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andotherworlds's review against another edition
NR // Ok so for starters I was and am a Judy Blume stan. My shared copy of Double Fudge was a highly coveted reason for unbridled warfare between my sister and I. Blume is a master in encompassing peak summertime elementary school aged girl.
As for Are You There God It’s Me Margaret, I never got around to reading it as a kid so I don’t have any nostalgia attached (which is where my first problem lies in reading it now).
It’s not that this book was necessarily bad or that it had a major plot hole or any antiquated discussion on girls coming of age. In fact, I would recommend it for younger girls in that elementary school age range (ITS INTENDED DEMOGRAPHIC DJFJF).
But for moi, it just did not hit. It was giving dork diaries sans sass with major girl next door energy. After reading Norma Klein’s It’s Okay That You Don’t Love Me - which albeit DID center around a 17 yr old - I felt like that quirky and taboo vibes these types of books were all about was lost on me. I just can’t find myself getting riled up over the mention of period blood or shaving for the first time anymore - but I will say this did make me reminisce on some of my own ditsy middle schooler experiences.
So no rating for this one but do know that I would recommend this to its targeted demographic!!
P.S. if the movie does not have the “I must I must increase my bust” then it will have failed in all capacities
As for Are You There God It’s Me Margaret, I never got around to reading it as a kid so I don’t have any nostalgia attached (which is where my first problem lies in reading it now).
It’s not that this book was necessarily bad or that it had a major plot hole or any antiquated discussion on girls coming of age. In fact, I would recommend it for younger girls in that elementary school age range (ITS INTENDED DEMOGRAPHIC DJFJF).
But for moi, it just did not hit. It was giving dork diaries sans sass with major girl next door energy. After reading Norma Klein’s It’s Okay That You Don’t Love Me - which albeit DID center around a 17 yr old - I felt like that quirky and taboo vibes these types of books were all about was lost on me. I just can’t find myself getting riled up over the mention of period blood or shaving for the first time anymore - but I will say this did make me reminisce on some of my own ditsy middle schooler experiences.
So no rating for this one but do know that I would recommend this to its targeted demographic!!
P.S. if the movie does not have the “I must I must increase my bust” then it will have failed in all capacities
amber_hastings's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I'd have loved this book at age 12, when dealing with periods and crushes and fitting in with friends, and life's big questions about who you are and what you believe in.
I expected to love this more than I did and I think that's for a few reasons: firstly, I just finished It's Not The End of The World, and I think that's the superior of these two Judy Blume books. There's a more emotional core to the other book, and I found the main character more lovable. Secondly, I thought it was going to be funnier and with a stranger plot. In actuality I found Margaret a little insufferable, and too earnest rather than naive. Though perhaps the audiobook narration is a culprit for that!
It's still a book I'd recommend for girls of that age, and I enjoyed the questions about religion, identity and belonging within the family, as well as the accurate portrayal of female friendships at that age!
I expected to love this more than I did and I think that's for a few reasons: firstly, I just finished It's Not The End of The World, and I think that's the superior of these two Judy Blume books. There's a more emotional core to the other book, and I found the main character more lovable. Secondly, I thought it was going to be funnier and with a stranger plot. In actuality I found Margaret a little insufferable, and too earnest rather than naive. Though perhaps the audiobook narration is a culprit for that!
It's still a book I'd recommend for girls of that age, and I enjoyed the questions about religion, identity and belonging within the family, as well as the accurate portrayal of female friendships at that age!
natalie_is_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Watched the trailer for the movie then saw the book at the library and thought it’d be a good one to read in an hour to knock another book off my reading challenge!
strawberry_lemonadee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
an absolutely timeless book about the struggles of puberty and feeling divided between religions. it follows Margaret, a young girl who moves from New York to New Jersey just before the beginning of 6th grade.
she meets a group of friends, and joins their secret club, where they talk about puberty, boys, and typical superficial things that middle schoolers worry about.
throughout the book, Margaret struggles with the conflict of choosing a religion, as her mother was raised Christian but her dad was raised Jewish, therefore they raised her free of religion. although she isn't quite sure what religion she wants to be, she still prays to God frequently, asking for help and trying to build a relationship with him.
the middle school drama and emotions sprinkled in perfect the book, making it relatable to just about any girl. I also enjoyed Margaret's close relationship with her grandmother, visiting her at any possible moment even when she's far away.
the subjects of breasts and periods are frequent in the book, as Margaret's friends all obsess over periods and even lie about getting them. they also do an "exercise" to try and grow their breasts, saying "We must, we must, we must increase our bust!". of course, thing like these may make male readers uncomfortable, but they further increase the relatability to young girls.
overall, I think this is an amazing book.
she meets a group of friends, and joins their secret club, where they talk about puberty, boys, and typical superficial things that middle schoolers worry about.
throughout the book, Margaret struggles with the conflict of choosing a religion, as her mother was raised Christian but her dad was raised Jewish, therefore they raised her free of religion. although she isn't quite sure what religion she wants to be, she still prays to God frequently, asking for help and trying to build a relationship with him.
the middle school drama and emotions sprinkled in perfect the book, making it relatable to just about any girl. I also enjoyed Margaret's close relationship with her grandmother, visiting her at any possible moment even when she's far away.
the subjects of breasts and periods are frequent in the book, as Margaret's friends all obsess over periods and even lie about getting them. they also do an "exercise" to try and grow their breasts, saying "We must, we must, we must increase our bust!". of course, thing like these may make male readers uncomfortable, but they further increase the relatability to young girls.
overall, I think this is an amazing book.
andreiaoh's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
wolfgold's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.0
neenthefiend's review against another edition
2.0
I honestly don’t really know how to feel. It distracted me from my altitude sickness for sure is what I will say. It’s utility shined through in this instance.
mariahistryingtoread's review against another edition
5.0
I read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret when I was personally too young for its themes. Ironically, it instilled in me a few insecurities it was seeking to ameliorate for other young girls. I never considered my bust before reading this book and was hyper aware about it afterwards. On a lighter note, it's the reason I started counting hats in kingdom hall to pass the time.
