Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

By: Judy Blume

Narrated by: Laura Hamilton

Length: 3 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

The beloved coming-of-age novel from the author whose “name has long been synonymous with young adult fiction” (Los Angeles Times).    

“Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret is very special.” (Amy Poehler, quoted on Vulture.com)   

“Generations of teenage girls have grown up reading the tales of teenage angst told by beloved author Judy Blume.” (Mashable.com)   

Margaret Simon, almost 12, has just moved from New York City to the suburbs, and she’s anxious to fit in with her new friends. When she’s asked to join a secret club, she jumps at the chance. But when the girls start talking about boys, bras, and getting their first periods, Margaret starts to wonder if she’s normal. There are some things about growing up that are hard for her to talk about, even with her friends. 

Lucky for Margaret, she’s got someone else to confide in...someone who always listens.   

“The first Judy Blume books I read...served as a kind of introduction to myself.” (John Green quoted in The New York Times)

“Mention Judy Blume to almost any woman under a certain age and you're likely to get this reaction: Her face lights up, and she's transported back to her childhood self - curled up with a book she knows will speak directly to her anxieties about relationships, self-image and measuring up.” (NPR.org)   

“Fans, readers, booksellers - even other authors and celebrities - often dissolve into tears upon meeting [Judy Blume], confessing that books like “Forever...” and “Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret” got them through adolescence; taught them about sex, love and friendship; and provided their first glimpse of adulthood.” (The New York Times)    

“Blume wasn’t the first writer to legitimize and celebrate the interior life of young girls.... But Blume’s work feels significantly more influential than that of her predecessors and peers.” (The New Yorker)   

“These stories belong to young women. Real young women.” (Diablo Cody, Entertainment Weekly) 

©1970 Judy Blume (P)2009 Listening Library

Critic Reviews

"If anyone tried to determine the most common rite of passage for preteen girls in North America, a girl's first reading of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret would rank near the top of the list." (Amazon.com review)

Hilarious and charming

Would you listen to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret again? Why?

Definitely! This was one of my favorite books when I was an adolescent. I am now 40 and listened to it for a class I'm taking - it was so much funnier than I remember. I thoroughly enjoyed re-experiencing this story from my current perspective.

What about Laura Hamilton’s performance did you like?

I thought the performance was great. I almost felt like I was listening to Margaret, not an audiobook.

I love it!!!😂😂😂😃😄😃😅😅😃😅😅😅😳😝😋😜😛

😂😂😂😂 I love IT!!!!!!!! I love Judy blum I Love all her books So MUTCH!!!!!!!

You can really relate!

I feel like this is a book that I could really relate to. It's about normal people just like me facing real difficulties,and I like that!

Shared a childhood favorite with my daughter

I loved sharing one of my favorite childhood books with my daughter. At first, I was a little nervous about the content since she's only in 4th grade, but it was actually really good for her to hear the kinds of questions and interests that she's starting to have herself.

First heard it when I was 10 and still love it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. It's a great book and Laura Hamilton does an amazing job narrating. She's great at changing her voice to fit each character and even the tone of her voice changes.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?

I love the entire book but my favorite part is when Margaret realizes Nancy is a fake and lied about her period. It shows Margaret has matured and had come to realize that Nancy isn't all she's cracked up to be.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I first heard this book on tape when I was about 10 years old. I loved it then (even though I wasn't entirely sure what was going on the whole story) and I still love it now. I've heard it over 100 times and still could listen to the story every night. It doesn't make me cry but I do laugh when I realize I was the same way at that age.

Any additional comments?

Great job Audible.com!

A great read for 12 yr old girls!!

I remember reading this story as a child and oh how I related to it!! My daughter has dyslexia so I bought this audible version for her, She loved it and has listened to it countless times.

love it! the narrator was awesome,and it was great

the storry was awewome , I think you guys should read it,and I bet you guys will really love it. The overall was good with good details.

Great classic

Still funny to this day. I read this book as a young woman and loved it. Reading it as an adult you have a different perspective. I still love it, and it was even funnier now. I would recommend to you teens.

Awesome is the best thing to say😇

I love this book it’s great.It has A great meaning to me.I’m glad I found it.😊😌

Always loved this classic!!

I've always loved this book, since the first time I read it, many years ago! It's timeless!!!