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eggfartz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Toxic friendship, Fatphobia, and Body shaming
james1star's review against another edition
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
First read of the year and thankfully it was one I enjoyed. I initially picked this up because I wanted to read this before watching the film but am glad I did so. In it we follow our MC, eleven year old Margaret Simon, who moves to suburb New Jersey ready to start sixth grade in 1970 (I’m guessing). She befriends Nancy, Gretchen and Janie who later become known as the PTS’s (Pre-Teen Sensations) as they discuss things like puberty, getting your first period, bras, ‘growing’ and boys among others. They get on well but are confused as to why Margaret doesn’t have any religious affiliation so sets out to research and decide which she’ll choose. Her solitary musings with god at night are where she feels totally free to be herself and these were great to read. I also loved the grandma and their bond was super cute.
Blume perfectly captures the essence of growing up and coming of age, with a journey of self discovery and finding her true identity. Despite being written twenty four years ago, I feel what our MC goes through stands the test of time, being applicable to girls growing up today. I liked Margaret, she wasn’t like amazing (nor any of the characters) but she was fleshed out and I could totally emphasise with her throughout the book. The religious focus was a bit too much then I’d have preferred but it’s doesn’t really take anything away from the messages and lessons Blume is putting forward to the reader. The main one being the way others try to infiltrate her mind and how Margaret just wants to be herself. It’s written very simply with a clear middle grade audience but there’s still quite a lot to unpack and I read this in basically two sittings.
Overall, a fun quick read that I’d definitely recommend. It wasn’t really applicable to me personally but I still enjoyed this book placing it solidly in the 4 star category. Bring on the movie!
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Fatphobia, and Religious bigotry
qrschulte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A great, quick coming of age novel. Very realistic, and I enjoyed it immensely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexism, Abandonment, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Toxic friendship, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Misogyny and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia, Child abuse, Blood, and Infertility
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
funny
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
I can definitely understand why so many people love this book, Margaret speaks so matter of factly to the readers, just telling life like it is. So many adults would shy away from talking about topics like religion, periods, and just puberty in general with kids that it's refreshing to have a book that doesn't flinch away from these topics. And hence why this is on the list for the 100 most banned books because nothing gets a book banned faster than touching on subjects that adults don't want to talk about with their kids. If you get down to it, that's the reason for the vast majority of book bans.
This is a pretty quick read, and at this point, there are things in here that kids definitely won't relate to. But the overall message is important, and I can see why this book has withstood the test of time. It's not my favorite book I've ever read, but it's a quick read and still considered a children's classic.
This is a pretty quick read, and at this point, there are things in here that kids definitely won't relate to. But the overall message is important, and I can see why this book has withstood the test of time. It's not my favorite book I've ever read, but it's a quick read and still considered a children's classic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Antisemitism
Minor: Body shaming and Misogyny
bitterseason's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism and Bullying
Minor: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Misogyny
chronicallybookish's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Quick Stats
Age Rating: 9+ ish
Over All: 4 stars
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
A childhood classic. The book everyone reads in 5-6th grade. I did not read it. In fact, I’d never read a Judy Blume book before today. I’m not sure how that happened, since the last book my dad ever read was Super Fudge (when he was 10), and it’s a running joke in our family. Somehow, I never picked it up. Nor did I pick up any of her other books.
Until my mom and I were in the car on Friday and started talking about books she read as a child. She was shocked I’d never read it. I said I probably should eventually. And then today, a few days later, I was with my Grandma at the thrift store, and guess what they had for only 25 cents? You guessed it! This book. So obviously I bought it and started reading it immediately.
Okay, okay, the actual review starts here!
I loved Margaret. She was an earnest and realistic character. I personally couldnt relate to her at ton. I never wanted my period. It sounded kind of awful to me. I was like, I’ll wait as long as I can… and yet I was one of the first people I know to get it. But I’ve known enough preteen girls to know she is a great representation of how most girls feel as they start puberty, and characters like her—books like this one—are so important to this day. And I know they were especially so then. Both my mom and grandma were telling me how controversial the book was when it came out/when my mom was in middle school for talking about periods at that time. (My grandma was an elementary/middle school teacher when it released in 1970, and my mom was in late elementary/early middle school in the mid 80s).
I did not like Nancy. She was bossy and kind of a brat and reminded me way too much of some of the girls who made my life hell when I was that age. I wished we could have seen more of Gretchen and Janie, and especially of Laura.
There wasn’t much of a plot outside of trying to figure yourself out, and that made the book feel a bit slow and like it dragged on at times, despite being only 150 pages, but I felt so strongly for Margaret in her struggles with her body and religion, that I didn’t mind too much.
I think 11 year old Kaley would have been bored to tears, if I’m being honest. Not enough animals or swords or dragons and way too much talk about boring old boys. But 19 year old Kaley really appreciates the book, and I think that it’s a great book for girls of that age to read.
Age Rating: 9+ ish
Over All: 4 stars
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
A childhood classic. The book everyone reads in 5-6th grade. I did not read it. In fact, I’d never read a Judy Blume book before today. I’m not sure how that happened, since the last book my dad ever read was Super Fudge (when he was 10), and it’s a running joke in our family. Somehow, I never picked it up. Nor did I pick up any of her other books.
Until my mom and I were in the car on Friday and started talking about books she read as a child. She was shocked I’d never read it. I said I probably should eventually. And then today, a few days later, I was with my Grandma at the thrift store, and guess what they had for only 25 cents? You guessed it! This book. So obviously I bought it and started reading it immediately.
Okay, okay, the actual review starts here!
I loved Margaret. She was an earnest and realistic character. I personally couldnt relate to her at ton. I never wanted my period. It sounded kind of awful to me. I was like, I’ll wait as long as I can… and yet I was one of the first people I know to get it. But I’ve known enough preteen girls to know she is a great representation of how most girls feel as they start puberty, and characters like her—books like this one—are so important to this day. And I know they were especially so then. Both my mom and grandma were telling me how controversial the book was when it came out/when my mom was in middle school for talking about periods at that time. (My grandma was an elementary/middle school teacher when it released in 1970, and my mom was in late elementary/early middle school in the mid 80s).
I did not like Nancy. She was bossy and kind of a brat and reminded me way too much of some of the girls who made my life hell when I was that age. I wished we could have seen more of Gretchen and Janie, and especially of Laura.
There wasn’t much of a plot outside of trying to figure yourself out, and that made the book feel a bit slow and like it dragged on at times, despite being only 150 pages, but I felt so strongly for Margaret in her struggles with her body and religion, that I didn’t mind too much.
I think 11 year old Kaley would have been bored to tears, if I’m being honest. Not enough animals or swords or dragons and way too much talk about boring old boys. But 19 year old Kaley really appreciates the book, and I think that it’s a great book for girls of that age to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, Fatphobia, and Bullying
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