Double Fudge by Judy Blume

There are two Farley Drexel Hatchers? That's what Pete and his family discover on a trip to Washington, D. C. There, Pete's father rediscovers his cousin, Howie. Howie also has two girls, Flora and Fauna, who are about Pete's age in addition to the Farley who is a couple years younger than the Fudge we've grown to know and love. 

We also get to see past series favorites like Sheila Tubman and Jimmy Fargo, the latter of whom is moving out of the neighborhood with his father which upends Pete's world to no end.

Everything is changing but many things stay the same. A little more out there than some of the books in this series but still enjoyable. 

Four stars

Fudge #5

This book came out September 30, 2002

Follows Fudge-a-Mania

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Fudge-a-Mania by Judy Blume

It's summer (yay!) and Peter's parents have a lead on a place to stay. Too bad the tip came from Sheila Tubman's parents. And that he's going to be staying right next door to her all summer long. Add in shenanigans of Fudge wanting to marry Sheila, Buzz Tubman and Peter's grandmother getting along Very Well, and Peter not telling Jimmy where Sheila's actually staying before his best friend visits and you have a rollicking good story. 

Four stars

Fudge #4

This book came out in 1990

Follows Super Fudge

Followed by Double Fudge

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Superfudge by Judy Blume

Peter and Fudge are about to have some major life upheavals. First, their mother is pregnant. Second, they're going to be living in Princeton (NEW JERSEY!) for a year while their dad takes a sabbatical to write a book. 

Peter is NOT happy. And finding out he's going to be in the same school as Fudge makes it even worse, especially when he's called into the principal's office on the first day to help deal with Fudge. But he does make a new friend, Alex, so that's not so bad.

Is this book a little dated? In some ways. As with many of Blume's books, though, the overarching themes stand the test of time. 

Four stars

Fudge #3

This book came out in 1980

Follows Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

Followed by Fudge-a-Mania

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume

Sheila Tubman was a side character in Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Now, she's front and center. She has a little bit of a lying problem along with a fear of swimming and dogs. Her family is getting out of the city for the summer and watching another family's house. And dog...

She's going to make some new friends this summer, including Mouse who isn't going to put up with Sheila's lies, but is surprisingly good at not calling her out on it. 

Four stars

Fudge #2

This book came out in 1972

Follows Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Followed by Superfudge

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy Blume

This book actually holds up from my childhood and hearing Judy Blume read it herself was... just so amazing. 

Peter Hatcher is nine years old and is figuring out his life, especially having to navigate it with his two-year-old brother who everyone calls Fudge. Both are a little precocious but hearing about Peter's book report, and how others rely on him to help not only navigate the world (Fudge's birthday party and then Dad taking them to the moview) but to demonstrate to Fudge how he should be acting. Then there's navigating having a little brother who breaks into his room, destroys his homework, and eats turtle.

Four stars

Fudge #1

This book came out in 1972

Followed by Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great

Borrowed as audiobook from Libby

Opinions are my own