Synopsis:
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.
Review:
I’m aware as a 25 year old, I’m not the intended audience for this book, but I want to watch the adaptation and I like to read the book first.
Even though I’m not the intended audience, I did enjoy this book. It was a super quick read and I liked how it felt like Margaret was talking directly to you the whole time.
Margaret is a very sweet character. She’s so wholesome and a little clueless at times, especially in the sections where she’s desperate to get her period. This is set in the 60s (I think) so things were very different then. I couldn’t imagine a teen asking God to get their period these days–at least I wouldn’t have.
I would have adored this as a pre-teen. It’s a very powerful coming-of-age story and while ideals have definitely changed since it was published in the 70s, it’s still a journey that most young people go through.
I also loved how Judy Blume didn’t push any one religion. Yes, Margaret is talking to God for the whole book, but she doesn’t know what to believe in. Even in the end, she doesn’t decide on one religion. I think it’s important to let people choose their own religion or to not choose one at all when they get older.
Overall, this hasn’t been my favourite read of the year, but I do think that’s because of my age. I would have loved this as a teen and I’d still give it a solid rating.
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Like this post? Why not read this one too: Book Confessions: Tropes I Hate
[…] Like this post? Why not read this one too: Book Review: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume […]
“I also loved how Judy Blume didn’t push any one religion.”
In a way, she did. Judy Blume’s bias for her own religion – Judaism – came out, in ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.’
Judy Blume’s bias came out in the way in which she portrayed the grandparents. In the book, Margaret has a beautiful relationship with her Jewish grandmother, but, the Christian grandparents are portrayed very negatively in it. They disowned Margaret’s mother (their daughter) for marrying a Jewish man, & had 0 contact with her & the family for years, while Margaret was growing up, despite her mother constantly trying to reach out to them. Then when they finally do come, they come at a most inconvenient time for Margaret (when she wants to join the Jewish grandmother in Florida).
What Judy Blume should have done, was have both sets of grandparents dote on Margaret, all the while oppose one another, regarding what religion Margaret should be.
That said, when I did read it (admittedly, as an adult) I did enjoy the book, & I got it for my niece for Christmas, one year. I figured that it was a book that she could relate to, as she is entering puberty, plus being raised in an interfaith family (my brother is Christian, & my sister-in-law is Hindu).