I’m surprised by how much I remembered. I naturally assumed that there was much I didn’t because I didn’t have many memories, but in actuality the book is just short. It’s a year in the life of Margaret - a girl trying to make her way the best she can. Not a lot happens because barring extreme circumstances (of which there are a plenty nowadays in contemporary middle grade) most of your life will be long stretches of technically ‘nothing’.
It also served to highlight how inconsequential so many of the things you think are so important are in the grand scheme of your life. Margaret made a big deal out of things because they really are a big deal at that age. This is her first time being almost 12. She has no life experience or frame of reference to draw from to keep perspective. That comes with time. As an adult it was a funny feeling to read about incidents she deemed the end all be all of her life, when I know for a fact she’ll be lucky to recall a quarter of what she felt 10 years on from that point. I’ve got the broad strokes down of myself at 12, but the majority of memories are mostly lost to time and the key ones get dredged up only if something else happens to spark it.
The household she grew up in was enviable; warm and kind yet pragmatic and honest. Her parents seemed well aware that they were not raising a child any more, but a burgeoning little human being who would someday go on to be a member of society. I loved how they actively celebrated her growing up because in the end that should be the goal of parenting: to create a well rounded, competent, considerate person who is secure in their own skin. Margaret made her mistakes, sure. At the end of the day, however, they were largely achieving that goal.
The religious conflict of Judaism vs Christianity as Margaret’s one true religion was an interesting addition to her upheaval. It was something more specific to her and was a nice, unique inclusion to her character. While many of her growing pains were common, this was one that cemented the book as a cohesive narrative rather than a bunch of everyday occurrences strung together.
All of the girl talk did not apply to me as I’m sure it did not apply to many others. Yet, the underlying theme of figuring ‘things’ out is universal. I had questions. Friends had answers. Friends had questions. I had answers. We muddied on as best as we could. I was quite nostalgic thinking of all the rampant misinformation that ran wild when I was her age. At the very least, Margaret and her friends were better informed than my friend groups were. I don’t think I discussed periods publicly with another girl until I was midway through high school.
All in all, a book that is a great starting point for a great many discussions. A book that gives you a peek into the dizzy, mixed up world of being a tween girl. A book that I absolutely can see why people challenge: it gives young women much too much agency over their understanding of a trying time in their life and the language necessary to combat ignorant propaganda. A book that I loved as a kid, and respect all the more at 26. I highly recommend it: it’s a classic for a reason.
I’m surprised by how much I remembered. I naturally assumed that there was much I didn’t because I didn’t have many memories, but in actuality the book is just short. It’s a year in the life of Margaret - a girl trying to make her way the best she can. Not a lot happens because barring extreme circumstances (of which there are a plenty nowadays in contemporary middle grade) most of your life will be long stretches of technically ‘nothing’.
It also served to highlight how inconsequential so many of the things you think are so important are in the grand scheme of your life. Margaret made a big deal out of things because they really are a big deal at that age. This is her first time being almost 12. She has no life experience or frame of reference to draw from to keep perspective. That comes with time. As an adult it was a funny feeling to read about incidents she deemed the end all be all of her life, when I know for a fact she’ll be lucky to recall a quarter of what she felt 10 years on from that point. I’ve got the broad strokes down of myself at 12, but the majority of memories are mostly lost to time and the key ones get dredged up only if something else happens to spark it.
The household she grew up in was enviable; warm and kind yet pragmatic and honest. Her parents seemed well aware that they were not raising a child any more, but a burgeoning little human being who would someday go on to be a member of society. I loved how they actively celebrated her growing up because in the end that should be the goal of parenting: to create a well rounded, competent, considerate person who is secure in their own skin. Margaret made her mistakes, sure. At the end of the day, however, they were largely achieving that goal.
The religious conflict of Judaism vs Christianity as Margaret’s one true religion was an interesting addition to her upheaval. It was something more specific to her and was a nice, unique inclusion to her character. While many of her growing pains were common, this was one that cemented the book as a cohesive narrative rather than a bunch of everyday occurrences strung together.
All of the girl talk did not apply to me as I’m sure it did not apply to many others. Yet, the underlying theme of figuring ‘things’ out is universal. I had questions. Friends had answers. Friends had questions. I had answers. We muddied on as best as we could. I was quite nostalgic thinking of all the rampant misinformation that ran wild when I was her age. At the very least, Margaret and her friends were better informed than my friend groups were. I don’t think I discussed periods publicly with another girl until I was midway through high school.
All in all, a book that is a great starting point for a great many discussions. A book that gives you a peek into the dizzy, mixed up world of being a tween girl. A book that I absolutely can see why people challenge: it gives young women much too much agency over their understanding of a trying time in their life and the language necessary to combat ignorant propaganda. A book that I loved as a kid, and respect all the more at 26. I highly recommend it: it’s a classic for a reason.
gailmckelvie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.0
alexseekingspecfic's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0