Are+You+There+God,+It's+Me,+Margaret

// Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. // is a 1970 book by Judy Blume "Going from 11 to 12 brings big changes to Margaret Simon's life. First there's an unwanted move to the suburbs. At a time when she is losing some of her sense of closeness to her parents, Margaret has to deal with new friends, teachers, religious identity, and puberty. Searching for someone to talk to, Margaret initiates a heartfelt dialogue with God to disucss this mixed-up, growing-up time of her life."
 * ** Book: Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.  **

Taken from p.10 of //100 Books for Girls to Grow On// Dodson, S. (1998). //100 Books for girls to grow on.// Harper Collins: New York, New York ISBN 0-06-095718-2 || This was initially not on our book list but on the first evening when the girls separated from the mothers to make their Barbie cake, the adults said that they wanted to read this book again as it had been a favourite from their own childhood. They also wanted to open up the discussion about menstruation and puberty. =Ice-breaker / Name Game= Each attendee had to choose some M&M’s from a dish. They could chose as many as they wanted and whatever colour they wanted. On a chart were the rules of the sharing: RED - Tell us about a part you liked about the book ORANGE- Tell the group about an embarassing moment BROWN - What is your favorite hobby? BLUE - Does this book remind you about anything in your own life? YELLOW- Tell us about a part of the book you didn't like. GREEN - Wild color- choose one of these questions to answer =Following that, we introduced our guest – Debbie MacCormack, public health nurse= Discussion Questions: 1. What are some of the challenges associated with moving to a new place? Has anyone ever moved? 2. Why does Margaret not want to get too far behind her friends in getting a bra and starting her period? 3. Let's talk about Margaret's friends. 4. What is Margaret's teacher like? Would you have liked him for a teacher? 5. Mothers: Did you read this book when you were younger? How did it read this time?

Public Health Nurse discussed: 1. Growing up - awareness of body 2. Being different? 3. Growing up too fast- appropriate dress?

Activity was foregone this night as guest speaker was present.

**Snack:**
Deli meats as Margaret's grandmother brought some from the city when she came to visit. keilbossa, pepperoni, cheese and crackers. Girls came to plate the food and further discuss things without their mothers present. Some concerns voiced: "What if it happens at school and you have a male teacher?" " Why do boys have it so easy?" " It sounds horrendous to get your period!!"