Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
First off, I was really, really, really excited to read Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume because it’s one of those books that I remember reading as a preteen. Not just reading it but loving it! I also remember thinking, “What would my mother think of me if she knew what this book was about? Am I allowed to read this book? I can’t believe I’m reading this book!”
After reading this description on Goodreads, I knew I couldn’t even begin to describe this book as well as they did:
If anyone tried to determine the most common rite of passage for preteen girls in North America, a girl’s first reading of Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret would rank near the top of the list. Judy Blume and her character Margaret Simon were the first to say out loud (and in a book even) that it is normal for girls to wonder when they are ever going to fill out their training bras. Puberty is a curious and annoying time. Girls’ bodies begin to do freakish things–or, as in Margaret’s case, they don’t do freakish things nearly as fast as girls wish they would.
Adolescents are often so relieved to discover that someone understands their body-angst that they miss one of the book’s deeper explorations: a young person’s relationship with God. Margaret has a very private relationship with God, and it’s only after she moves to New Jersey and hangs out with a new friend that she discovers that it might be weird to talk to God without a priest or a rabbi to mediate. Margaret just wants to fit in! Who is God, and where is He when she needs Him? She begins to look into the cups of her training bra for answers …
Reading this book was so much fun because it took me back to the little girl that I once was who asked the exact same things about her body. But what makes me smile is that as I’m now approaching 30, I wish I could go back to that little girl and tell her not to worry. First off, who seriously wants to get their period? I loved being pregnant simply for the fact that I had nine glorious months period free and I boo hood because breastfeeding didn’t keep it that way.
I also had to chuckle because I remember so clearly the same feelings I shared with Margaret in wondering if she could fill out her training bra. Let me share something very personal with you. My current bra size. Oh my do I dare? Ha! I (or maybe you) will probably regret this post simply for the reason that I’m being to divulgent. I can’t help it. This book brought it all out. And I apologize to my father-in-law because I know they read my blog. My bra size: I’m a 32 nearly A. Yes, a nearly A! Now, it hasn’t always been that way. I used to be a B cup and had a decent chest when I was breastfeeding. But for some reason, after my last child, I’m now smaller than when I started. I couldn’t believe it. Does it bother me? Not really but I wouldn’t mind if I could get back to that B cup either. Neither would my husband. I have to laugh because I’m smaller than many preteens out there. Thank goodness my self-esteem isn’t associated with my bra size, but oh, how I remember clearly the time when it was.
And I finally figured out where the whole I must- I must- I must increase my bust came from! I can’t tell you how excited I was to realize that this came from this book! And um, yes, I remember doing this. *shaking my head in embarrassment* And if you don’t know what I’m talking about then you need to read this one to find out!
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret reminded me of why I worried so much as a preteen. Come to think of it, this book was so much a part of my childhood that I probably was worried because Margaret convinced me I should be worried. I loved this book simply for the reason that it tells girls that they aren’t alone in their fears. And then I wish I could tell them, don’t rush. Getting your period isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be! You’ll soon wish you never go it in the first place.
I read Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret during Banned Books Week, apparently people have problems with coming of age novels. When I was younger the only “talk” I got about my “changing” body was a stack of books and the assumption that I could figure it out. So for me, I was certainly glad to have Margaret.
Sidenote: My husband read my draft and told me I should sit on this for a day before I decide to really publish it. Publishing it anyways.
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Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Middle Readers
Tags: A-D Author, banned, banned books week, coming of age
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I can’t remember if I read this one or not.
PS- Big boobs are overrated. Trust me. Gravity is not kind.
on September 28th, 2008 at 7:37 amWell, I’m glad you posted it. You brought back VERY good memories for me.
