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Parents' Guide to

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

By Katherine Olney, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

Classic coming-of-age story rings true decades later.

Book Judy Blume Coming of Age 1970
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret: Book Cover

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

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age 12+

Based on 24 parent reviews

Jkc1514
Jkc1514 Adult
January 5, 2019
age 16+

Disturbing

I read this when I was a kid so when my 9 year olds grandmother sent this for Christmas I almost threw it in the trash. I totally remember this book from when I was younger and it can send the wrong message. Kids are so impressionable especially our girls. I remember growing up with body image problems, friend drama, finding dirty magazines, first make outs and so on. However, I am not about to let my 9,10,11,12,13 or even 14 read about it in a book narrated by an insecure child who desperately seeks validation in the wrong way from boys, adults and her friends. I have been speaking to my child about these topics at age appropriate levels every year since kindergarten (on my own and as her mother) when she first brings them up. As a result I’ve gotten to see her make wise choices in letting certain friends go, positive body image, lifting people up and letting certain ones go. This book is classified as a right of passage. But I am not going to normalize increasing our busts so men can touch them. I teach her that lots of boys are going to think she’s pretty but the right one will love her mind, personality, her soul and all good and bad qualities. And not to let one near her until she feels it in her heart and reciprocates. I will teach her about her period, and boobs, and how even though we may not always feel secure we are perfectly imperfect just like everyone else and we don’t need others approval as long as we have our own that’s all that counts. This book is trash. As an insecure child this book sent me the wrong message. Just my take
CSMContentDefault
CSMContentDefault Adult
January 9, 2021
age 13+

piece of trash

i read this book as a tween when my local library was having a book sale. i only picked the book because i knew the author, but i was very disappointed after reading it. the plot is probably 90% about puberty/sexual talk between kids & there isn't a real plot behind that. the main characters in the book are definitely not good role models, because they're only interested in boys and growing boobs lmao
See all 24 parent reviews

What's the Story?

In ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME, MARGARET., Margaret Simon moves from New York City to the New Jersey suburbs, where she's swept up into a group of girls in her sixth grade class who are abuzz about all the stuff that fills most teen and tween minds: romance, bras, bodies, friendship, and more. In addition, born to a Christian mom and a Jewish dad, Margaret is trying to figure out which religion she should practice (if any). She has frank one-sided conversations with God in which she discusses not only the changes she's going through, but her search for a religion that feels right.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (24 ):
Kids say (95 ):

Although this was first published in 1970, tweens will find that it still pretty much rings true today. (It helps that this updated version of Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. has the girls using pads instead of sanitary belts to deal with their first periods.) Margaret is such a relatable character: She worries about being "normal," sometimes says the wrong thing, and even hides her true feelings to be accepted by her friends. Readers will appreciate her honest narration -- which will make them feel a whole lot better about their own anxieties about growing up.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about why people think a sixth grader questioning their relationship with God makes Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. appear so often on the American Library Association's Top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books. Are you surprised that this book would be on the list? What do you think makes it controversial?

  • Margaret worries a lot about being normal, and she wants to grow up -- but she still gets embarrassed by things like bra shopping. Do you understand where her feelings are coming from? How has or hasn't this changed since the book came out in 1970?

  • Do you find any of Margaret's concerns or conversations with God relatable?

  • Margaret's friend Nancy spreads gossip about Laura, saying that Laura lets boys feel her up and that even their teacher can't keep his eyes off her figure. What do you think it's like to be Laura?

Book Details

  • Author: Judy Blume
  • Genre: Coming of Age
  • Topics: Middle School
  • Book type: Fiction
  • Publisher: Yearling Books
  • Publication date: January 1, 1970
  • Publisher's recommended age(s): 9 - 12
  • Number of pages: 149
  • Available on: Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Kindle
  • Last updated: October 4, 2023

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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