Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. Judy Blume. Simon and Schuster, c1970. 149 pages.
"Are you there God? It's me Margaret. We're moving today. I'm so scared God. I've never lived anywhere but here. Suppose I hate my new school? Suppose everybody hates me? Please help me God. Don't let New Jersey be too horrible. Thank you (Blume. 1970, p1)."
Plot/ Description: The story centers around a twelve year- old girl named Margaret Simon. Margaret has just moved to New Jersey and will be starting a new school. Margaret’s mother was raised Christian while her father was raised Jewish, however, Margaret’s family does not practice any religion. Although Margaret has no religion she enjoys a private relationship with God, who she often seeks for counsel. At her new school Margaret meets friends who enjoy talking about boys, puberty and gossiping about classmates. The girls promise to let each other know when they start their periods and to discuss all of the juicy details of puberty. Her teacher and friends call Margaret’s lack of religion into question, causing Margaret to decide to explore religions so she can make a choice. Margaret experiences a lot of pressure from her friends to grow up and pressure from her family about choosing her religion, which causes Margaret to stop talking to God. When Margaret starts her period, she thanks God she is not the last one to start and decides to maintain her private relationship with God.
Review: Margaret’s story stands the test of time because puberty is fact of life. The book explores the subjects of anxiety in girls, the sixth grade, puberty, moving to a new state, children and religion, and change. Margaret is a young girl who is anxious to grow up and become a teenager. She and her friends talk about boys and their developing bodies, they also look at Playboy together because they are interested in how their own bodies will change. In addition to her body changes Margaret embarks on her own religious journey as she explores the Christian and Jewish faith, however, she does not feel God’s presence in church or at Temple. Choosing a religion, is Margaret’s first independent decision, showing that while she is waiting for her body to mature her own is mind maturing. This book is most beneficial to pre- pubescent girls who will relate to and be comforted by Margaret's own experiences waiting for her period, and readers will be inspired by Margaret's courage as she looks for religion.
Personal Thoughts: This is a core title of realistic fiction because it explores a common phase of development; when girls anticipate getting their periods and becoming women. Judy Blume writes a candid and honest story about growing up. Many of the events discussed, like, buying pads, talking about boys, worrying about not developing fast enough, and getting the "puberty talk" at school are consistent themes in today's world. Although, the book was written more than thirty years ago, tween girls continue to relate to Margaret.
Genre: Non Sexist Childrens Literature, Realistic Fiction
Reading Level: Ages 9- 12
Awards: Flicker Tale Childrens Book Award (North Dakota): Juvenile Books
Great stone Face Childrens Book Award (New Hampshire)
Nene Award (Hawaii)
Young Hoosier Book Award: Intermediate Books