(btw, I have friends who were also smaller after having kids. A few had implants — nothing huge, just big enough to make them feel better about themselves. A few didn’t and tell great stories about how they have come to terms with being so small. It’s all about how YOU feel, my friend.)
on September 28th, 2008 at 8:17 amThe most significant thing I remember from this book was the “We must,we must,we must increase our busts!” HAHA!. I loved this book as a kid. I wore a 36B when I was 10 so I couldn’t relate to wanting to fill out my training bra and I had my stupid period when i was 9 …but I still loved it!
on September 28th, 2008 at 8:41 amGreat book…thanks for reminding me…I’m going to have my daughter read it as I think she would enjoy it…although small boobs are not her problem…she’s the other extreme…lol.
on September 28th, 2008 at 9:06 amI definitely remember reading this book! It was one of my favorites, and I remember getting together with all of my girlfriends and practicing the chest exercises.
on September 28th, 2008 at 9:59 amThis wasn’t my favorite Judy Blume book, but oh man do I remember reading it… *raises hand as another former member of the chest-exercising club.*
on September 28th, 2008 at 10:59 amEven as a boy, I remember enjoying this book. Thanks for bringing back the memories.
Like you, I’m highlighting Banned Books Week this week, and have included a link to your blog in my Sunday Salon post, which can be found here:
on September 28th, 2008 at 11:15 amhttp://tinyurl.com/4lc85n
I think that this post is great. This book and your post brings back so many great memories for me too. I loved this book back when I read it. Like you, growing up for me consisted of a pile of books on what was going to happen and why. I remember reading this book and being fascinated-wow, someone who felt the same as me. Thanks for posting this one Natasha.
on September 28th, 2008 at 11:33 amYep, I did the “exercises” too! I am currently nursing my second child, I wish I could keep what I’ve got while nursing!
on September 28th, 2008 at 3:08 pmNatasha you are not alone. Mine shrunk a cup size after each child. However, i was kind of glad. I started out a 34DD went to a 36G whilst nursing both and nearly cried at the sight of myself. I actually had to special order bras.
Then after my first child was born and I was done nursing I went down to a 34D. Then after I was through nursing my second child I can now wear either a 34C or a 32D. Much more managable!
I too remember reading this book and all those awkward feelings of adolesence. In 6th grade I was 5′5″ and wore a B cup. I was that freakshow with the boobs
Not to mention I was a foot taller than ALL of the boys.
And I agree with Chris….big boobs are overrated.
on September 28th, 2008 at 5:48 pmhey..please stop by my blog.. i have a little something for you there!:)
on September 28th, 2008 at 6:25 pmI’m gonna have to reread this book
. Thanks for a good chuckle!
on September 28th, 2008 at 8:43 pmLOL I love your post! Thanks for bringing back those memories. I think many of us had the same experience from her books. Tell your hubby no worries:)
on September 28th, 2008 at 8:49 pmChris – Well, I wouldn’t want to go to the other extreme either! Somewhere in the middle would be nice.
Susan – I had no idea you could shrink so much after breastfeeding! The things we do for our children.
Jupiter – I can picture myself perfectly in my basement bedroom doing those exercises. Part of me knew it was fake but a part of me really hoped it was true.
Yasmin – I can’t imagine any girl not reading this book!
Alyce – I was to embarrassed to do it with my friends!
Nikki – So glad to find out that I wasn’t alone. Now I feel better that one of my secrets is out there!
Unfinished person – Thanks for the link. I didn’t realize that many boys would read this one, but then again my husband read the entire Twilight series.
Darlene – Thanks! I don’t think my mom told me a single thing. Just ask if you have any questions. I don’t even remember how I got any of my sanitary supplies.
Lisa – My husband loved it when I was nursing. So sad, it’s all gone and then some!
Jenn M. – Shoot! If I keep shrinking a cup size I won’t have anything left after the next kid! So funny that we are all getting to “know” each other better. Love it!
Ramya – Ah, thanks! You are too kind!
Monica – It was fun to reread this one as an adult and remember what it felt like to read it the first time. Can’t wait for book club on Tuesday!
