherine and Michael will love each other (forever).

Judy Blume received the Edwards Award for this book.  Learn more about her by visiting her website at http://www.judyblume.com/home.php.  You will also see a list of her books, which include the Fudge Series, Are You There, God?  It's Me, Margaret, and Tiger Eyes.