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

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.