Tracy – This one is full of memories. A very nostalgic read.
on September 29th, 2008 at 1:45 amThis post made me laugh. I don’t remember everything about this book, but I do remember the chest exercises. I don’t recall ever trying them out though.
on September 29th, 2008 at 11:06 amI read this as a young girl and remember thinking that it was a “risque” type of book. LOL
on September 29th, 2008 at 3:33 pmI DEFS tried to ‘increase my bust,’ as it were. And don’t worry, eensy boobers make you look thinner. (My sister has a shirt that says ‘itty bitty titty club’ on it, and while I don’t approve either of the ‘t’ word or of referencing your girls on your t-shirt, it makes me laugh every time.)
on September 29th, 2008 at 7:38 pmI need to reread this. I remember liking it so much as a kid.
on September 29th, 2008 at 10:11 pm[...] find great posts about it at the following sites: The Story Siren bookshelves of doom Guys Lit Wire Maw Books Blog – There are a bunch of reviews for banned/challenged books over here lately. I picked this [...]
on September 30th, 2008 at 10:56 amYeah-My boobs will never be the same after nursing two babies. Oh well. My friend use to tell me I had mosquito bites. Ha! What would she think now?
on September 30th, 2008 at 11:35 amJudy Blume. Really, I think it is a good thing my mom did not take time to monitor what I read as a young girl. She would not have been too pleased. I remember reading Forever but I don’t think I really got what I was reading.I was flipping through it a number of years after I read it and could not believe I had read that when I was so young.
Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret was a good one though. I remember the whole anxiety about when I was going to start my period etc. And then I was scared when I did. Oh, the memories.
haven’t read it but it sure would have been helpful way back when! lol ;]
on September 30th, 2008 at 1:52 pmWhen in-laws read your blog, you always it in the back of your mind, every slightly profane word, every example of bad mothering you wonder what they think … ha ha. Who cares.
BTW, do you have any “how are babies made” book recommendations?
on October 1st, 2008 at 10:29 amI am 10 years old and my mom wants me to read this book aint it about puberty or something do you know were i can read it on the enternet
-sabrina
on October 1st, 2008 at 7:24 pmAnyone else want to divulge bra size?
If it helps give you some hope, my sister-in-law grew a cup size and stopped nursing and they won’t go away. Maybe if you have another baby they will go the opposite way?!
on October 2nd, 2008 at 9:12 pmamy btw M – If the chest exercises seriously worked, I’d be doing them now!
Joy – I thought so too. That’s why I didn’t want my mom finding out that I was reading it.
Raych – Love your comment! I don’t think I would wear that t-shirt but it’s funny.
Traci – You should, it was a lot of fun to reread.
Jeanette – Mosquito bites! Love it. What gets me is that my mom and two sisters are well endowed. I got the short end of the stick.
Ginger – Try it!
Mrs. B. Roth – I know how you feel! My parents don’t read my blog but my in-laws do and always tell me that they enjoy it. But yeah, it’s there in the back of my mind. They are probably learning tons of stuff about me that they didn’t know! Let me think on the book recommendations and get back to you.
Sabrina – It is about puberty. I don’t think you can read it online but have you checked your local or school library?
Jenn M. – You and I are the brave ones for divulging bra sizes! Ha, ha! I’m loving getting to know everybody and their chests! I wish it would go the opposite way. I’ve got such pretty bras too that I’m not wearing anymore!
on October 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 pmI remember loving this book when I grew up, partially because my name is Margaret and ergo….the book was about me!
And the whole increasing bust thing worked too well for me too!
on October 4th, 2008 at 12:45 am[...] @ Maw Books Blog reviews Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume and if you think my wrap up posts are insane, check out her review from September [...]
on October 4th, 2008 at 11:18 am[...] @ Maw Books Blog reviews Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume and if you think my wrap up posts are insane, check out her review from September [...]
on October 4th, 2008 at 11:29 am[...] (How to Eat Fried Worms)50. Maw Books (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)51. Maw Books (Go Ask Alice)52. Maw Books (Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret)53. Maw Books (Of Mice and Men)54. Bonnie (The Call of the Wild)55. Bonnie (Walden)56. Alessandra [...]
on October 10th, 2008 at 10:00 pmhey my name is nardia and i love tihs book it is the best and i am 13 year old but that is o rigth i love reading this book . my best tecaher give me this book and once i got it i love it. it was for my bday and that was the best give i even had so i think you margaret for make that book it was the best.
on May 19th, 2009 at 8:50 amOMG, I so remember reading this book and also thinking how mature it was and made a huge impact on me as a pre-teen! Kudos
on June 23rd, 2009 at 12:42 pm