Review: When it comes to books for young people Judy Blume is surely the undisputed master. As a writer of young adult novels myself I can only dream of one day reaching even the first rung of the ladder of her prowess. Her novels hold a place in the hearts of generations of girls and boys because she seemed to magically know the secrets of ours.
I discovered Judy Blume around aged 9 or 10, when I was given a copy of Deanie, I instantly fell in love with her stories and whizzed through everything from her I could find. Naturally I read Are You There God? It's Me Margaret back when I was a child, but sadly had not returned to it in several decades. However, when I heard they were finally making a film version of the book I made sure to do a quick reread in preparation. Coming back to the novel so many years later, as an adult, was both nostalgic and illuminating. Predictably, I understood and related to the adult characters far more than I had done as a ten year old girl, I also recognised the complexities of their relationships which were, of course, oblivious to me as a young girl.
Margaret was still as charming as I remembered her; fragile, honest, thoughtful, keen and quite philosophical in her own way. An absolute darling so beautifully rendered on the page by Judy Blume. The reason she has endured as a reader favourite for over fifty years.
Title: Are You There God? It's Me Margaret
Author: Judy Blume
Genre: Young Adult
ISBN: 978-1481409940
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: 1970
Publisher Description: Margaret Simon, almost twelve, likes long hair, tuna fish, the smell of rain, and things that are pink. She’s just moved from New York City to Farbook, New Jersey, and is anxious to fit in with her new friends—Nancy, Gretchen, and Janie. When they form a secret club to talk about private subjects like boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret is happy to belong.
But none of them can believe Margaret doesn’t have religion, and that she isn’t going to the Y or the Jewish Community Center. What they don’t know is Margaret has her own very special relationship with God. She can talk to God about everything—family, friends, even Moose Freed, her secret crush.
Judy Blume spent her childhood in Elizabeth, NJ, making up stories inside her head. She has spent her adult years in many places, doing the same thing, only now she writes her stories down on paper. Adults as well as children will recognize such Blume titles as: Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret; Superfudge; Blubber; Just As Long As We're Together; and Forever. She has also written the best-selling novels Wifey; Smart Women; and, Summer Sisters. More than 75 million copies of her books have been sold, and her work has been translated into twenty-six languages.
She receives thousands of letters each month from readers of all ages who share their feelings and concerns with her.
Judy received a B.S. in education from New York University in 1961, which named her a Distinguished Alumna in 1996, the same year that American Library Association honored her with the Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. She has won more than ninety awards, none more important than those coming directly from her youngest readers.
She serves on the boards of the Author's Guild, currently as Vice President; the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, where she sponsors an award for contemporary fiction; and the National Coalition Against Censorship, working to protect intellectual freedom. In Spring 2002, Judy was a spokesperson for the Cheerios "A Book for Every Child" literacy campaign which benefited Reading is Fundamental, America's largest literacy organization. She is also the founder and trustee of The Kids Fund, a charitable and educational foundation.
Judy lives on islands up and down the East Coast with her husband George Cooper. They have three grown children and one grandchild.