It is a specific kind of magic. Most books written in 1970 feel like time capsules, dusty and slightly out of touch with how we actually breathe and speak today. But Judy Blume’s Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is different. It’s sticky. It stays with you. Whether you read it in a suburban bedroom in the 70s or caught the 2023 film adaptation starring Abby Ryder Fortson and Rachel McAdams, the story of Margaret Simon feels less like a period piece and more like a mirror.
Margaret is eleven, going on twelve. She’s moving from New York City to New Jersey, which, to a pre-teen, might as well be the moon. She’s anxious about her body. She’s anxious about her friends. Most importantly, she’s anxious about her lack of a religious identity. Her parents—one Christian, one Jewish—raised her with nothing so she could choose for herself later. But Margaret wants to choose now. She talks to God in the private, whispered way someone might talk to a diary, asking for help with everything from her period to the way her chest looks in a training bra.
Honestly, it’s the lack of filters that makes it work.
Why Margaret Simon is the Relatable Icon We Didn't Deserve
Most "coming of age" stories for girls back then were sanitized. They were polite. Blume didn't care about being polite. She cared about the truth of being twelve. Margaret and her friends, Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie, form a secret club. They have rules. They wear bras. They keep a "boy book." They chant "We must, we must, we must increase our bust!" It’s cringey because it’s real.
The brilliance of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret lies in its dual-track tension. On one hand, you have the physical obsession—the desperate wait for the "red badge of courage" that signals womanhood. On the other, you have a deep, spiritual yearning. Margaret isn't just looking for her period; she’s looking for a place to belong.
Her internal monologues with God are fascinating. They aren't formal prayers. They are negotiations. Please let me be like everybody else, she asks. It’s a universal plea. We all want to be normal until we realize that "normal" is just a collective performance everyone is failing at behind closed doors.
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The Controversy That Only Made It Stronger
You can't talk about this book without talking about the bans. For decades, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret was a staple on the American Library Association’s list of challenged books. Why? Because it talked about menstruation. Because it mentioned feminine hygiene products. Because it dared to suggest a child could have a direct, questioning relationship with God outside of an organized church or synagogue.
Censors called it "profane" or "immoral." But for millions of readers, it was the first time they felt seen. It provided a roadmap for a puberty that adults were often too embarrassed to discuss. Blume’s refusal to back down from these "taboo" topics is exactly why the book has survived for over fifty years.
The 2023 Movie: Does It Hold Up?
Adapting a "perfect" book is a gamble. Kelly Fremon Craig, who directed The Edge of Seventeen, took the reins for the 2023 film, and she did something smart: she kept the 1970s setting. By not trying to modernize it with TikTok or iPhones, the film actually feels more timeless.
Rachel McAdams plays Barbara Simon, Margaret’s mother. In the book, Barbara is a bit more of a background figure, but the movie fleshes her out. We see her own struggle with her parents—who disowned her for marrying a Jewish man—and her attempt to be the "perfect" suburban PTA mom. It adds a layer of intergenerational trauma that makes Margaret’s own search for identity feel more weighted.
Kathy Bates as Grandma Sylvia is a scene-stealer. She represents the pull of tradition and the NYC life Margaret left behind. The chemistry between the cast makes the Simon family feel lived-in. It’s a rare adaptation that honors the source material while adding its own soulful depth.
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Faith, Doubt, and the Jersey Suburbs
Margaret’s "research project" into religion is the backbone of the narrative. She goes to temple with her grandmother. She goes to church with her friends. She even tries confession. But she doesn't find the "lightning bolt" moment she expects.
This is where Blume’s writing gets really sophisticated. She allows Margaret to be angry at God. When Margaret’s grandparents finally clash over her soul in a heated living room scene, Margaret realizes that religion is often more about the adults' egos than the child’s spirit. She stops talking to God for a while.
That silence is important.
It represents the moment a child realizes that the world is messy and that there are no easy answers provided by a Sunday school curriculum. The fact that the story ends not with a grand conversion, but with a simple physical milestone, is a masterstroke of realism.
Cultural Impact and the "Blume" Effect
Judy Blume didn't just write a book; she started a conversation that hasn't stopped. Authors like Jacqueline Woodson and Meg Cabot have cited her as a primary influence. She gave writers permission to write for kids as if they were real people with real hormones and real doubts.
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Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret broke the mold by being unapologetically female. It centered the female experience without making it a tragedy or a cautionary tale. It was just life. The book's longevity proves that while technology changes, the "icky" feeling of being twelve is a constant in the human condition.
Navigating the Themes Today
If you're revisiting the story or introducing it to a younger reader, there are a few things to keep in mind. The social dynamics of the "secret club" can be harsh. Nancy Wheeler, the leader of the group, is often manipulative and dishonest. It’s a great jumping-off point for talking about toxic friendships and the pressure to conform.
Also, the religious conflict is handled with a lot of nuance. It doesn't tell you which side is "right." It suggests that faith is a personal journey, not a box you check to make your parents happy. In a world that is increasingly polarized, that's a pretty radical message for a middle-grade novel.
Actionable Takeaways for Readers and Parents
If you are looking to engage with this classic story, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Read the book before watching the movie. The film is great, but Blume’s original prose has a rhythm that captures Margaret's internal anxiety in a way that visual media can't quite replicate.
- Use it as a conversation starter. For parents of pre-teens, this remains the gold standard for opening up discussions about body changes and social pressure. It takes the "shame" out of the equation.
- Look for the 50th Anniversary editions. These often include forewords by other famous authors that provide context on why the book was so revolutionary in 1970.
- Compare the eras. Talk about what has changed since the 70s regarding religious tolerance and what has stayed exactly the same (the desire to fit in).
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret isn't just a book about getting a period. It's a book about the terrifying, exhilarating moment you realize you are an individual separate from your parents. It’s about the start of the lifelong search for who you are and what you believe. That’s why we’re still talking about it. That’s why we’re still reading it. And that’s why, every time a kid whispers a prayer or a question into the dark, Margaret Simon is right there with them.
To truly appreciate the legacy, track down Judy Blume’s interviews regarding the censorship of her work; they offer a masterclass in defending intellectual freedom and the importance of honest storytelling for young people.