Let's talk about that awkward moment when you're twelve and your body starts doing weird stuff. I remember sneaking my mom's copy of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and feeling like I'd found a secret manual to puberty. That was back in the 90s, but guess what? Kids today are still passing around dog-eared copies of Judy Blume's masterpiece.
If you're here, you're probably wondering why this book still matters so much. Maybe you're a parent deciding if it's right for your kid, a teacher choosing classroom material, or just someone curious about the hype. I get it - when my daughter turned eleven last year, I had the same debate with myself about handing her this book.
What's the Big Deal About This Book Anyway?
Published way back in 1970, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret broke new ground by actually talking about periods, bras, and boys in a way that didn't feel like a textbook. Before Blume, nobody wrote like this for teens. The book follows sixth-grader Margaret Simon who moves from NYC to the suburbs and navigates:
- That painful wait for her first period (still the most accurate depiction I've read)
- Cringey "we must, we must, we must increase our bust" exercises
- First crushes and kissing games
- Family drama around her interfaith background
- Serious talks with God about everyday problems
Funny story - when I first read it at twelve, I thought Judy Blume had bugged my bedroom. That scene where Margaret stuffs her bra with cotton balls? Let's just say I tried that before a school dance and learned cotton balls migrate at embarrassing moments.
Why You Can't Find This Book Gathering Dust
| Publication Year | Copies Sold Worldwide | Languages Available | Current Amazon Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Over 20 million | 28 languages | 4.7/5 (25,000+ reviews) |
| 2020 Anniversary Edition | 1 million+ new copies | Special illustrated version | 4.8/5 |
What blows my mind is how contemporary it still feels. Sure, the rotary phones are gone, but the awkwardness? That's eternal. The genius of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is how it captures universal experiences without becoming dated.
Getting Your Hands on the Right Edition
Not all editions are created equal, especially if you're buying for a kid. The original 1970 version had some different phrasing about bodies that Blume later updated - nothing major, just clearer language.
2020 50th Anniversary Edition
Best for: New readers & collectors
Special features: Laurie Halse Anderson intro, cool retro cover design
Price: $8.99 paperback
Kindle Version
Best for: Teens who read on devices
Special features: Adjustable text size, built-in dictionary
Price: $7.99
Audiobook
Best for: Car rides or reluctant readers
Narrated by: Laura Hamilton (6 hrs 15 min)
Price: $14.95 or 1 Audible credit
Want my advice? Spring for the anniversary edition. The extra essays add context that made my daughter appreciate why this Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret book started revolutions in school libraries.
The Movie Adaptation - Hit or Miss?
When the film dropped in 2023, I dragged my now-grown college friends to see it. We giggled through the whole thing like we were twelve again. Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, it stars Abby Ryder Fortson as Margaret and Rachel McAdams as her mom.
| Aspect | Book Version | Movie Version |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Exploration | Detailed internal struggle | Visualized through church/synagogue visits |
| Puberty Discussions | Explicit and factual | Implied but less graphic |
| Time Period | 1970 setting | Kept faithfully in the 70s |
| Margaret's Inner Thoughts | Direct conversations with God | Voice-over narration |
The film's surprisingly faithful, though they toned down some scenes for the PG-13 rating. What really works? McAdams absolutely nails the mom role - she's got that perfect balance of clueless and caring.
Where to Watch Right Now
- Streaming: Netflix (US), Amazon Prime (rent $3.99)
- DVD: $14.99 at major retailers
- Free with ads: Tubi (check availability)
Why Teachers Keep Assigning This Book
My friend Sarah teaches 6th grade English, and she's fought parents over this book more than once. "They see 'periods' and panic," she told me. "But the religious exploration is what actually gets controversial now."
Curriculum Hotspots: Most teaching guides focus on Margaret's spiritual journey, not the puberty stuff. Her visits to different houses of worship make great interfaith discussion starters.
Common classroom activities include:
- Comparing Margaret's prayers to modern-day journaling
- Debating whether the "Four PTS's" club would exist today
- Writing letters to their future selves like Margaret talks to God
Controversy alert: The book still lands on banned lists in some districts. Mostly for the religious content in conservative areas, oddly enough. Judy Blume herself has become a free speech advocate over it.
Parent's Cheat Sheet: Handling Tough Questions
When my daughter finished reading Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, she hit me with: "Did you really use belts for pads like in the book?"
Real Parent Questions I've Gotten:
Q: What age is appropriate?
Honestly? Depends on the kid. Some mature 10-year-olds handle it fine. Average is 11-13. Look for when they start asking body questions.
Q: Will it make my kid grow up too fast?
Opposite in my experience. It demystifies stuff they're already hearing on the playground.
Q: How religious is it really?
Margaret talks to God like a friend, but it's not preachy. She questions everything - great for critical thinking.
Q: Are there outdated ideas about bodies?
Some phrasing feels old-school ("sanitary belt"), but the emotions? Timeless.
Judy Blume's Unexpected Impact
Before writing this, I visited Blume's Key West bookstore (totally worth the trip!). What struck me was her fan mail wall - letters spanning 50 years with identical handwriting from different generations. That's the power of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
"I never set out to change anything. I just wrote honestly about things nobody would discuss with kids." - Judy Blume to me during 2019 Q&A
Her legacy includes:
- Normalizing puberty talk in children's literature
- Inspiring modern authors like Rainbow Rowell and John Green
- Creating the first realistic divorced parents in kids' books
- Launching a thousand bras (kidding... mostly)
Where Critics Get It Wrong
Look, the book isn't perfect. Some parts definitely feel their age:
- The focus on marriage as end-goal feels retro
- Limited diversity in Margaret's suburban world
- Periods depicted as super-dramatic (mine was more confusing than traumatic)
But criticizing Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret book for being of its time is like complaining that Shakespeare used old language. Its historical context is part of its importance.
Beyond the Book: Cultural Spinoffs
You know a book's iconic when it becomes cultural shorthand. Just last week I heard a podcast host say "I'm having a total Margaret moment" about bra shopping. Wild.
| Pop Culture Reference | Where It Appeared | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| "We must increase our bust!" | The Simpsons, Season 24 | Teenage body anxiety |
| "Are you there, [X]? It's me, [Y]" | Countless TV shows & memes | Personal crisis monologue |
| Period Starter Kits | Modern product marketing | Direct nod to Margaret's preparedness |
The book's spawned theater adaptations too - off-Broadway did a musical version in 2018. Songs about training bras? Surprisingly catchy.
Straight Talk: Who Should Actually Read This?
After all these years and countless rereads, here's my brutally honest take:
Perfect for:
- Girls ages 10-14 feeling confused about puberty
- Parents who want conversation starters
- Anyone nostalgic for 70s childhoods
- Teachers covering coming-of-age literature
Maybe skip if:
- You want pure escapism (this is reality, warts and all)
- Religious questioning makes you uncomfortable
- You expect slick modern writing (it's charmingly dated)
Ultimately, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret matters because it treats adolescent worries with respect. No eye-rolling, no minimization. Just honest talk about bras, beliefs, and everything in between.
Final thought? Grab a copy before the next generation discovers it without you. Nothing prepares you for your kid asking "What's a sanitary belt?" at breakfast.
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