And now, despite Blume's popularity and continuing relevance, her books are once again topping banned lists at school and public libraries around the nation. The extremist Christian Nationalist group Moms For Liberty have her books on recommended-ban lists they send to local organizers, and in states like Florida, finding Blume in a library is highly unlikely.

It's hard for me to imagine people hating Blume's books. They're empowering, frank, engaging, and packed with good values.

But conservatives seem desperate to limit Blume's impact and distribution. They can't stop parents from buying her books for their children, but they're doing a very effective job keeping children whose parents don't buy the books away from the books.

Blume has been speaking out against book banning again, years after it seemed like that battle was over. She's speaking pointedly in solidarity with authors who write for children and adolescents on LGBTQ themes.

PEN America has been spotlighting her to raise awareness of how pervasive book banning is becoming, hoping that adults who loved Blume's writing when they were children will wake up and understand what's happening.

Perhaps the upcoming film will also help wake people up.