Forty-eight years after its publication, Judy Blume’s seminal young adult novel, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, is to be adapted for cinema.
Following many decades rejecting the advances of film producers, Blume tweeted in August that she was having meetings in Hollywood to discuss possible movie versions of her books, and invited readers’ opinions on which title would be best suited to the big screen. “I think the time has come,” she said.
Thanks to all for chiming in on my question about which titles of mine you’d like to see on screen. No deals are in place but It was a great week of talking about the possibilities. Promise I’ll let you know more when I do. I’m so grateful to all of you. Xo
— Judy Blume (@judyblume) August 4, 2018
The film will be adapted and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, whose similarly-themed coming-of-age drama The Edge of Seventeen won much acclaim in 2016. There is currently no word on cast or release date.
Blume, now 80, is the grande dame of American young adult fiction, having sold more than 85m books worldwide, and transformed the perceptions of countless teenage girls and boys about issues such as sex, underwear and menstruation.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret concerns a young girl in search of answers about puberty, the opposite sex, sanitary products and breast size. Speaking to Deadline, Fremon Craig said the story was “a rite of passage for women and girls” and that it was “rare for me to run into a woman or girl who hasn’t read it.
“Every time I’ve mentioned it to a woman, they clutch their heart and let out this joyful gasp. There’s something so timely and full of truth and I remember for me that at that age, it felt like a life-raft at a time when you’re lost and searching and unsure. This book comes along and tells you you’re not alone.
“Women remember where they were when they read it. I can’t think of another book you can say that about.”
