Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret Tackles The Taboo Of Tweendom

Teen movies are one of the most beloved genres, from John Hughes' Molly Ringwald trilogy to the quest for virginity loss with the help of a warm, apple pie. But there's another part of adolescence that often gets lost on the big screen — especially for women. There are very few stories about the tween years: an uncomfortable and confusing time when you're unsure if you should still sleep with stuffed animals or start stuffing your bra. It involves the uncertainty of puberty, peer pressure, and oppressive school rules. I have so many memories from this formative time period burned into my brain; like the time a boy said I was gross or how desperately I wanted to look like the silky-haired popular girls. 

Because of this gap in tween representation on screen, "girls are expected to go straight from 'Doc McStuffins' to 'Euphoria,'" Rachel Shukert shrewdly observed in Vulture. That's why the latest release of "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" feels like a breath of fresh air. Kelly Fremon Craig brings Judy Blume's famous story to life about an 11-year-old girl who moves to the New Jersey suburbs and deals with the relatable anxieties of getting her first period, starting to wear a bra, and having crushes.

In his /Film review, Josh Spiegel calls the adaptation "so calmly brilliant, so intelligent, and patient, and knowing. This is the first great film of the new year." Personally, I believe it's destined to become a future classic alongside "My Girl" and "Now & Then." Fremon Craig's euphoric depiction of girlhood deftly weaves between sweet, humorous vignettes and honest drama. "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" approaches tween life with maturity and grace. Yet sadly, many find this controversial.

When "Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret" was published in 1970, it was banned in many libraries including Judy Blume's children's school. Unfortunately, book banning is not a thing of the past. In 2022, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed law HB 1467 which allows parents to protest what books are available to students in classrooms and school libraries. These books often address issues such as racial history, body autonomy, and LGBTQ+ identity. Another ridiculous Florida legislation, House Bill 1069 aka the "Don't Say Period" bill, wants to prohibit the classroom discussion of menstruation before sixth grade. 

All of this reminds me of the pearl-clutching surrounding "Turning Red" about a girl who transforms into a giant, hairy panda whenever she experiences a big emotion — an obvious metaphor for puberty. Parents were horrified that — GASP! — menstrual pads are briefly shown on-screen. Fremon Craig's "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" has a more direct portrayal of periods. We see the awkward moments when Margaret purchases a box of pads from a male cashier and tries to walk while wearing one for the first time. 

We also see why it's important to be open with children about menstruation. Nancy Wheeler's mom does nothing to soothe her daughter when she first gets her period, just quickly gives her a pad. Nancy is left crying and scared because she has no understanding of her own body. 

Why are we so afraid to tell children about a natural body function that millions experience? There are girls as young as eight who start their periods. Tweens should not be left in the dark or ashamed of something that is as normal as breathing. It's refreshing to see films showcase this significant part of tweenhood with such honesty. 

"Turning Red" also offers a message we need to hear about the strength of young girls' desires. Many parents disliked Mei's obsession with her crush who she repeatedly draws as a merman. The anime-style influences heighten the feverish intensity of Mei's attraction: the close-ups of her wide, glistening eyes, waterfall tears, and her hungry, excited giggles. Mei actively ogles her crush and the boy band 4*Town in a dramatic and fanatical way. 

Although their infatuations are a bit more subdued, it's similar to how Margaret and her group of friends excitedly share their list of crushes at their secret club meetings. Fremon Craig breezes between scenes of the girls excitedly gushing about their classmate Phillip Leroy and the hushed anticipation of playing "Spin the Bottle" and "Two Minutes in the Closet." In one humorous scene, Margaret sets herself up on a lawn chair to "read a book" while secretly watching her crush Moose Freed mow the lawn. 

Girls can be just as wild, weird, and enthusiastic about their crushes as guys are. I used to fantasize about Spider-Man rescuing me while wearing skimpy Limited Too pajamas. When you're a tween, your emotions surrounding crushes and romance run high. Unattainable celebrities or popular kids are often the objects of affection. Whether or not a person likes you back feels like a life-or-death situation. It's exciting to see films like "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" and "Turning Red" embrace the quirky and amorous side of girlhood.

While there are popular tween shows on Disney and Nickelodeon such as "Bunk'd" and "That Girl Lay Lay," they are silly and wholesome. Unfortunately, the more nuanced tween shows keep getting canceled. 

Netflix shut down "The Baby-Sitter's Club," a sweet modernization of the plucky girls with a passion for serving their community and developing financial and business skills. They also face genuine conflicts such as divorce and juvenile diabetes. Netflix also canceled "Julie and the Phantoms" after one season. Although the show boasts glittery rock and roll numbers, it also touches on a young girl's grief and loss of motivation to play music. "Anne with an E" is another tragic cancellation by Netflix. The show digs into Anne's abusive upbringing, making it clear that "Anne's endless imagination and enthusiasm for life are coping mechanisms, a means of keeping disturbing memories away." 

"Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" doesn't shy away from deeper issues, either. Margaret is conflicted about her religious identity, torn between her Jewish and Christian sides of the family. Fremon Craig's adaptation reminds us how important tween stories are. Being a tween is difficult. I remember being so worried about what everyone thought about me, especially boys and the popular kids. I wanted to look and be a certain way so that I could be accepted and seen as "cool." 

By suppressing media that confront this challenging time with honesty, we are robbing future generations of knowledge about their own bodies, identities, and the world around them. Society's hand-wringing about age-appropriate content is absurd. Tweens deserve more stories about complex, real-life subjects that allow them to be as wonderfully silly, self-conscious, and unpredictable as possible.