Today, we are going to see the new movie adaptation of Judy Blume's classic YA novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. I had never read the book, so last weekend, in preparation for this movie, I decided to finally rectify that situation. I enjoyed to book and felt a little bad that it took me until my 50s to finally read it.
(Are You There God?... movie poster--Gracie Films)
Having now finally read Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and watched the excellent Amazon Prime documentary, Judy Blume Forever, I am all about the Blumaissance. Considering the renewed onslaught of conservative attempts to censor and/or ban books, this is the best time possible for Judy Blume to be squarely and proudly in the spotlight.
Like many kids who grew up in the '70s/'80s, I read my share of Judy Blume books, but they were the ones that were deemed "appropriate" for boys. I remember enjoying Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Blubber, and my favorite of her books, Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself. I have a distinct memory of Mrs. Torrace, across the street from us in Detroit, bringing some Judy Blume books (ones that belonged to her daughters Tracey and Noelle) to my mom for me to read. Among those were Fourth Grade Nothing and Blubber. My memory is that Are You There God? was deemed inappropriate. (Then again, it's one of those childhood memories that may or may not be accurate).
This is my immediate response to Are You There God? upon finishing it. I posted this on Facebook back on April 23. I edited it a bit for inclusion here:
So I am a decidedly middle-aged guy who just read Are You There God? It's Me Margaret for the very first time. (A movie adaptation will be released on April 28, so I thought I should read the book).
When I was a kid, Are You There God? was viewed as a "girls' book." ("We must NOT let the boys read about menstruation! The horror!"). Thus, I never read it until now.
Well, guess what? This book is--[spoiler alert]--absolutely excellent. It should not be reduced to merely a book about "getting your period," because it is so much more that just that. It's a coming-of-age story that encompasses subjects such as: moving to a new home, making new friends, questioning/exploring religion and faith, anbd just trying to find ones way in the world.
There's also plenty for adults to recognize and appreciate in the book. (The scene with Barbara Simon's estranged Christian parents was particularly powerful from an adult perspective).
As for it just being a "girls' book"? I have to call nonsense on that. Many of the themes are universal, and so what if boys read about girls wanting boobs or wondering when they'll get their periods? Maybe a little empathy and understanding of what girls go through could be a good thing. Just a thought.
Since finishing Are You There God?..., I have moved on to Judy Blume's 1975 YA novel Forever... I have to tell you, going on a YA novel reading binge was not on my 2023 bingo card, but I'm enjoying it. Forever..., which deals much more explicitly (but sensitively and realistically) with teen sex, is quite good so far.
