Common Sense Media Review
Classic coming-of-age story rings true decades later.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
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Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 26 parent reviews
Parents say the book is seen as both relatable and insightful for preteens, particularly for girls around ages 9 to 12, as it tackles themes like puberty, body image, and navigating friendships. However, it also generates controversy due to perceived inappropriate content, outdated depictions, and concerns about its suitability for younger audiences, leading to mixed feelings among parents as to when their children should read it.
- relatable themes
- mixed reviews
- age appropriateness
- controversial content
- role models
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 100 kid reviews
Kids say this book successfully addresses the challenges of growing up, particularly for girls navigating puberty and the pressures of peer relationships. While some appreciate its relatable content and humor, many criticize the focus on body image and boy-craziness, labeling the messages as outdated and potentially harmful to young readers.
- relatable experiences
- body image issues
- outdated messages
- humor and friendship
- appropriate for tweens
Summarized with AI
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?
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 :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : School ( 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 : March 14, 2026
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