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Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret Unknown - 1993

by Judy Blume


About this book

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is about a sixth-grade girl growing up and wondering about God and puberty and boys. It was challenged a lot after the 1980s because of its frank discussion of topics like religion and sex. Blume was one of the first Young Adult novelists to write about subjects long considered taboo for teenagers, and is credited for helping to get generations of pre-teens into reading although she has also been named one of the most frequently challenged authors according to the American Library Association.

The novel was Blume's third published book. It has become a touchstone coming-of-age novel for girls. Through the five decades of popularity it has received updates from the publisher, including a controversial 2014 cover art depiction of Margaret texting God, following by an ellipsis in a message bubble. In 1998, Blume updated the novel herself, changing Margaret and her friends from using 'sanitary' napkins with belts, to disposable pads.

Judy Blume’s books have won hundreds of awards. She is the recipient of the National Book Foundation’s Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. She lives in Key West and New York City. You can visit her at www.judyblume.com.   

First line

Are you there God?

First Edition Identification

The first edition of Are you there God? It's Me, Margaret was published by Bradbury Press in 1970. It has a yellow cover with a girl sitting on the side of a bed.

Details

  • Title Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret
  • Author Judy Blume
  • Binding unknown
  • Publisher Bantam Doubleday Dell Books
  • Date August 1993
  • ISBN 9780440900474