Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume

She just runs away with it.Īgain, this little girl playing Margaret is just stunning. And Kathy Bates steals every scene that she's in. There was not one child actor on the screen. The children in this film were masterful. It actually softened out some of the edges. It did a beautiful job at correcting a couple of things in the book that could stand to be corrected. And boy, was I surprised because I absolutely loved this film.

I loved it, and I'm so glad that it's on the big screen for a whole new generation to discover.īARRIE HARDYMON, BYLINE: I am part of the segment of the population that owns my copy still of 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret.' And so I went in with very high expectations and prepared to be disappointed. And the story is still painfully relevant and relatable, even though it takes place in the 1970s. Judy Blume was kind of banned from my library growing up in Florida, so this was one of my first real experiences of getting to see any of her stories. MONICA CASTILLO: So I'm part of this in-between generation where we weren't allowed to read it. What did you think of 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret'? STEPHEN THOMPSON, BYLINE: Monica Castillo, I'm going to start with you. Here are co-hosts Stephen Thompson and Linda Holmes speaking with NPR senior editor Barrie Hardymon and Monica Castillo, senior film programmer at the Jacob Burns Film Center. Earlier this week, the NPR podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour focused on the movie. A movie adaptation of 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' is out now and getting some rave reviews. And it's a story that still resonates with audiences today. MCCAMMON: Writing honestly for adolescent readers about puberty and sex is not so unusual in 2023, but at that time, in the 1970s, it was revolutionary. KELLY: Like chicken wings flapping as we're - Yeah. KELLY: We should, for people who don't know what we're talking about, would you just say that - what we're talking about here?īLUME: We're talking about I must, I must, I must increase my bust with the proper accompanying arm movements. And one day, when you're as old as I am, you might even be glad. And when I talk to kids, I tell them it doesn't work. If I had, among other things, I might have complained that the bosom-increasing exercise that Margaret does fervently does not work because I tried. MARY LOUISE KELLY: Well, Judy, I did not write you a letter. Recently, she spoke with Judy Blume about the many letters Blume has received from fans and readers over the years. It was a staple for many childhood readers, including my co-host, Mary Louise Kelly.

Judy Blume's 1970 novel, 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret,' tells the story of a preteen girl who moves to New Jersey with her family, makes new friends, and awaits the arrival of her period.

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume