11-year-old Margaret (Abby Ryder Fortson) navigates puberty, religion and New Jersey (among other forms of knitwear) in this new adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic period drama.

A groundbreaking novel in 1970, it is surprising a screen version arrived so late. Maybe it took Eighth Grade‘s experimental cut-through to make its girl’s-eye view more palatable for the Hollywood mainstream. And though it lacks Bo Burnham’s bleeding-edge vulnerability, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret still feels fresh for giving voice to characters usually relegated to the role of annoying younger sister.

Margaret comes of age in a world of suburban warmth and gentle wit, untouched by the horror of social media or anything particularly bad taking place. Or rather the many bad things that occur are those that happen to most girls, giving the film a universality and relatability that transcends decades and state boundaries. Not only does our hero have to leave New York for New Jersey, she is quickly subjected to misremembered rules on womanhood dictated by her neighbour (Elle Graham).

The arbitrary hierarchies and high school politics are as if Mean Girls had a great lead performance (or a good one for that matter), and this time Rachel McAdams is playing the mum. Forston carries the movie impressively, alongside the brilliant Kathy Bates and a wonderful McAdams lending the picture a cross-generational charm that’s more Little Women than Gilmore Girls.

Director Kelly Fremon Craig doesn’t waste a single moment and keeps the comedy coming, even as the drama descends into a fight for Margaret’s soul. Her uncanny stagings of children’s birthday parties or blistering fashion choices have the sting of truth, without veering into gratuitously cringey territory. The comedy is compassionate, highlighting the confusing absurdity of adolescence with an almost Peanuts-style existentialism. Heart-warming and taboo-busting, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret proves good things are worth the wait.