From Our Editors
Growing up can be difficult for adolescents. Sometimes these
problems prompt young people to look to religion or a spiritual
life. Are You there, God? It's Me,
Margaret shares one girl's struggle and a brilliant
solution. She has a conversation with her own private God. This
classic has been a source of inspiration for countless
teenagers.
From the Publisher
Are You There God? It''s Me, Margaret
No one ever told Margaret Simon that eleven-going-on- twelve would
be such a hard age. When her family moves to New Jersey,
she has to adjust to life in the suburbs, a different school, and a
whole new group of friends. Margaret knows she needs
someone to talk to about growing up-and it''s not long before
she''s found a solution.
Are you there God? It''s me, Margaret. I can''t wait
until two o''clock God. That''s when our dance
starts. Do you think I''ll get Philip Leroy for a
partner? It''s not so much that I like him as a person
God, but as a boy he''s very handsome. And I''d love to
dance with him... just once or twice. Thank you God.
From the Jacket
"Are You There God? It''s Me, Margaret
No one ever told Margaret Simon that eleven-going-on- twelve would
be such a hard age. When her family moves to New Jersey, she has to
adjust to life in the suburbs, a different school, and a whole new
group of friends. Margaret knows she needs someone to talk to about
growing up-and it''s not long before she''s found a solution.
Are you there God? It''s me, Margaret. I can''t wait until two
o''clock God. That''s when our dance starts. Do you think I''ll get
Philip Leroy for a partner? It''s not so much that I like him as a
person God, but as a boy he''s very handsome. And I''d love to
dance with him... just once or twice. Thank you God.
About the Author
Judy Blume is considered one of the world's best-known writers for young adults. She was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, in 1938. She earned a degree in education. Blume has written over 20 books. Titles such as "Are You There, God? It's Me Margaret", "Then Again, Maybe I Won't", and "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" are widely recognized. Her books have sold over 50 million copies worldwide and have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Blume has received more than 100 awards. In 1996, she received the American Library Association's Margaret A. Edwards Award for Lifetime Achievement. Her adult titles include "Wifey", "Smart Women", and "Summer Sisters". Young readers have always viewed Blume as someone who is in touch with their feelings. They write thousands of letters to her each year, a number of which were published in her 1986 book, "Letters to Judy: What Your Kids Wish They Could Tell You". Blume currently resides in New York. She has three grown children, speaks out against censorship, and continues to write.
Bookclub Guide
An Interview with Judy Blume
When were you born?: February 12, 1938
Where were you born?: Elizabeth, New Jersey
Where did you go to school?: Public schools in Elizabeth,
New Jersey; B.S., New York University, 1961
Were you a good student?
Yes, especially when the teacher made the subject come
alive!
What were you like when you were growing up?
Small, skinny, a late developer. At first, very shy and
fearful. Then, around fourth grade, much more outgoing. (I can't
explain this change.) I enjoyed drama, dancing, singing, painting
and performing. I loved to roller skate (we didn't have roller
blades then). I also loved going to the movies and browsing at the
public library. I was always reading something.
What were your favorite books?
The Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace.
What was your family like?
A lot like the family in Starring Sally J. Freedman as
Herself. That's my most autobiographical book. Sally is the
kind of kid I was at ten. My brother was like Douglas, Sally's
brother.
Are any of your other characters based on you or your
family?
Sheila, in Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great, has
some of my childhood fears. And Margaret, in Are You There God?
It's Me, Margaret., has many of the feelings and concerns I
had when I was in sixth grade. But her family is very different
from mine.
Where do you get your ideas?
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.
What about Fudge? I knew you'd ask me about him! Fudge was
based on my son, Larry, when he was a toddler. Larry never
swallowed a turtle, though. That idea came from a news article
about a toddler who actually did swallow one! Now Larry has grown
up but I still get ideas form him. He's the one who told me about
swallowing a fly while riding his bike. That's how I got the idea
for the I.S.A.F. club in Fudge-a-mania.
Of all the books you have written, which is your favorite, and
who is your favorite character?
An impossible question to answer. It's like asking a mother,
which is your favorite child? Each one is special in a different
way.
How old were you when your first book was published and which
book was it?
I was twenty-seven when I began to write seriously and after
two years of rejections my first book, The One in the Middle is
the Green Kangaroo, was accepted for publication.
How long does it take you to write a book?
About a year, if there are no disruptions in my personal life and
other professional obligations don't get in the way. What every
writer needs is long blocks of uninterrupted time. You can't think
if your life gets too busy!
Do you know the whole story before you start a new book?
No. But before I begin to write I fill a notebook, jotting
down everything that pops into my head about my characters and
story--bits of dialogue, ideas for scenes, background information,
descriptions of people and places, details and more details. But
even with my notebook, I still don't know everything. For me,
finding out is the best part of writing.
What's the hardest part of writing for you?
I dread first drafts! I worry each day that it won't come,
that nothing will happen.
Do you ever rewrite?
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.
Do you have a favorite place to write?
During the summer months (my favorite time of the year) we go
to Martha's Vineyard, an island off the coast of Massachusetts. I
have a tiny writing cabin there, far enough away from the house to
feel very private. I get up early in the morning and work until
noon. I wrote most of my latest book, Here's to You, Rachel
Robinson, there. Sometimes I wish summer would last all year
long.
Are you going to write more books?
I certainly hope so! I have two ideas right now but I'm not
ready to talk about them yet. . .
