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Are You There God? It's Me Margaret.
- By Judy Blume
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Classic coming-of-age story rings true decades later.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book presents a pretty realistic take on what it's like to be a sixth-grade girl (which means it's fine for girls a bit younger since they are always looking ahead): Readers will find it easy to relate to honest Margaret, who says "I want to be like everybody else." There's some talk about periods, boys, bras, and bodies -- and Margaret sneaks her father's Playboy for her curious friends to look at. She and her friends gossip about the most-developed girl in class, and, at a party, the kids play "Two Minutes in the Closet" and other kissing games. Margaret grapples with some big questions about growing up, including what religion she should be (if any). She talks to God in a very personal way and at one point even gets so angry at him that she refuses to talk to him anymore. Ultimately, tweens learn that they're not alone in wishing that they would hurry up and grow up.
What's the story?
When Margaret Simon moves from New York City to the New Jersey suburbs, she's swept up into a group of sixth-grade girls abuzz about all the stuff that fills most teen and tween minds: boys, bras, bodies, friendship, and more. In addition, Margaret, born to a Christian mom and Jewish dad, is also trying to figure out which religion she should be, 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?
ARE YOU THERE GOD, IT'S ME MARGARET was first published in 1970, but tweens will find that it still it pretty much rings true today (especially since this updated version 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 that their own anxieties about growing up.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about the fact that author Judy Blume is the author of five books that appear on the American Library Association's Top 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2000-2007. Are you surprised that this book is 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. This book was written in 1970 -- do you think a lot has changed since then? Do you feel like you relate to Margaret?
Margaret's friend Nancy spreads gossip about Laura -- she says 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? Do you think girls who develop early still get targeted in this way?
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- Teens & kids
Kid, 11 years old
August 13, 2009
AGE
I loved this book! It was funny and very educational at the same time!! =]
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Teen, 15 years old
April 21, 2010
AGE
Not One of My Favorites.
A lot of girls I know really enjoyed this book, because it was, in their words, "an excellent coming of age novel." I read it when I was 10. Personally, I couldn't relate to it, because Margaret is obsessed with physically developing, which I never really cared about. Also, she kind of just follows the herd, and listens to whatever everyone else says. I'm not like that at all. This book is also pretty dated, considering it was written in the early 1970s. It's a period piece...no pun intended. I guess a "girly" girl might like it.
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Teen, 13 years old
November 19, 2010
AGE
:) Awesome.
When my mother recommended the book, I was interested.
I can relate to Margret, in so many ways. I loved it. It's a quick read, but defiantly worth reading. Read it in about a day.
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Parent of 13 year old
August 17, 2010
AGE
mild sexual behaviour
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Teen, 13 years old
November 19, 2010
AGE
Judy Blume, you've done it again!
I'm in grade 8, I have read it 10+ times.
It is a wonderful book, great for those going through "That time"
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Kid, 10 years old
August 15, 2010
AGE
Good for anyone who is dealing with puberty
Magret is mature but yet acts her age too. I think we are all margrets.
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Teen, 13 years old
April 22, 2010
AGE
Great middle school (pre-middle school) reading
I read this when I was ten. I loved it. To be honest, I can barely remember what happened. But it's a classic. I loved it.
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Kid, 11 years old
August 30, 2010
AGE
good for middle schoolers
best book i've ever read
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Kid, 12 years old
August 21, 2009
AGE
tweens will love it
i love this book its funny and very good.
I would recomed this book for 10 up.
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Teen, 13 years old
February 24, 2010
AGE
Every girl should read this before if not during 6th grade.
I absolutely love this book. Margaret is the type of girl we can all relate to. She has friendship problems (i.e. Nancy) and she has problems with coming into herself and her body as we most do (i.e. stiffing her bra with cotton balls). Another big part of the novel is religion. Margaret doesn't really have a religion since her mother is a Christian and her father is Jewish, so she feels the pull to choose. The book follows her search for her own self body wise (her wanting her period) and spirit wise (choice of religion). I read Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret when I began middle school, and now as I am almost done with my last year before starting the four year journey of high school, I believe that Margaret's story truly stated the confusion of being a preteen where you are just being that awkward stage of your body developing, and your starting to become more of your own person instead of your parent. I read the book at 11, but I recommend it for anyone grade 5 and up. The book does talk about something topics that are a little older such as bras, periods, and boys, but none of those topics are inappropriate for preteens. Every girl should read this book before she is 13, though it would be more informing and educational if she read it around 10-11.
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| Author: | Judy Blume |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Yearling Books |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1970 |
| Number of pages: | 149 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 - 9 |
| Read alone: | 10 - 10 |
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