Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret: Now a major film starring Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson

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Another important element of this book that is very applicable to everyone today is the pressures Margaret goes through – social, religious, relationships, etc. She just wants to live, but people are filling her head with lies and arguments that make it difficult for her to make decisions for herself. All it does is make her miserable. This reminds me of how some people seem to be willing to treat others today (especially with the anonymity of the internet). While it isn’t everyone, it seems like many people like to force their opinions down people’s throats and make them feel bad about their own feelings. Those people don’t consider – or don’t care - how this makes others feel. It makes me very sad! And, it made me very frustrated for Margaret!

Which, like, I mentioned that Blume is writing solely for 12-year-old girls, and you might wonder what it's like for a 42-year-old man to read this. Probably not though, because literally who cares, but I'll tell you anyway: it's awkward. On the one hand, we enlightened men should be well past being freaked out by periods, right? And on the other hand, there's a heavy social taboo against adult men being in any way interested in training bras, and some of the reasons for it are good. Let's just say that I often label my Kindle so people on the subway can tell what I'm reading, and this time around I chose not to. And let's also reiterate that no one cares what I think about Judy Blume. Recommended for young readers; teachers looking for curriculum reads; Judy Blume fans; fans of middle grade fiction with a lit fic feel Also, I got the overwhelming feeling that their male teacher, is in fact, a pervert. He held his gaze with Margaret too long for my liking, and he enjoyed looking at one of the girls that was an early developer. He also made Margaret feel dreadfully uncomfortable when she stated she hated religious holidays. What might be wrong about that, I ask?

Did we miss something on diversity?

Side note related to the comment above: The key plot of the story is Margaret trying to decide which religion she wants to be – if any. I was reading online that this book has been censored and banned in some places because of its take on Christianity. As a Christian myself, this is ridiculous – and the behavior of the Christians in the book is ridiculous. No one should be made to feel bad about exploring what feels comfortable to them and, if they decide one thing over another, that is their choice and no one else’s business. The way she is treated in this book I am not surprised she responds the way she does! The Venture Bros. television show included an episode " Are You There, God? It's Me, Dean" that aired on October 2, 2004. [23] When I first read the book, not only was I terrified of getting my first period, especially at school, but I thought I at least had the basic mechanics down of all the necessary accoutrement. After reading "Are You There...", a frantic me had to spend 20 minutes in a Walgreens, reassuring myself that this mythical "belt" contraption no longer existed, and was completely unnecessary. And even then, it wasn't until age 12 that I was completely satisfied. My niece is 10 years old now and she is really trying to figure out this growing up thing. She is wanting more time with girlfriends to talk about stuff. I gave her my copy of this book to read that I read when I was about 10 or 11 years old. It's a very old copy now. She read the book in 2 days and said it was good. I decided to re-read this classic and be able to talk with her about the book. Blume's coming-of-age stories were some of the most popular reads for teenagers, mainly young girls, who passed through on their way to adulthood. Sex, masturbation, periods, sexuality, body image, puberty, disability, friendship, religion, even death; we tittered at some parts, cried at others, and we lapped up Blume's books because they explored these issues in a way that was real and relatable.

Twenter, Paige (February 2, 2022). "ReRuns: The Genius of 'Bob's Burgers' ". Loyola Phoenix . Retrieved September 23, 2022. The kinds of novels Blume pioneered, probing how sexuality looms in teen and preteen lives, are torrid political symbols right now in Congress, state legislatures and school boards across the country. Legislation dubbed the “Parents Bill of Rights,” which passed the U.S. House this spring, pointedly reminds parents that they can inspect books in school libraries. Last year, the Idaho legislature debated a bill that would have subjected librarians to criminal penalties for “disseminating material harmful to minors.” Part of her study involves attending different places of worship to better understand religious practice and also to see if one of them might be right for her. Are You There God? It's Me, Ellen: Compelling case for young critical progressives to make Catholicism a broad church". independent. October 31, 2020 . Retrieved September 4, 2022.Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' Movie Finds Its Margaret In 'Ant-Man's Abby Ryder Fortson; Rachel McAdams Also Set A week before Margaret is set to visit Grandma in Florida, Mom gets a letter from her parents, Margaret’s Grandmother and Grandfather. They’re coming to visit over spring vacation, so Margaret can’t go to Florida. Margaret is incensed; God must be punishing her for being mean to Laura. The visit is awful. When Grandmother and Grandfather try to insist that Margaret is a Christian and should go to church, Mom and Dad insist that Margaret can choose. To escape her grandparents, Margaret goes with Janie to the movies the next day. They decide to buy pads at a drugstore, just in case either of them starts their period. When Margaret gets home, Grandmother and Grandfather announce they’re leaving early. Once they’re gone, Margaret practices wearing a pad. That night, Grandma and her new boyfriend, Mr. Binamin, show up on the doorstep. Grandma explains that she came hoping to tell Mom’s parents that Margaret is Jewish. Margaret snaps. She insists she doesn’t believe in God. She and God aren’t speaking anymore. In 1970, The New York Times selected Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. as the Outstanding Book of the Year. [11] I used to be afraid to answer that question. I thought if I ever figured it out I’d never have another one! But now I know that ideas come from everywhere–memories of my own life, incidents in my children’s lives, what I see and hear and read–and most of all, from my imagination.

