Comments on: Lizzie Skurnick on “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret” http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536 Reading, Writing, Movies and Mothering in Minneapolis, Mostly Mon, 11 May 2026 21:54:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Alice@Supratentorial http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536&cpage=1#comment-27103 Alice@Supratentorial Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:07:37 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536#comment-27103 I've found the discussion on Margaret really interesting. I read it for this challenge also and had a more simple reaction. I enjoyed it and felt like I was revisiting my old self (the me that read Margaret). But I do agree that it's more of a book to read as an adult for nostalgic reasons than for really enjoying it as an adult. I think the difference is that Margaret is so much about a particular time in life and the issues that surround that time. It's impossible to read without seeing from the hindsight that it will all be ok. Yes, Nancy might not be a great friend but you know Margaret will go on to have other better friends that really get her. Yes, getting you period is a big thing for the first time but soon it will just become routine, even for Margaret. I would contrast that with books for kids or young adults that are about issues that aren't as specific to a certain time in life. You could almost imagine Claudia or Harriet as an adult (not quite but almost) struggling with some of the same issues. I’ve found the discussion on Margaret really interesting. I read it for this challenge also and had a more simple reaction. I enjoyed it and felt like I was revisiting my old self (the me that read Margaret). But I do agree that it’s more of a book to read as an adult for nostalgic reasons than for really enjoying it as an adult.

I think the difference is that Margaret is so much about a particular time in life and the issues that surround that time. It’s impossible to read without seeing from the hindsight that it will all be ok. Yes, Nancy might not be a great friend but you know Margaret will go on to have other better friends that really get her. Yes, getting you period is a big thing for the first time but soon it will just become routine, even for Margaret.

I would contrast that with books for kids or young adults that are about issues that aren’t as specific to a certain time in life. You could almost imagine Claudia or Harriet as an adult (not quite but almost) struggling with some of the same issues.

]]> By: Amy http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536&cpage=1#comment-27079 Amy Wed, 20 Jun 2012 21:15:17 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536#comment-27079 Who you callin' mean??? I'm also finding it interesting to read books like these while simultaneously reading more current YA, like Godless. Who you callin’ mean???

I’m also finding it interesting to read books like these while simultaneously reading more current YA, like Godless.

]]> By: girldetective http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536&cpage=1#comment-27076 girldetective Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:56:12 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536#comment-27076 As you know, there's a lot of disagreement about whether Harriet is a good book, for adults OR children. (My current theory: the Harriet lovers have meaner streaks than the dislikers.) I think it also can be phrased as what is the difference between a story one reads for nostalgia's sake, and one that still has something to give, all these years later. As you know, there’s a lot of disagreement about whether Harriet is a good book, for adults OR children. (My current theory: the Harriet lovers have meaner streaks than the dislikers.) I think it also can be phrased as what is the difference between a story one reads for nostalgia’s sake, and one that still has something to give, all these years later.

]]> By: Amy http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536&cpage=1#comment-27075 Amy Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:53:36 +0000 http://www.girldetective.net/?p=4536#comment-27075 Well, you know my opinion already. :-) But this raises the question of: has the author transcended the genre? Why is Harriet a good book for adults (and Mixed-Up Files, among others) and this one not? Well, you know my opinion already. :-) But this raises the question of: has the author transcended the genre? Why is Harriet a good book for adults (and Mixed-Up Files, among others) and this one not?

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