Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Judy Blume
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published February 28, 2023 (Orig 1970)
Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads
About Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.
Margaret shares her secrets and her spirituality in this iconic Judy Blume novel, beloved by millions.
Margaret Simon, almost twelve, likes long hair, tuna fish, the smell of rain, and things that are pink. She’s just moved from New York City to Farbook, New Jersey, and is anxious to fit in with her new friends—Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie. When they form a secret club to talk about private subjects like boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret is happy to belong.
But none of them can believe Margaret doesn’t have religion, and that she isn’t going to the Y or the Jewish Community Center. What they don’t know is Margaret has her own very special relationship with God. She can talk to God about everything—family, friends, even Moose Freed, her secret crush.
Margaret is funny and real. As you read her story, you’ll know why this book has been the favorite of millions of readers. It’s as if Margaret is talking right to you, sharing her secrets with a friend.
My Review
My elementary school teachers read books like Superfudge out loud to us, but I largely missed out on the books Judy Blume wrote for girls. An aunt gave me the book Tiger Eyes when I was in high school, which I read but didn’t like at the time. So, this is my first time reading Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret.
I can see the reason why so many people love and appreciate this book. It centers girls and speaks frankly about the pressure that girls feel during adolescence as their bodies change in ways that their peers notice. I love that. To have a space that normalizes the awkwardness, the questions, and the shifting landscape in relationships between girls is so important.
I also appreciated the exploration of faith and religion, though I suspect that some of the issues might be less relevant today maybe? Margaret’s dad is Jewish, and her mom was raised in a Christian family. Because of this, they’ve decided not to participate in any organized religion and to let Margaret decide what she believes as an adult. This is complicated by the fact that Margaret’s grandparents and some friends want her to choose between Judaism and Christianity, as if she has to pick a side in an argument.
I suspect that community pressure to join a particular faith is probably less now than it was in the 1970s, but that might really depend on where you live and family circumstances. So maybe it’s still super relevant for some young readers!
It’s always fascinating to me to read a novel that would have been classified as “contemporary” when it was written which essentially then is read as historical fiction. Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret. was first published more than fifty years ago.
Yet the importance of safe spaces where girls can talk frankly about their experiences is just as important now as it was back then. I’m really glad I was finally able to read this book.
Why Has Are You There, God? It’s Me Margaret Been Banned?
The open discussion about Margaret’s experience with puberty has prompted its being banned. She and her friends can’t wait to get their periods and develop curves. Margaret also questions whether she’d like to participate in religion. Her family is nonreligious, but she feels left out of the ceremonies and rituals that many of her friends experience, which makes her curious about religion. She goes to services and offers a kid’s view of the experience.
Margaret’s experience will resonate with a lot of readers, especially those experiencing pressure about growing up or asking questions about religion. I’m glad there are books that reinforce that it’s normal to have those kinds of questions around Margaret’s age.
Content Notes
Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.
Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.
Romance/Sexual Content
Margaret wonders when puberty will begin. She discusses her growth (or lack of it) with girl friends. Margaret and her friends do exercises where they flex their chest muscles, hoping this will help them develop their figures.
The girls talk about starting their periods. They also talk about a curvy girl in their class and spread rumors that she’s had sexual experiences with boys. They don’t say anything overt, and, in fact, when someone asks Margaret to explain what she thinks the girl has done, Margaret herself isn’t sure. She only knows it’s something that’s bad or shameful and has to do with boys. It highlights the ignorance and shaming surrounding relationships and sexuality at the time.
Margaret attends a birthday party where the kids briefly play Spin the Bottle and Two Minutes in the Closet. It’s mainly awkward approaching cringey. One boy politely asks Margaret for permission to kiss her. Another makes it clear he’s going to do what he wants (he kisses her on the mouth more than once).
Spiritual Content
Margaret’s grandparents disowned her mother when she married Margaret’s dad because he is Jewish and they are Christian. Margaret’s family is nonpracticing, and her parents want her to choose what, if any, faith she’ll practice when she grows up. She prays to God privately, not sure her whether her family would be supportive of the habit. She visits a synagogue with her grandmother to see if she would like to practice Judaism, and follows a friend to the local Catholic church where she walks into a confessional. At one point, adults argue about whether religion is something you choose for yourself or whether you’re born into it. The conversation makes Margaret uncomfortable.
Margaret includes prayers spoken directly to God as part of the narrative.
Violent Content
Margaret’s dad injures himself while using a lawn mower. She goes looking outside to see if he’s lost a limb, but he just ends up needing stitches. Margaret repeats a hurtful rumor to someone and upsets them. She feels bad about it later and knows she was wrong.
Drug Content
None.
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