Are You There?

In 1970, eleven-year-old Margaret Simon learns from her parents, Barbara and Herb, that the family will be relocating from New York City to a New Jersey suburb. This news is overwhelming for Margaret as she is upset about leaving her friends and her beloved grandmother, Sylvia, behind.

After moving to New Jersey, Margaret befriends her neighbor Nancy Wheeler, who introduces her to two other girls, Gretchen Potter and Janie Loomis. Together, they form a tight-knit group exploring the transitions of adolescence.

In class, Margaret's teacher Mr. Benedict assigns a year-long research project that prompts discussions about religion. Margaret shares her unique background, noting that her mother is Christian and her father is Jewish, which leads to her struggle with her own religious identity.

Prompted by her school assignment, Margaret learns about her mother's estrangement from her religious parents, Paul and Mary. This revelation leads Margaret to question the complexities of her family dynamics and her identity within them.

During a weekend trip to New York City, Margaret asks her grandmother Sylvia to take her to temple. This experience becomes pivotal for Margaret as she begins to establish her own connections to her Jewish heritage.

Margaret and her friends eagerly discuss the milestones of puberty, including wearing bras and experiencing their first kisses. At a birthday party, Margaret shares a kiss with Philip Leroy, marking a significant moment in her coming-of-age journey.

After a class video about menstruation, the girls express excitement about starting their periods. Margaret becomes anxious as her friends, Gretchen and Nancy, begin their menstrual cycles before her, highlighting her feelings of impatience and inadequacy.

Assigned a project with Laura Danker, an ostracized classmate, Margaret inadvertently brings up hurtful rumors about Laura, causing her to leave in tears. This incident forces Margaret to confront her own complicity in bullying and examine her friendship with Nancy.

Margaret's plans to visit her grandmother in Florida for spring break are disrupted when her maternal grandparents, Paul and Mary, express a desire to meet her. Tension rises as Sylvia appears unexpectedly on the same day, leading to a heated discussion about Margaret's religious upbringing.

During a family dinner, Margaret's grandmother reveals that she took Margaret to temple, igniting a fierce argument regarding religion between her parents and grandparents. Feeling overwhelmed, Margaret asserts her indifference towards religion, declaring she does not believe in God.

Margaret submits her final research paper to Mr. Benedict, articulating her disillusionment with religion after navigating her family dynamics throughout the year. This step symbolizes her burgeoning understanding of her personal beliefs.

Following her moment of introspection, Margaret reconciles with her parents and her beloved grandmother, finding common ground despite their differences. This moment marks a significant step in her emotional growth and familial understanding.

At the end of the school year, Margaret expresses her gratitude to Mr. Benedict for his supportive teaching. She also cultivates a friendship with Laura, which shows her personal growth and evolving social dynamics.

Before leaving for summer camp, Margaret shares a moment with Nancy's older brother Evan's friend Moose, expressing her crush on him. They agree to connect when she returns home, symbolizing her newfound maturity and blossoming romances.

Upon returning home from camp, Margaret discovers that her first period has finally arrived. She excitedly shares this milestone with her mother, continuing her process of growth and her evolving relationship with her identity.