Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret

Overview

It is a coming-of-age novel about 11-year-old Margaret Simon, who is raised without a religious affiliation. Margaret moves with her family to a New Jersey suburb, where she feels uncomfortable with her lack of religious identity. She forms a secret club with her friends, where they discuss puberty, boys, and religion. Margaret struggles with her own puberty and religious identity while studying different religions for a school assignment. She experiences jealousy, guilt, and confusion over her feelings towards boys and religion.—Frank Liesenborgs