Judy Blume

Judy Blume has written "a book for every conversation you do not want to have with your child," quipped one of the emcees at Blumesday -- a sold-out event celebrating the 70th birthday of the bestselling author at Hollywood's M Bar on Friday night.

Standing at the window in Judy Blume's Central Park West apartment is like looking out at Fudge territory. Remember Fudge, Peter Hatcher's incorrigible little brother? Remember when Fudge fell off the jungle gym in Central Park while Sheila (otherwise known as "Sheila the Great") was supposed to be watching him? Remember how the ambulance had to be called once because Fudge had swallowed Peter's turtle?

These days, it's easy for the bestselling novelist to maintain contact with the readership. Jennifer Weiner, whose 2001 debut "Good in Bed" chronicled the life and relationships of plus-size Cannie Shapiro, connects almost daily with her fan base via her Web log "SnarkSpot" (jenniferweiner.blogspot.com). She reports on her very advanced pregnancy ("Just got back from the doctor's. This baby is never leaving."