When Margaret and her mom eventually find themselves in a bathroom under similar circumstances, the crying is of a different variety. It’s all terribly scary, yes, but in Blume and Fremon Craig’s hands, growing up is also heart-stoppingly beautiful. Stories like this don't do much to help people like me, who don't insist that everyone share our worldview but would like to be believed when we say we have such a worldview. And this does come up quite a bit. Most Frequently Challenged Books: 1990–1999". ALA.org. American Library Association. Archived from the original on November 13, 2016 . Retrieved December 18, 2016. In the film Deadpool, the character Deadpool ( Ryan Reynolds) says, "Are you there God? It's me, Margaret" as he splatters Colossus with blood. [21] On the first day of school, Margaret and Nancy learn they have a first-year teacher, Mr. Benedict. After school, Margaret goes to Nancy’s first secret club meeting. She meets the other two girls, Gretchen Potter and Janie Loomis. They decide they all have to wear bras, keep a Boy Book (a ranked list of boys they like), and share immediately if they start their period. Nancy also tells Margaret about Laura Danken, their classmate who is physically very mature. According to Nancy, Laura regularly lets Moose and Evan touch her. Margaret tells her friends about how her mom’s parents disowned her mom when she married a Jewish man (Margaret’s dad). This is why her parents are raising her without religion; she can choose a religion for herself when she gets older if she wants. Nancy is aghast, since everyone in Farbrook either joins the Y or the Jewish Community Center, depending on their religious affiliation. Over the weekend, both Janie and Margaret buy their first bras.Gretchen has her first menstrual period, which causes Margaret to worry that she is abnormal because she has not started menstruating. Margaret envies her classmate, Laura Danker, who started menstruating and wears a brassiere. According to Nancy, Laura dates an older boy. The Pre-Teen Sensations gossip about Laura letting boys touch her breasts. Margaret feels guilty when she learns that Laura is a devout Catholic and is hurt by the rumors. Margaret is attracted to a popular boy in her class named Philip Leroy. They kiss while playing "two minutes in the closet" during a party. Nancy lies to the Pre-Teen Sensations that she had her first menstrual period when away on vacation. Margaret discovers the truth when Nancy gets her actual first menstrual period while at a restaurant with Margaret. Muccigrosso, Catherine (April 2, 2021). "Production of star-studded movie begins in Charlotte as NC film production heats up". The Charlotte Observer . Retrieved April 5, 2021. I was attracted to the wildness of these neighbor's homes, and I always felt I'd have developed more of a voice there, among those more boisterous dinner tables. I knew I had an innate sassiness, but I didn't know how to make it emerge, or how to be more authentic to my self.

An impossible question to answer. It’s like asking a mother, which is your favorite child? Each one is special in a different way. Which is fine. Very believable. But then she starts telling everyone that she doesn't believe in God. And whenever she says that, she thinks to herself that she hopes he's listening. Blume said that she felt a connection with the character Margaret, which allowed the story to come "pouring out." Blume wrote that while the story was not autobiographical, "the character of Margaret, both physically and emotionally, is pretty close to the girl I was." [6] Growing up, Blume said while her family was very different from the one portrayed in the book, she felt that, "like Margaret, I had a very personal relationship with God that had little to do with organized religion." [7] [8] I love to rewrite! Once I have a first draft I’m able to relax. It’s as if I have the pieces to a puzzle and all I have to do is figure out how to put them together. I actually enjoy second and third drafts. Only then do I share a new book with my editor. After we talk I do another rewrite and then a final polish.Image: Abby Ryder Fortson stars in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. Pic: Dana Hawley/Lionsgate UK Only recently, Blume affirmed her allyship with the trans community. "Anything to the contrary is total bullshit," she said in a statement following an interview with The Times, which was headlined: Judy Blume: 'I'm behind JK Rowling 100 per cent', and had sparked controversy online.