Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Blume, Judy. (2008). Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Paw Prints.

 

What an experience reading this first as a preteen girl 20 something years ago, and then reading it as a parent of a preteen girl now.  The things that I related to (fear of growing up, nervousness about boys, anxiety about changing bodies, religious questioning) seem to be the things that put this book on the frequently challenged lists.  I think that for 2011, it seems really tame.  Sure, I maybe wish the Playboy references weren't there, but I think kids today hear and see much worse on tv, internet, etc.  The religious questioning doesn't bother me as a parent; I think a person should question their religion so you find the right one for you.  I like the idea of making kids think about things for themselves.