It's Not the End of the World

It's Not the End of the World is a young adult novel by Judy Blume that was published by Bradbury Press in 1972. The story centers around 12-year-old Karen Newman, who grapples with the emotional upheaval caused by her parents' decision to divorce. As Karen navigates the complexities of her new reality, the novel delves into themes of family, change, and resilience.

Blume is an acclaimed American author whose extensive body of work has earned her numerous accolades and a dedicated readership. It's Not the End of the World is one of Blume’s early novels, which has been praised for its honest depiction of family dynamics and The Impact of Divorce on Children.

This study guide uses the 2001 revised format edition as published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Plot Summary

Karen lives with her parents, Bill and Ellis, older brother, Jeff, and younger sister, Amy in a house in suburban New Jersey. At the beginning of the novel, Bill and Ellie argue bitterly in front of their kids. Bill criticizes Ellie’s cake, and Ellie responds by smashing it. Karen reacts to the negativity by grading her day a C-.

At school, Karen spends time with her overcommitted but supportive best friend, Debbie. They complain about their teacher, Mrs. Singer, who was nice before she got married but has become mean and strict. Karen has a crush on a boy at school named Gary Owens. Debbie has a crush on Jeff, but he treats her with disdain.

One Saturday, Ellie and Bill don’t go out to dinner like they normally do. Bill does not come home after work. After several days of confusion, Ellie takes the kids out to dinner and announces that she and Bill are separating. Karen doesn’t believe that separation means that they are definitely going to divorce. She struggles to talk to anyone about her feelings. Aunt Ruth, Ellie’s sister, and Uncle Dan start coming over more to help Ellie navigate the divorce. Karen stays home from school, pretending to be sick. Debbie tries to cheer Karen up, but Karen lashes out at her, accusing her of only coming around to see Jeff.

The next night, Bill takes Karen, Amy, and Jeff out to dinner where he confirms that he and Ellie are divorcing. He tells them that the kids usually live with the mother, but he misses them. Karen privately plots ways to get her parents back together.

The news of the divorce spreads. Debbie asks Karen about it, wondering why Karen didn’t say anything. Debbie asks if Bill is fighting for custody. Karen begins to worry that her dad doesn’t want her. Meanwhile, Karen’s grandfather, whom she calls “Garfa,” comes to visit, hoping to convince Ellie and Bill to take a vacation to work out their troubles.

More kids at school learn about the divorce. Karen’s classmate, Eileen, asks if her mom has a lot of money since she’ll have to support them by herself. Karen worries that they’ll be poor now. She resolves to talk about it to Jeff but has trouble pinning him down. She asks her dad about the money situation, and he tells her that he will pay alimony and child support. Ellie announces that she has a new job as a receptionist and she’ll go to school in the evenings to finish her degree. Jeff lashes out and shouts that he’ll live with their dad. Amy complains that Ellie won’t buy her a new toy. Amy cries that Bill would have bought it for her. Ellie smacks her.

After dinner, Aunt Ruth reminisces about Bill and Ellie’s wedding. Karen tries sending her parents an anniversary card to make them remember the special day, but they both react negatively. Karen learns that her father is going to go stay with Garfa in Las Vegas to expedite the divorce.

Karen plans to lure her parents into the same room to look at a Viking diorama she has made. At dinner, Ellie and Jeff have a huge fight. Jeff storms out and disappears. When he doesn’t come home, Bill comes over to help figure out what to do. Bill and Ellie begin fighting so bitterly that Karen starts screaming. Bill slaps her in the face. She cries and runs to her room. She destroys her Viking diorama.

Bill and Ellie both apologize for the incident. Karen doesn’t want to talk about it. She asks Jeff’s friends if they have seen him. Petey laughs and insists that Jeff isn’t dead. Petey won’t tell Karen where Jeff is hiding. Jeff eventually calls and agrees to come home as long as nobody asks him any questions.

Karen finally begins adjusting to the new normal. Amy returns to herself a little bit. Karen gives her day a B+.