July 5, 2011

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret

I'm updating my home library with some classics and, of course, had to add at least one Judy Blume favorite.

Published more than 40 years ago, Blume's exploration of tween angst still rings true. Yes, parts of it are dated — can't imagine anyone relating to a square dance these days — but Blume captures the desperation of every girl who feels she's not normal. Stuffing bras, anyone? :)

It brought back memories of the day my mother made me tell my father that I was now a woman. Talk about humiliating!

And that film we all had to see? Who can forget learning that your reproductive system looks like a ram's head?

Have to admire Blume for writing a book that addresses tween angst and choosing a religion, though I feel that particular aspect was less well developed. For someone working on a school project about faith, Margaret's investigations felt shallow, just attending Mass and temple a few times and deciding she didn't feel God's presence.

Even so, it's a brave concept and Blume has taken a lot of heat for it, earning a spot on the ALA's top 100 challenged books. Understandable, given that religion is one of the most heated topics in any decade, but banning a book because it talks about breasts and menstruation? Ridiculous.

Have you read it?

14 comments:

  1. Yes. I love this book. It is dated. And when I read an older book I can't help but feel that it's low tension (compared to the fast paced books written today).

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  2. I haven't read it, but I feel as though I've missed something important, so I probably should.

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  3. I don't know how I missed reading Judy Blume. Oh wait, I was already way past puberty when her books starting coming out. Too bad. I think I could have used this one especially.

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  4. It sounds so good. This is going to my TBR list.

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  5. LOVE this book. I think I read it in fifth grade. And in sixth. Our sixth grade teacher assigned it to the class and my parents were one of the ones protesting. Then I told them I'd already read it. More than once. And I was still me. Funny, that :)

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  6. Medeia: Yes, it is slow and low-keyed. I suppose that makes it more literary than commercial. Don't see how you could up the pace without muting Blume's style.

    VR: Be prepared for a somewhat quiet book that still manages to be funny and thoughtful.

    Rahma: What, you didn't compare breast size with your girlfriends? ;-)

    Mystica: I'm a big fan of reading classics, especially from children's authors who have led the way.

    Sherrie: Oh, that is funny! I think adults don't give kids enough credit for being able to evaluate books on their own terms.

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  7. I am sadly one of those women whose tweenhood has a gaping hole where this book ought to be.

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  8. Stephanie: I thought most girls got the movie, at least. I mean, this is a major event in adolescence. But after talking with writer friends this morning, it sounds like some had to settle for a pamphlet that was brought home but never discussed. Amazing.

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  9. I read it when I was probably a little too young for it, but my older sister read it so many times the cover came off and the pages are warped!

    I do like the Blume tackled the issue of people feeling a need for God, though. Bold. Very bold.

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  10. Heidi: How interesting! Did your sister ever talk about why it was so special to her?

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  11. Oh, yeah, I've read it. I think we read it under the covers with a flashlight when we were young!

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  12. Elana: I think a lot of girls did the same.

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  13. Judy Blume is always a popular author in MG classrooms. I don't understand these folks who feel the need to challenge books like this! Or any books for that matter...

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  14. Jemi: I suppose some people don't like the idea of children or teens thinking for themselves.

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