#8 Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.

Blume, Judy. Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret. New York :   Random House, 1970. Print.



Annotation:
Margaret Simon is turning 12 and gaining on 16! Upon moving from New York city to the suburbs, she meets new friends and joins a secret club in which boys, bras and getting your first period are the main topics. Margaret's friends questions why she doesn't 'have' a religion -so does Margaret!

Justification for Nomination :
As if moving to a new neighborhood and trying to make freinds is not challenging enough, eleven year old Margaret is beginning puberty. Upon entering her new school, she meets Nancy, Janie and Gretchen with whom she forms a secret club. They talk about boys, bras and wonder when they will get their first periods. All of these topics make Margaret feel she is growing up and crossing into new exciting 'adult' territory.

One subject Margaret doesn't discuss too often with friends is  religion- none of her friends can believe that she doesn't have one! Her mother is Christian and her father is Jewish, making Margaret a product of an interfaith marriage. Margaret doesn't go to Sunday school like most of her new friends. Throughout the novel, whenever she is worried or feeling vulnerable Margaret  has her own secret conversation with God. ." Are you there God? It's me ,Margaret" is  the signature title for how these conversations begin !

Judy Blume creates such a realistic view of what it means to be sixth grader ! Apparently, this authentic portrayal of adolescences is why so many of her books have  been criticized and placed on the 'Challenged List'. Specifically, in this novel, her characters discuss getting their first period, applying the sanitary pad and stuffing their bra with cotton balls.  Also, there is a reference to her father's "Playboy" and Margaret goes to a party where the kids play "Two Minutes in the Closet" ( kissing games) .These moments perfectly capture the drama of  a  pre-teens' life, but also spark the controversy Judy Blume has become accustomed to in her long career as a young adult author.

 I  read Judy Blume's books as a teenager and remember instantly being able to identify with her character's emotional  reactions. Blume writes from the heart . She delivers a clear authentic voice that tweens 'get' from the first few pages. Are you there God? It's Me Margaret  gives an honest portrayal of what is means to be a twelve year old girl with a changing body and a strong need to fit in . Judy Blume captures the essences of the adolescent experience -with or without controversy!





Genre Category: Challenged Title/Coming of Age/Realistic/Problem