Sorry, no link, but my mom sent me the article from the NYTimes.
Just an excerpt; there was more.
Oh my God. That’s terrible. I really loved her books as a kid; she created smart, sympathetic, neurotic protaganists that anyone could identify with. In particular, she accurately and sympathetically depicted teen suburban life back in the 1970s-80s. (Sort of a less over-the-top version of Judy Blume.)
What’s freaking me out is that just last week I indulged a nostalgic whim and bought a used copy of The Cat Ate My Gymsuit from an online bookstore. I reread it the day it arrived, and it was just as realistic, poignant and funny as I remembered it. It’s even still on my nighttable as I type this.
My niece is only 8 1/2, but in a couple of years she’ll be getting my copy, and will probably love it too – even with the slightly dated references. (Such as the parents getting down on the unusual teacher who actually referred to herself as “Ms.” and refused to say the Pledge … hm, then again, maybe it’s not all that dated after all.)
I also liked Can You Sue Your Parents for Malpractice? and Heads You Win, Tails I Lose.
Sigh. R.I.P., Paula. I’ll name one of my plants ‘Smedley’ in your honor!
Well, you are all now 2 degrees of separation from her. I went to college with her.
I couldn’t verify on Amazon, but one of my favorite pre teen novels was titled, I believe, Icarus, a god.
sadness.