Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

When Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret was initially published in 1970, the story quickly came under fire for its discussion of religion and the idea that young people might be able to choose their own religious path instead of following in the footsteps of their parents. Margaret is introduced as a child with no religious upbringing, although she knows that her parents were raised with two different faiths: Christianity and Judaism. Margaret’s parents have decided that she will choose her religion when she’s old enough, but as she enters her 11th year of life, Margaret finds herself drawn to the world of religion and religious denominations. She quickly learns that her choice will not be an easy one, and throughout the novel, Blume demonstrates how the concept of religion can be both fulfilling as well as divisive.

When Margaret meets Nancy and the other girls in Farbrook, she explains that she doesn’t attend Sunday school or Hebrew school. The girls are amazed and point out that religion is a huge part of life in Farbrook. After all, “if [Margaret] [isn’t] any religion, how [is] [she] going to know if [she] should join the Y or the Jewish Community Center?” (40).