Product Description

For Margaret, everything is different this year.  She's just moved from New York City to the suburbs and is anxious to fit in with her new friends--Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie.  When they form a secret club to talk about private subjects like boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret is happy to belong.  But in Farbrook, everybody joins the Y or the Jewish Community Center.  Margaret doesn't have a religion, so what's she supposed to do?  Suddenly life is very confusing.  Maybe it's all part of growing up, but Margaret could really use some answers.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41990 in Books
• Published on: 1991-10-01
• Released on: 1991-10-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 160 pages

Amazon.com Review
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 ...

From Publishers Weekly
Judy Blume's body of work returns to her original editor, Richard Jackson, with the rerelease of four classics in hardcover. An African-American family moves to all-white Grove Street in Iggie's House, to be released in April. The author's breakthrough title, Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, about 11-year old Margaret Simon's struggles with puberty and religion, is now available in hardcover as well as in a Spanish-language edition, Estas ahi Dios? Soy yo, Margaret. Two additional titles came out last season: Blubber takes on preteen teasing; and It's Not the End of the World explores the effects of divorce.
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From AudioFile
As Margaret adjusts to her family's move from New York City to a suburb in New Jersey, she chats with God about her insecurities and dreams. Laura Hamilton gives Margaret, the narrator of Judy Blume's popular novel, a convincing sixth-grader's voice--one that is perky and enthusiastic at one time and questioning and uncertain at another time. Upbeat and entertaining, this production is a perfect match of author and narrator. If listeners aren't already Judy Blume fans, they will be after enjoying this audiobook. C.R.A. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Customer Reviews

Ch-ch-ch-changes
Twelve year old Margaret Simon finds her happy life crumbling around her when she returns from summer camp. Her parents have bought a house in New Jersey of all places for the main purpose (they won't admit but Margaret just KNOWS this is true) of keeping her away from her beloved Grandmother. All too soon Margaret is ripped away from her happy New York life and thrust into New Jersey suburbia. Happily she quickly finds friends to guide her the many perils and torments of 6th grade. In addition to the usual traumas of being a pre-teen - boys, bras and first periods - Margaret finds herself trapped in a no-man's land as far as religion goes. Her Jewish father and Christian mother had defied convention fourteen years earlier when they eloped. They had decided to reject all religious ties and let Margart decide for herself when she was old enough. Margaret is beginning to think that perhaps that time has come, but doesn't really know how to decide.

As always Judy Blume has managed to reach this difficult pre-teen age. Her characters are very realisticly portrayed and face the same problems that confront young people everyday. And as in real life, there are no obvious easy answers here to these problems. The characters and readers are taken through a series of events that give them much to think about and then left to draw their own conclusions.

The reading level of this book is listed as 4th to 5th grade, with a corresponding interest level. I would recommend it girls in 5th grade and up, possibly some more mature 4th graders and possibly to boys who are a bit older. Older readers will also find it appealing and an enjoyable short read that will remind them of those difficult, awkward years.

Wonderful book!!
Read this to your child!!!! I remember reading it when I was younger, and have always remembered it. Awesome book!!!!

Loving/Sensitive/Humorous...Reading For A Young Girl & Boy!! A Classic!!
I read this book the first time in the early eighties. I was in my forties. Why would a forty-something year old lady read..."Are You There God? It's Me Margaret"...The answer being...I taught the performing arts to young ladies and some young gentlemen. I had a favorite student that had been with me for years, that brought the book in to me, as a gift. Why? Because...my name is Margaret!! The student was about 10 and she was so proud she had found a book that she did so enjoy reading, with my name as the main character. I thought...how sweet!! Did I read it? Of course...out of courtesy!! Did I like it? Absolutely...Very Much!! I associated with the novel. I am most sure many younger and older ladies have associated with this novel throughout the years. My parents moved when I was in the 5th grade. But...they moved back to where I had lived before. I thought my world would be wonderful again...just like before. But...like Margaret...surroundings and individuals change so quickly when one is so young, it is most difficult to understand all. In my case...it was if I had never been there. Old friendships had to be re-kindled. New friendships had to be made. Without God to talk with daily...what would I had done? He was my best friend. Just like Margaret I had a loving grandmother, that my brother and I spent each summer with. We had many conversations on the do's and don't of life. It was most difficult to understand what was expected of me and what I expected of others. Just like Margaret...I do not know how I would have managed without my conversations with God. Judy Blume, had to have associated her own young life, when writing this masterful novel. I never thought about the religious aspect of the book...as it was presented in such a well-received manner. I read this book to my son...(I never had a daughter)...when he was about 10 years of age. You know...when every young person...girl or boy, does start to ask all those necessary questions of life. This adorable little book answered many of those questions. He loved the book. Why have I read it again today...at this late time in my life? Well...here is the answer. I have finally...after many years....written my first book for the young reader. Judy Blume has presented all her books in such an outstanding way....I wanted to try to achieve some of the masterfulness she does display, when reaching her intended audience. Yes...Are You There God? It's Me Margaret...Will always hold a little part of my heart...as the young lady that gave it to me many years past...is still a dearing friend today. I went on to teach her daugther ballet, tap, and baton...just as I had her Mom. When Nikki (the young daughters name) was 10 years old, I gave her the copy that her Mom had given me many years ago. Recently...I ordered a new copy from Amazon...so I could re-fresh my mind with the beauty of Margaret's sweet escapades in..."Are You There God? It's Me Margaret. This is a classic. I recommend it for the young reader...both girl and boy. Peggy Inez, Author [[ ISBN 978-159858-400-4