Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Rating:
Summary: So unrealistic, it's hilarious.
Review: I can't relate to anything these girls were going through. I was busty at grade 6 and it was annoying as hell, so it's not all that great. I also got my period at grade six, I didn't tell my mom to "come see, come see" and all that crap. At grade six we had fights, we gossipped and spread rumours, slapped our enemies, played chinese jump rope, walked around and did nothing, played on the playstructure, hung upside down on bars... we didn't do any of the stuff that JB focusses on - we were never that open about our period or our boobs. We didn't form clubs that gave us sheets to rate a guy, or tips on how to increase your bust size and get a bigger bra. There weren't even clubs, period. Not only that, but who get's that hung up in a rumour? Margaret needs to smarten up, and at grade six that's gotta be old enough to realize that you can't completely believe what someone - even a good friend - tells you. I hated her emotional problems, her personality, everything about her and it was hell ploughing through the book knowing that there would be one more page about dear old Margaret. Grade six is nothing like what JB says it is - everybody's fun and easy going and all the girls just wanna have fun. And at fourteen, it's still like that - the flat people don't care that much, none of us obsess about boys, or being popular, or blah blah blah. The religious part was meaningless in my opinion, and I thought it was crazy how she was walking from one religion to another - if you're going to pick a religion, you need to some actual research, not listen to what your friend's say about it. This book is best read by someone who's bypassed Margaret's grade, age, and problems so that way you won't be fed with trash and can realize how ridiculous this book is.

Rating:
Summary: Growing Up
Review: "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" is a good book to read if you are interested in learning a little bit more about growing up. Though not packed with information, it blends the changes that girls go through with an interesting story about a pre-teen girl. Margaret desires to be grown up, and I think at some times she goes to minor extremes to do so. The part where she tries to fit in with a certain religion was a bit of a let down, as well. At least the message was good, though:

You don't have to be a certain religion to pray and love God.

This wasn't the best book I've ever read, but it was good. Some parts may be a little bit inappropriate, and the whole "growing up" thing is definately not appropriate for younger girls to read. But for older girls who enjoy teen stories and want to read a book that doesn't purposely exclude the truth about some of the facts of growing up, then I recommend this dramatic, sometimes-over-the-top, entertaining story. It includes a variety of characters, and will keep you reading for quite a while.

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book.
Review: I discovered this book when I was twelve years old and in the sixth grade, just like the character of Margaret. It was like I had a friend in her as I was reading about her experiences with family, friends, boys, and school. It helped me navigate the sometimes confusing waters of adolescence. I can't believe it's already 35 years old! When I read it, back in 1996, I could definitely relate to it, so it never seemed dated to me. It addresses the always important issues of growing up, fitting in, acceptance of oneself, image, and relationships for all girls. Some people feel the need to point out that the issue of religion may seem out of place in a novel like this. I've always seen it as a girl wanting to explore her place in the world around her. Many young people have the same concerns, so I believe that the religious questions only make Margaret a deeper person. Others tend to criticize the girls' obsession with their bodies and puberty. Excuse me, but puberty is a big part of a twelve-year-old's life! Just talk to any adolescent and teenager. I would recommend this book to any girl growing up today, and even a boy. I've had my copy for eight years, and I intend to keep it for many years to come because even as a college sophomore, it's still one of my all-time favorite books!

Rating:
Summary: Noelle's Review
Review: Margaret Simon has a big change in her life when her parents decide to leave New York and move to New Jersey. Eleven year old Margaret fears moving to New Jersey because she has to meet a whole new group of friends, move to a new environment, and go to a different school. Surprisingly, when she moves to New Jersey a girl her age awaits her at her house. Later she finds out she is in the same sixth grade class as her friend Nancy. Nancy and her two friends ask Margaret to join their secret club. Gretchen Potter, Janie Loomis, Margaret Simon, and Nancy Wheeler decide to have certain rules for their club. Margaret is no religion so she decides to investigate different religions and pick one that fits her. In all this stuggle, Margaret is mad that she is not growing and she thinks she will be the last one to get her period. She talks to God about things she can't talk about to anyone else. This story talks about her struggles withher friends, boys, about growing up, and deciding who she really is.

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: "We must, we must increase our bust," is one of the most famous girl quotes around. It came from this book. A book about growing up, puberty, and faith, it's one of the books my mother has given me to read at age 13, and now being read by my little sister. If I have a daughter, I'll probably pass this along to her, too.

Rating:
Summary: A Book About Anybody
Review: I am now 33 years old. I grew up in a family that didn't talk about "these" things. I was a worried, curious, young girl. This book made me feel like I was no different than any other girl, at this stage of life. I now have two daughters (4 and 5) when they are older, I am definately buying all Judy Blume's books for them. The Pre-teen years are so difficult, without all these changes going on... Judy Blume has such an amazing way of communicating to pre-teen girls about all the questions many of them are afraid to ask their parents. And she does it in a very honest way. I am buying this book for our neighbors 12 year old girl, who I'm sure has many questions that she is afraid to ask. FIVE STARS *****

Rating:
Summary: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.
Review: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret is about a young girl whose family moves to a new city. She has to adjust to her new life in this strange city at the same time she is entering adolescence. She just wants to be normal and fit in with everyone else. She needs someone to talk to about her problems, so she talks with God about them. This excellent book by Judy Blume perfectly depicts some of the most difficult years of life that people do not want to remember. Blume has taken the extra step and created a character whom young people can relate. The many problems of young adulthood are evident in this book and Blume's solutions to the problems are brilliant. Just about everyone can relate to this book whether they enjoy reading it or not. This is an exceptional book that helps children deal with the problems they face at those most memorable years of life.