When it arrived in 1970, there was no coming-of-age book quite like Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret. One of Judy Blume’s most controversial novels because of its exploration of female puberty, the book follows a sixth grader who deals with her stress by frequently praying to God. Though Margaret is decidedly not affiliated with any religion, she’s desperate for answers about the various problems in her life. Chief among them: she’s anxious about not yet getting her period. Margaret’s quest to fit in and grow up is uncomfortable, joyful and timeless, and plays out in a tender narrative that never takes itself too seriously. It’s a seminal text that has taught generations of young people about the inner workings of growing up, and it remains funny to boot. Never shall we forget Blume’s famous refrain: “We must—we must—we must increase our bust!” —Annabel Gutterman
Buy Now: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret on Bookshop | Amazon
- Why Cell Phone Reception Is Getting Worse
- The Dirty Secrets of Alternative Plastics
- Israeli Family Celebrates Release of Hostage Grandmother
- We Should Get Paid for Our Online Data: Column
- The COP28 Outcomes Business Leaders Are Watching For
- The 100 Must-Read Books of 2023
- The Top 100 Photos of 2023
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time