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

Parents say
Based on 29 reviews
Kids say
Based on 101 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Judy Blume's Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret. presents a relatable perspective of a tween/young teen. It came out in 1970, so some of the situations and references may seem dated to today's readers who are grappling with social media, cyberbullying, and school shootings. But the underlying issues of peer pressure, social acceptance, and religion are still current struggles for many tweens. So readers will find it easy to relate to an honest Margaret, who says, "I want to be like everybody else." There's some talk about periods, boys, bras, and body types -- 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 (but these elements aren't presented in ways that sexualize preteens). Margaret grapples with some big questions about growing up, including what religion she should practice (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 could hurry up and grow up. This book is considered a classic, yet it has been frequently challenged due to its frank discussion of religious and sexual topics.
Community Reviews
appropriate for 6th grade girls and up
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Relatable story about navigating life as a preteen
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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: 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: February 4, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love tween reading
Themes & Topics
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