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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
informative
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A delightful coming of age drama that talks about puberty and religion. I read it as part of my banned book series that I read from time to time. I think this book is important for young girls, particularly although boys too should know the content. The author doesn't talk down to her readers, which is excellent for a book aimed at children. it's really relatable and accessible about having your first period. It was also interesting from. a religious perspective in terms of one parent being Jewish and the other parent Catholic, with Margaret being left to decide which religion to follow. It is a great book for mothers and daughters to read together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Blood, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I know this shit slaps for 12 yr old girls but I am a 26 yr old man so
just saw the movie so I had to reread the book! reminds me of my childhood!
Read as the “children’s classic published before 1980” for the Read Harder Challenge.
I’d never read this classic before. It gets all the notoriety, I think, for talking directly about periods and puberty. But I think the conversations on religion (her parents are a lapsed Jew and Catholic, with one side even disowning their child for marrying outside of their religion) is far more interesting. Margaret embarks on her own quest for religion, which just reminded me that kids do have minds of their own and can form their own conclusions—a quality I will probably both celebrate and fear in my own child.
I’d never read this classic before. It gets all the notoriety, I think, for talking directly about periods and puberty. But I think the conversations on religion (her parents are a lapsed Jew and Catholic, with one side even disowning their child for marrying outside of their religion) is far more interesting. Margaret embarks on her own quest for religion, which just reminded me that kids do have minds of their own and can form their own conclusions—a quality I will probably both celebrate and fear in my own child.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this a couple of years ago when I was quite young, and think this was definitely the book all girls needed to read as kids. It provides lots of incite about religion (or not having one which is okay) and getting your fist period. Just girly things in general as well. Margaret was a great character to read about, I'll never forget how much I loved this book as a young kid.
Judy Blume is so good at writing children’s books that don’t talk down to her readers. This is a delightful coming of age book that handles so many complicated themes with relatability, approachability, and humor.
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is a frank account of what so many middle school girls are feeling and thinking about physical development and religion.
P.S. now I know why my students blush when they “confess” to reading it.
P.S. now I know why my students blush when they “confess” to reading it.