Honestly, it’s rare for a book written in 1970 to feel like it was whispered into a teenager's ear yesterday. But that is the weird, enduring magic of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Judy Blume didn't just write a "coming-of-age" story; she essentially invented the modern template for how we talk about the messy, awkward, and deeply private transition into womanhood.
She went there.
She talked about the stuff mothers and daughters in the seventies were barely whispering about in the privacy of their own homes. Buying a first bra. The agonizing wait for a first period. The confusing, sometimes terrifying social hierarchy of sixth grade. And, of course, the big one—the quiet, desperate search for a higher power when you don't feel like you fit into the boxes your parents built for you.
Whether you first read it in a dusty school library or saw the 2023 film adaptation starring Abby Ryder Fortson and Rachel McAdams, the core of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret remains remarkably unchanged. It is a story about the universal anxiety of wanting to grow up faster than your body is willing to go.
The Relentless Honesty of Margaret Simon
Margaret Simon is eleven, going on twelve, and she’s just been uprooted from New York City to the suburbs of New Jersey. That’s a trauma in itself when you're that age. But Margaret’s real struggle is internal. Her father is Jewish, her mother is Christian, and they’ve decided to raise her with no religion at all so she can choose for herself later.
It sounds progressive. In reality? It leaves her feeling adrift.
She starts talking to God. Not the "God of the Bible" necessarily, but a private version she can confess her secrets to. She talks to Him about her friends, her crush on Philip Leroy, and her desperate need to "fill out" her bra. This isn't some high-concept theological debate. It’s a kid trying to find an anchor.
Why the "Secret Club" Still Feels Real
The PTS (Pre-Teen Sensations) club in the book is one of the most accurate depictions of middle-school girlhood ever put to paper. It’s exclusionary. It’s competitive. It’s kind of mean. Nancy Wheeler, the self-appointed leader, is the type of girl every woman remembers from her childhood—the one who claims she’s hit every milestone first just to maintain dominance.
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The "We must, we must, we must increase our bust" exercise is iconic. It’s also deeply funny and heartbreakingly relatable. Blume captures that specific brand of desperation where you think a physical exercise or a specific piece of clothing will magically transform you into the adult you’re supposed to be.
The Controversy That Never Really Died
You’d think a book about a girl getting her period wouldn't be a threat to society. You’d be wrong. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret has been one of the most frequently challenged books in American history. It was banned in various school districts throughout the 70s, 80s, and even into the 90s.
Why? Because it mentions menstruation. Because it mentions bras. Because Margaret has the audacity to question her parents' religious choices.
Censors often targeted the book for being "profane" or "sexually explicit," which is hilarious if you’ve actually read it. There is nothing explicit about it. It is just honest. Judy Blume has spent decades defending Margaret, arguing that silence creates shame and that kids deserve to see their own lives reflected in literature.
Even today, in the 2020s, we see a resurgence of book banning in school libraries. Margaret Simon is still on the front lines. The irony is that the more people try to hide the book, the more kids want to read it. It’s the ultimate "forbidden fruit" that turns out to be a comforting security blanket.
The Long Road to the Big Screen
For fifty years, Judy Blume said "no" to every Hollywood producer who came knocking. She was terrified they would turn it into a glossy, shallow teen comedy or, worse, a "period piece" (pun intended) that lost the emotional core.
It wasn't until Kelly Fremon Craig—the director behind The Edge of Seventeen—approached her that Blume finally relented. The 2023 film was a rare win for fans. It kept the 1970s setting, which was a brilliant move. By keeping it in the past, the movie actually highlighted how little has changed about being a twelve-year-old girl.
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Why the 2023 Movie Worked
- Rachel McAdams as Barbara Simon: She brought a layer of nuance to the mother character that wasn't as prominent in the book. You see her struggling with her own identity and her guilt over the rift with her parents.
- The Aesthetic: The film didn't look like a parody of the 70s. It felt lived-in.
- The Religion Plotline: The movie leaned into the pain of the religious conflict, especially the scene where the grandparents argue over Margaret’s soul. It’s a heavy moment that anchors the more lighthearted "growing up" beats.
Growing Up is a Religious Experience
There is a specific kind of loneliness that comes with being twelve. You aren't a child anymore, but you're definitely not an adult. Margaret’s conversations with God are her way of navigating that void.
She asks for signs. She asks for help. She asks for things to happen on her timeline.
When things don't go her way—when her friends lie to her, or when her period doesn't come exactly when she wants it—she gets angry at God. This is such a human reaction. Blume captures the transition from "childhood faith" (where you think you can bargain with the universe) to "adult reality" (where things just happen, and you have to cope).
The ending of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret isn't a neat bow. Margaret gets her period, yes. But she hasn't "solved" God. She hasn't chosen a religion. She’s just moved into the next phase of her life.
Actionable Insights for Parents and Readers
If you're revisiting this book or introducing it to a new generation, there are a few ways to make the most of Margaret's journey. It’s more than just a nostalgic read; it’s a tool for communication.
Start the conversation early.
Don’t wait for the "big talk." Use the book as a low-pressure way to discuss body changes. It’s easier to talk about what’s happening to Margaret than what’s happening to yourself.
Focus on the "Why" of the religious search.
Margaret’s quest isn't just about church or temple. It’s about belonging. Ask your kids or students what makes them feel like they belong to a community.
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Compare the eras.
If you watch the movie or read the book with a younger person, talk about what’s different now. We have period tracking apps and social media, but the feeling of waiting for your life to start is identical.
Normalize the "Awkward."
The best takeaway from Judy Blume is that being weird and confused is the standard setting for puberty. If you feel like a freak, you’re probably doing it right.
Read the rest of the Blume canon.
If Margaret hits home, Deenie (about scoliosis and body image) or Then Again, Maybe I Won't (the male equivalent of Margaret's journey) are essential follows.
Margaret Simon taught us that it's okay to ask big questions of a silent audience. She taught us that our bodies are our own, even when they feel like they’re betraying us. Most importantly, she taught us that we aren't alone in the middle of the night when we're staring at the ceiling and wondering when everything is finally going to make sense.
Keep the book on the shelf. Gift it to your nieces. Read it when you're forty and feeling lost. Margaret is still there, and she's still listening.
Next Steps for Your Reading Journey
- Locate an original copy: If you can find a vintage paperback with the original 70s cover art, grab it. The tactile experience of the older editions adds to the nostalgia.
- Watch the 2023 Film: Even if you're a book purist, the adaptation is a masterclass in how to handle sensitive source material. It's available on most streaming platforms.
- Explore the "Banned Books" List: Research why this book and others like it are still being challenged today. Organizations like the ALA (American Library Association) provide great resources on how to fight for the freedom to read.