Just Jennifer

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume (Knopf, June 2, 2015)

Blume’s latest adult novel frames a young girl’s story with an almost foot-note in twentieth-century New Jersey history, three plans coming from or going to Newark Airport crash in Elizabeth during 58 days the winter of 1951-1952.  Fifteen-year-old Miri Ammerman, her family and friends are unsure how to react to the crashes, what is fact and what is hysteria manufactured through fear: aliens, communism among other fears.  Blume deftly mixes fact and fiction using historically accurate details as she intermingles real live victims (Truman’s secretary of war) with fictional characters such as the one who Miri’s best friend is certain one of the victims has taken up her mind and body allowing her to excel at dancing.  IN addition to her worries and fears dealing with the plane crashes (one of which Miri witnessed firsthand).  Miri also deals with her single mother, her grandmother with whom they live, an uncle, a journalist who provides inspiration for Miri, and an Irish boyfriend who is an orphan.  Filled with Blume’s usual tropes, this book feels like a welcome visit from a long lost friend.