Like that? Read this! | Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

“Like That? Read This!” is a feature where I provide librarian-curated book recommendations. I’ll be picking a recent release and sharing a list of similar books to pick up if you liked it! “Like That? Read This!” is also perfect when you’re waiting for a library copy of a hot new release and need something to read in the meantime.

Librarians and educators are welcome to use “Like That? Read This!” to create readalike lists, displays, or other readers advisory tools for their students/readers!

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Title: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret

Author: Judy Blume

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Release date: movie tie-in edition released Feb 23, 2023; originally published in 1970.

Order it from bookshop.org!

Synopsis: “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.

Margaret is funny and real, and her thoughts and feelings are oh-so-relatable—you’ll feel like she’s talking right to you, sharing her secrets with a friend.”

My thoughts: I was a huge Judy Blume fan as a kid, and Margaret’s story definitely holds a special place in my heart! Like a lot of readers, I had huge expectations for the movie and it exceeded them. The creators did a fantastic job of taking what made the book so special, and expanding upon it to make it even better.

There’s a reason this book resonated with so many, and I think the movie will too. I just had to make a readalike list for this one, even though I normally focus on newer releases.

These coming of age stories touch upon questions of identity, family, friendship, puberty, and girlhood! If you enjoy Margaret’s voice and the authentic exploration of being on the cusp of young adulthood, you’ll love these as well.

Whether you grew up with Judy Blume’s books or have newly discovered her work due to the movie, I know you’ll adore these books too.

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• Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega & Rose Bousamra: Much like “Margaret,” this graphic novel is a character-driven coming of age story with a touch of angst. It follows Dominican-American tween Marlene as she struggles to embrace her natural hair and find self-love.
• Starfish by Lisa Fipps: While “Margaret” is in prose and “Starfish” is in verse, both novels explore friendship and self-acceptance. Both Margaret and Ellie must go on a journey to feel at home in their bodies and to stand up to bullies in their lives.
• Go With the Flow by Lily Williams: In this feel-good graphic novel, a group of friends bans together to fight period poverty and menstrual stigma at their high school. I think we can all agree that Margaret would be a huge supporter of the fight for menstrual justice!
• The Moon Within by Aida Salazar: As she enters puberty, 11 year-old Celi struggles to accept the changes to her body and navigates complicated feelings about the traditional moon ceremony her mom is planning for her. Much like Margaret’s story, this book explores puberty and menstruation in an open, honest way.
• Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson: Readers who enjoyed the time period of “Margaret” will similarly enjoy this thoughtful coming-of-age story set in the 1960s/1970s. Plus, the author Jacqueline Woodson is a huge fan of “Margaret” herself–you can see her featured in the recent documentary “Judy Blume Forever.”

• Alma Presses Play by Tina Cane: Much like Margaret, Alma comes from an interfaith family and is struggling to understand her Jewish identity. Those who enjoy the 1970s setting of Margaret will appreciate this historical novel in verse set in the 80s.
• Click by Kayla Miller: This graphic novel exploring complex friendships and school drama will appeal to readers who loved the antics of The Four Pre-Teen Sensations in Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret!
• Dear Sweet Pea by Julie Murphy: Patricia–AKA ‘Sweet Pea’–is a lot like Margaret. She’s on the cusp of teenagehood and is navigating big changes and figuring out who she is. How can she stay true to herself when she feels unsure of so much?
• Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan: Starring a Pakistani-American Muslim protagonist, this book is also about learning to stay true to yourself while finding a place in the world–much like Margaret’s story.
• Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga: In this moving novel in verse, Jude moves to Ohio to escape the violence in her home of Syria; while this book tackles big topics like immigration and war, at its core, it explores identity, belonging, and the transition from girl to young woman similarly to Margaret’s story.

• One True Way by Shannon Hitchcock: Looking for more books with a 1970s vibe? You’ll love this middle grade novel that also follows a girl starting over at a new school while navigating family and friendship.
• Genesis Begins Again by Alicia Williams: Genesis struggles with self-acceptance and colorism in this emotional, moving novel; while it addresses themes of race in a way that ‘Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret’ does not, the themes of growing up, finding your place in the world, and coming of age will resonate with fans of Margaret’s story. 
• Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson: Twelve year-old Amara struggles to better understand herself and her family, much like Margaret’s experience!
• In The Role of Brie Hutchens by Nicole Melleby: If you loved Margaret’s quippy, precocious and iconic voice, you’ll adore Brie Hutchens! This book deals with similar themes of growing up, family, friendship, and faith, while also exploring sexuality.
• A Good Kind of Trouble by Lisa Moore Ramée: Readers who enjoyed Margaret’s story of finding her voice and exploring her identity will appreciate this coming of age novel about a tween girl taking a stand for racial justice.

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Are you a Judy Blume fan? Have you seen the movie yet?!

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