Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret in The Insecure Writer's Support Group Book Club

Jul 14, 2019 Toi Thomas rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: rated, reviewed, other-interest, general-fiction, children-teen, spiritual, funny

I never read this book as a kid and I’m kind of glad. If I had been like many of my peers who had so many unanswered questions about puberty and peer pressure this book may have appealed to me, but I was always a bit different from my peers. I read a medical journal at the age of seven that cleared up a lot and then had very candid conversations with my mom about anything else that slipped through the cracks.

From a social standpoint, I feel like the book started to cover some really good points I never read this book as a kid and I’m kind of glad. If I had been like many of my peers who had so many unanswered questions about puberty and peer pressure this book may have appealed to me, but I was always a bit different from my peers. I read a medical journal at the age of seven that cleared up a lot and then had very candid conversations with my mom about anything else that slipped through the cracks.

From a social standpoint, I feel like the book started to cover some really good points but then just didn’t follow through. Perhaps the author didn’t want to inundate young readers with her opinions and hoped they’d make up their own minds, but that seems a bit of a stretch. I just feel like there should have been more exploration of peer pressure, bullying, assumptions and gossip, discrimination, friendships, female relationships, self-esteem, and more.

Then there’s the whole issue of God. I honestly didn’t quite understand why the main character was even talking to God in the first place when her parents don't profess to believe in a god. Perhaps the author explained this and I simply missed it. In any case, this part of the story seems to be more of a question of religion, whether to pick one or not, rather than actually a sense of faith or belief. I don’t recall the book ever making the distinction about whether people follow the rituals of a particular religion or have real faith in a set of beliefs. Other than Christianity and Judaism, other religions are only mentioned once in one sentence at the end of the book. That doesn’t say much about religion or faith. Still, it did seem as though the only real religious (not necessarily holy) characters in the book were depicted as the “bad” guys. It left me wondering what exactly the author’s point was with this lackluster exploration in the first place.

I enjoyed the part of the story where the mc had a chance to travel between NJ and NY on her own. I can't imagine a young suburban kid doing that today, but I'm sure the inner-city youth move about the best they can. I don't remember there being much mention of anyone outside of suburban society other than the "rich boy" who had the birthday party. Perhaps at the age-level our heroine is, from a young perspective, no other classes exist outside the one she's a part of.

At the time it was written this story was a contemporary, now it reads more like a period piece (no pun intended). I could definitely see this story being reimagined or updated to better appeal to the youth of today.

Overall, though, this was an enjoyable read. I think the author captured the mind of a young, non-minority, suburban girl of the time very well.

Not really sure who’d I recommend this too, but it’s definitely worth a read for those of my generation who may have missed it, just as I did. ...more

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Jul 06, 2019 Juneta Key rated it really liked it · review of another edition

An enjoyable middle grade read. The simple language and the way it intermixes with the narrative brings the characters out so you feel you are involved and in their heads at the same time. The subject matter and the story is still relevant today as it was when the book was first written. A good story for younger readers yet engaging.

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Jul 26, 2019 J. Dorner rated it really liked it

Shelves: iwsg, children-s, beatthebacklist-2019

It is a well-written book. The target audience is young ladies (which I am not). The book is interesting within its genre because it was rare for girls to be able to discuss puberty when this book was published. Exploring religions was also a rare topic, which this book addresses. So, if I were to recommend it, it would be to young ladies or young people struggling with religious identity.

I got a copy of this book because it was the IWSG bookclub book for July 2019. It isn't my typical or prefe ...more

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Oct 09, 2020 Tonja Drecker rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

This is a lovely version of the well-known and highly enjoyed tale for middle grade and tween girls brought out in celebration of the novel's 50th anniversary. And it is a treat for readers who enjoy it.

Margaret has just moved to a small town in New Jersey and is excited to start sixth grade at a new school with her new friends. Bonding, the girls form a small group where they discuss all sorts of things which are important to them—all of that wonderful girl stuff. Not only does Margaret have to This is a lovely version of the well-known and highly enjoyed tale for middle grade and tween girls brought out in celebration of the novel's 50th anniversary. And it is a treat for readers who enjoy it.

Margaret has just moved to a small town in New Jersey and is excited to start sixth grade at a new school with her new friends. Bonding, the girls form a small group where they discuss all sorts of things which are important to them—all of that wonderful girl stuff. Not only does Margaret have to come to terms with her changing body and interests, but fights hard to fit in. But even things like religion are throwing her for a loop. Margaret has a very close relationship with God and trust Him with everything, but she doesn't practice 'religion'. And that's something the girls just don't get.

This was hugely popular when I was in the fifth/sixth grade, and I remember all the girls squealing, giggling, and sneaking this book to each other under their desks. As a kid at a private religious school, this book pushed tabus and the girls in my class loved it. I myself didn't touch this one until many years later, and not for the same reasons as my friends did at that time. But I understood why they enjoyed this one so much...although they never read any other books really.

Margaret is very easy to relate to. Ms. Blume brings her across as a very natural, normal girl, who is simply trying to handle everyday life. The situations are very similar to that of many girls at that age, and the problems are the type that every girl faces. I think what really wins readers over is the simple openness Margaret expresses with her thoughts and feelings. While her relationship to her friends is easy to understand and connect with, it's the openness she shares with God, which really hits home, since she hides nothing when she speaks to Him. This is an honesty readers simply enjoy and feel a part of.

Times have changed tremendously on the themes surrounding Margaret and her friends in so far that many are no longer considered as tabu. Still, this novel hasn't aged. Margaret comes across as natural as she did then, and still has the same problems. It's actually amazing that this tale has glided so easily over the decades. And this new version adds a special cover and format to prove how timeless this book is. It's pink like Margaret's favorite color (which most girls that age avoid) and has a more modern flair than the earlier versions. It's definitely great for gifting, too. Although I, personally, was never a fan of such books as a young girl, I know many, many girls were and I believe they still will be today.

I received a complimentary copy and found it to be very well done. ...more

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