Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

by Judy Blume

You never know what you might read about next with the RA Favorite Books.  I don’t have a daughter, my sisters were ten and twelve years older than me, so reading this book, about religion and young girls having their periods, was, let’s say…a learning experience.  Enter the world of Judy Blume (yes, NYU alumna) and the coming-of-age book, Are you there God? It’s Me, Margaret.  Margaret, an eleven-year-old girl from NYC, relocates with her parents to their new home in suburbia New Jersey.  Her parents were raised different religions (Jewish and Christian), and because of the difficulties they experienced, they decide not to force religion on Margaret and allow her to choose her own belief structure later in life.  Simultaneously, Margaret is introduced to sixth grade in NJ, meeting new friends and being asked to do a yearlong project, which leads her to consider what religion she should practice.  All the while, Margaret and her three girlfriends create a secret club that focuses on boys, bras, and trying to guess when they will get their period.  Well, what can I say…this probably was an impactful book for the RA and many other young girls.  Might even be an eye opener for young boys, if they are mature and want to learn about the life changes that members of the opposite sex experience, though I surely wouldn’t have been at that age.  But I opened this blog never knowing what I’d read next!  Hard to rate this one as my perspective and life really didn’t intersect much with this topic.  Reads light and quick, good message for those who would benefit….