We are going back a ways here, but I re-read this book just after seeing the new movie remake. I recalled reading this book when I was growing up, but it wasn’t a childhood favourite -- all I remembered was the “I must increase my bust!” scene. After seeing the movie, I was curious as to why I hadn’t liked the book more. I was not raised practicing any religion, and this naturally grew into athiesm as I grew up. However, in the 90s, one was not just an atheist, and I do recall struggling with this gap in my life, such as when promising “to be true to my god/faith” in Girl Guides (fun fact: girl guides is now fully agnostic with no references to religion in the organization!),  in much the same way Margaret does. 

Then I read the book and I kind of see why maybe it didn’t strike a chord with me. In the same way that not practicing a religion seemed unusual in the 90s, it was even more so when this book was written, and while the topic itself is progressive, the rest of the book is a measure of its time. The mothers are flat and stereotyped, and the ending happens with Margaret getting her first period, and with many of the the rest of the book’s conflicts left unaddressed

The movie, on the other hand, made necessary plot adjustments that bring the story into the 2020s without feeling anachronistic for the 1970s setting. The ending of the movie is satisfying, with Margaret making friends with the class outcast and leaving mean-girl Nancy behind, and her mother having her own career. Blume has apparently stated the movie is better, and I agree! I’d happily re-watch it, but would leave this book on the shelf.