The Most Iconic Covers Of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret

We must, we must, we must increase our bust! Amazon That first cover... by Jen McGuire April 26, 2023

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret came out more than 50 years ago, and Judy Blume had us hooked from jump. Finally a book talking about periods and bras and hormonal urges. All hidden behind the most innocent looking cover so adults wouldn’t know. Genius.

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The original cover from 1970 sees Margaret Simon standing in front of her suburban house with a Mona Lisa-esque smile on her face. The artwork tells us nothing, and that was just how we wanted it back then. No adults allowed to know our business. Open Library

The 1981 cover is more wistful. Perhaps because the book had been passed around for 11 years and kids were getting attached. Margaret stares out a window in her knee socks and striped shirt, presumably counting the hours until she gets her period. Open Library

By 1990, we’re seeing a cheekier version of Margaret Simon on the cover. She’s doing the classic chin on her fists pose beloved by children photographers everywhere but also she is smirking. Just a little. Atta girl. Abe Books

Margaret is a young ‘90s queen in this 1993 cover. She’s wearing a bright colored sweater and, for the first time ever, a watch. We can only hope it’s a Swatch watch. Also she has bangs and there’s the all important telephone, rotary with a twirly cord, drawn in beside her. Thrift Books

Margaret gets a psychadelic cover in the later ‘90s, all colorful the way people used to decorate their school binders with stickers and markers. Highly approve. Women's Fiction Prize

This cover from the early ‘00s feels like it’s from the ‘80s. Margaret has a barrette holding back her bangs, the writing of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret looks a bit old-timey. There are wistful clouds behind her. It’s quite dreamy. Good Reads

This cover from 1986 gives early beach read vibes. You can just picture a preteen throwing this into her striped beach bag to go lay on the sand with her friends and pretend to be adult women. Amazon

In 1991, Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret came out with the kind of cover that really spoke to a preteen longing to be effortlessly cool. A pair of bare feet propped up against a railing, toes painted pink. Exactly what Margaret and Janie and Gretchen would love. Biblio

By 2020, it looks like Margaret and God are such besties that they’re on a text chain together. At least according to this new cover. To be fair, Margaret is texting God and waiting for an answer, which I’ll tell you I don’t love. Indigo

The newest cover of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret looks to be a still from the movie. Margaret leans down to adjust her shoe as the words curl around her. Judy Blume must have approved. Simon & Schuster

After 50 years of waiting, Judy Blume finally approved a film version of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret, coming to theaters on April 28. All of these covers feel like stepping stones to the big screen, and we’ve loved every step of the way.

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