Obviously, Beverly Cleary kids were the “non-ethnic” Republicans and Blume kids were from Jewish & Catholic Democrat clans. Blume wrote some pretty racy stuff, for kids and adults. I read both. My parents were immigrants, apolitical, and didn’t have a clue what I was reading: Stephen King at 10, Jackie Collins at 12.
Like your situation I was left alone as to read materials and was reading such trash as the happy hooker and valley of the dolls while
Pre teen. I love my mother but she was way too Laissez faire. I did not repeat those errors.