Common Sense offers a lot of detailed information, including reviews by parents, educators and kids -- who rate the book appropriate for ages six and up. Out of 30 possible mature content points, "Margaret" earns only six -- two for lying characters, four for "Mentions of Playboy, kissing, menstruation, bras, [and] emerging sexuality," stated in Salon.com

According to Salon.com, "Young adult author Meg Cabot wrote on her blog,

"If your parents were looking to buy this book for you now, and they clicked on Common Sense Media's review of it, they might be scared away from buying it for you entirely. Because taken out of context, the warning that 'Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' contains 'Playboy, kissing, menstruation, bras, and emerging sexuality' makes this wonderful, beloved book about a sixth grader who does nothing racier than stuff her bra with cotton balls and worry about disappointing her family sound like it's about -- well, Playboy, kissing, menstruation, bras, and emerging sexuality!"

I thought "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret' was a great book especially when you are starting to understand your body and you have questions about faith and how boys and peer pressure play a part in your life. I feel that young adults now face way more "pressing" things in society besides the "introduction of puberty" many are playing "mom and dad" to siblings and experiencing a lot more in life then they did back then.

And Publisher's Weekly reports that even Liz Perle, cofounder and editor-in-chief of Common Sense, thinks the truncated reviews are problematic. This is, she says "the first time we had any kind of pushback. I think it has to do with the way it's been implemented on the Barnes & Noble Web site. So, I think people are rightly confused."

My Thoughts...

Judy Blume was a pivotal part of my childhood, plus I had the honor to meet her as a kid being a super nerd and competing in Battle of the Book Competitions! lol Every adventure, food for thought, and funny line in her books contributed to the well-rounded individual that I am today, please B&N and Common Sense change the rating system on your websites, so that a new generation of children will be able to learn and journey through her mind like I did!

To Read more, Check out Salon.com

To read more, Check out Publisher's Weekly, click here.