Margaret is twelve years old, and just moved from New York City to Farbrook, New Jersey. When she lived in New Jersey, no one questioned the fact that she was "no religion", and she had yet to be engulfed in the throes of prepubescent drama. But when Margaret moves, EVERYTHING CHANGES! She makes friends with three other girls, who spend their entire lives agonizing over boys, boobs, religion, and getting their periods. All in all, quality reading that I loved when I was younger, and still (yes, I'll admit it) love today.
However, the more absurd points of this book escaped me when I was younger. For example...
* How is it possible that Margaret NEVER got questioned about her religion when she lived in NYC? I just find it hard to believe that no one ever asked her if she went to Sunday School before. Apparently everyone in NJ is pretty obsessed with finding out what religion everyone else practices.
* Nancy won't let members of her club wear socks. That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard! What kind of club is anti-
socks?!
* Laura Danker is the token well developed girl in the sixth grade class. Word on the street is that she "goes behind the A&P" with Nancy's brother and his friend Moose. Now I am willing to bet a lot of money that no characters in this book have any idea what goes on behind the A&P. In fact, I am willing to admit that I still do not know what you would do behind the A&P! I mean, I've heard of fooling around at the movies, parties, cars, playgrounds, empty classrooms. Hell, every once in awhile we catch kids making out in the library. I just can't buy the fact that in suburban NJ, the best place to sneak off and fool around is in some back alley or near the dumpster at the A&P. Isn't an A&P a convenience store of some sort? I still just don't understand.
* Speaking of Laura Danker, why does having boobs mean you are a slut? I had boobs well before I should have, but I'll be damned if any prepubescent boys were going to be touching them! Nancy seriously needs to get a life, because I am pretty sure it is her spreading all these rumors. I bet Nancy would go behind the A&P before Laura would.
* Mavis is really not a sensational name. but as I write this, I'm hoping no one named Mavis reads this. It's not a bad name, I just wouldn't choose it if I could pick any name in the world. But I also wouldn't choose Veronica, Kimberly, or Alexandra, either.
* We must, we must, we must increase our bust! nuff said.
* Why would someone's boobs look particularly large while wearing a sweater?
* The PTA runs a square dance for Margaret's class. I can't believe that a bunch of sixth graders were willing to go along with having a square dance!
* Norman Fishbein, the class creep, has a supper party. From what I understand, his mom has the entire class over for supper, tells them all to wear their best clothing, and then serves them sandwiches, hot dogs, and beans. Isn't that picnic
food rather than formal dress fancy food?
* Margaret stuffed her bra!
* All the sixth grade girls have to go to a class about getting their period presented by the "Private Lady Company", which is supposed to be like Kotex or Always. "Private Lady" sounds more like some creepy porn shop or strip club to me.
* Since when do drugstores make home deliveries of "Teenage Softies" pads, or anything else for that matter?
* Nancy lied about getting her period, and then is humiliated when her secret is blown in front of Margaret. If I were Margaret I probably would have told everyone. That's what you get for being a catty liar, bitch!
* Page 116: Confirmation that no one knows what happens behind the A&P, and that Nancy is indeed a liar. Poor Laura Danker, I'd have kicked Margaret's ass.
Finally, the most important thing about rereading a newer edition of this book:
Judy Blume finally got rid of the belted menstrual pads! I remember reading this when I was little and having no clue what a belt had to do with your period. Thanks to Google images, I now know. Thank god I was not alive during the belted pad phase, because I'm pretty sure I would have been traumatized. Below is a menstrual belt ad from the 1960's.
Margaret and Janie still buy pads for practice, before they get their periods. This isn't so necessary now because sticky strips are pretty intuitive, but I think it's hilarious that Margaret locked herself in the closet to practice standing there wearing a pad. I am just so happy that Judy finally realized that young girls should no longer be terrified and confused by the idea of a belted pad! That alone made this worth rereading.
That's about it for this book, but I think I'm going to read Deenie or Then Again, Maybe I Won't next. I was originally going to read Forever, but I think I'm going to hold off on that one because it is so fantastic. I am totally reliving my childhood through Judy Blume and loving every second of it!
