Kids can be cruel. It's a cliche, but it most certainly has some
truth behind it. And no author better portrayed the mentality
behind bullying better than Judy Blume did in "Blubber." The
protaganist of "Blubber", Jill, is just an average girl who joins
her class in the persecution of an overweight girl, Linda. She goes
along with this persecution because she wants to fit in with her
classmates and because of the sheer "fun" of it. It's real life,
and anyone who has experienced Junior High School will recognize
this vicious cycle of bullies, follow-the-leaders, and
victims.
This is not a sitcom. There is no contrived happy ending or
clear-cut victory for anyone. Linda is not a particularly likeable
character. The ringleader of the bullies, Wendy, never gets her
comeuppence. It's real life. Bullies get away with being creeps,
and not every victim is a wonderful person. "Blubber" is a
disturbing, but honest book.