Module 1/SLIS 5420/June 7-13
Bibliography
Blume, J. (1970). Are you there, God? It's me, Margaret. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
ISBN: 0-689-84158-2
Summary
Margaret just moved from the big city to New Jersey and is about to find out that being in sixth grade isn't as simple as it sounds. It's not cool to wear socks with your loafers, all the girls want to get their period, and she must, she must, she must increase her bust! If Margaret knew that being almost-twelve was this complicated, she might have skipped the year all together. With hilarity and charm, Judy Blume is able to encapsulate all the crazy ups and downs every sixth grader feels and tell Margaret's story so that most tween girls can relate and even feel a little better about puberty and growing up.
My Impressions
I've always adored Judy Blume, but it has been 20 years since I last read her timeless stories. I began reading her books as a third-grader, anticipating the years ahead, with Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, but, it was Margaret who taught me that I wasn't the only kid going through some weird growing pains. Margaret is confused about religion, but she has a solid relationship with God. This is an underlying theme throughout the book and really shows how strong Margaret is, despite her normal insecurities. I think a strong female like Margaret is an excellent way to show young girls that, just because you might not be developing at the same rate as all your friends - you definitely are not the only one worried about it. A poignant moment in the story is when Margaret's know-it-all friend, Nancy, gets her period. Margaret looks up to Nancy and wishes she could be so "street smart" and cool. But, in this scene we find out that Nancy is just as fragile as Margaret and is navigating the same confusing path to adolescence.
Reviews
"If anyone tried to determine the most common rite of passage for preteen girls in North America, a girl's first reading of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret would rank near the top of the list. Judy Blume and her character Margaret Simon were the first to say out loud (and in a book even) that it is normal for girls to wonder when they are ever going to fill out their training bras. Puberty is a curious and annoying time. Girls' bodies begin to do freakish things--or, as in Margaret's case, they don't do freakish things nearly as fast as girls wish they would. Adolescents are often so relieved to discover that someone understands their body-angst that they miss one of the book's deeper explorations: a young person's relationship with God. Margaret has a very private relationship with God, and it's only after she moves to New Jersey and hangs out with a new friend that she discovers that it might be weird to talk to God without a priest or a rabbi to mediate. Margaret just wants to fit in! Who is God, and where is He when she needs Him? She begins to look into the cups of her training bra for answers ..." - Amazon.com Book Review
"Gr. 5-7. Margaret, the daughter of a Jewish-Protestant union, has all sorts of questions about her role in the world; so she asks God." - Booklist, September 1, 1995
Suggested Library Use
This is a great book selection for a tween book club (especially for 5th or 6th grade). This book has been a bit controversial due to it's treatment of adolescent issues and religion - but it's classic status should rise above and make this an excellent pick to recommend to the tween readers.
This is also a great book to introduce in early sex education and "changing bodies" classes. It's a delicate balance to introduce books with these themes to young girls without making them feel embarrassed or uncomfortable - so a great alternative to verbal recommendations is to set out a display of popular tween books in the library or classroom and allow students to pick up the book themselves.
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