Week 1

Title: Are you there, God? It's me Margaret by Judy Blume

Book Summary

Are you there God? It’s me Margaret is the story of a young girl whose family moves to New Jersey the summer before her sixth grade year. As most girls her age, she looks to her newly acquired friends in search of self identity and finds her spiritualty to be the most challenging to define. Throughout the story, Margaret also endures the physical changes, challenges, and desires brought on by puberty in a very honest way.

My Impressions

I first read Are you there, God? It’s me Margaret when I was in fifth grade and instantly became a fan of Judy Blume. I read every book she wrote and always found a character I could identify within the pages. I wondered if I would feel the same about the story as an adult or would I join the other mothers who banned her books from their children’s shelves. I have to admit, after reading the story as an adult, I couldn’t help but wonder if I already new about spin the bottle or did I discover it from her story. It’s been too long to know for sure, but I still love the story and believe it has a place on our shelves. Judy Blume’s books have a way of addressing pre-pubescent issues in a respectful and honest way. I know I said many prayers and performed many sessions of  “We Must Increase our Bust” only to conceal the answered prayers with oversized t-shirts and camisoles. The only area I felt was dated was the references to Playboy. I think the Internet has replaced the need for adult magazines in the home and know this is where many adolescents are going out of curiosity. I look forward to sharing this story with my daughter when she’s ready.

Professional Review

Publishers Weekly

"With sensitivity and humor Judy Blume has captured the joys, fears, and uncertainty that surround a young girl approaching adolescence."  

Library Use

Middle School

Collaborate with health and/or science teachers to create a collection of books (reference and fiction) that address puberty and the human body to  display in the library or classrooms.  

Bibliography

Blume, Judy. (1970). Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. Bradbury Press. Scarsdale, NY.

Book review. (2001, April 1). [Review of the book Are you there God? It's me Margaret, J. Blume].   
        Publisher's Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-689-84158-3