LIONSGATE

Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. In theaters. LIONSGATE

Judy Blume’s classic coming-of-age novel gets a film adaptation. Abby Ryder Fortson stars as white tween Margaret opposite Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates.

READ-ALIKES

Real Friends by Shannon Hale. illus. by LeUyen Pham. First Second. 2017.
Gr 3-6 –White middle child Shannon deals with the ups and downs of friendships in this graphic novel memoir set in the 1970s. Readers who enjoy the film’s 1970s vibe and storylines about making new friends should check out this thoughtful book.

Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan. Salaam Reads. 2017.
Gr 4-6 –Eleven-year-old Pakistani American Amina explores her Muslim faith while figuring out changing friendships in this moving coming-of-age novel. This poignant story about a tween finding her place in the world will appeal to readers who like character-driven fiction.

P.S. I Miss You by Jen Petro-Roy. Feiwel & Friends. 2018.
Gr 4-7 –Evie, a white 11-year-old, questions her Catholic faith as she secretly writes letters to her teenage sister. When Evie starts to develop feelings for another girl in her class, she longs for her sister’s advice as she wonders what her religious parents would do if they knew. A touching middle grade story.

The Moon Within by Aida Salazar. Scholastic. 2019.
Gr 4-8 –As Mexican American Celi, 11, approaches puberty, her mother plans to throw her a “moon ceremony” to celebrate her first period, much to Celi’s mortification. As Celi navigates her own changing body, her best friend is figuring out their gender fluidity. This sensitive novel in verse will please readers looking for more stories of girls navigating puberty’s changes.

Abby Johnson is the collection development leader at the Floyd County Library in New Albany, IN.