Pause your Netflix viewing, a film is coming that will undoubtedly cause a rush of women - of all ages - to the cinema. Judy Blume has finally allowed her seminal novel Are You There God? It's Me Margaret, to be adapted for cinema.

Written in 1970, the coming of age book has been read by legions of young women and ranks as a favourite for many of them. Blume, 80, has turned down advances from Hollywood to adapt the book for the big screen for decades but in August she hinted that she might have changed her mind.

She tweeted: “So which of my books, kids and/or adult would you want to see adapted for series or movie? I ask because I’m in LA meeting with many talented people. I think the time has come.”

So which of my books, kids and/or adult would you want to see adapted for series or movie? I ask because I’m in LA meeting with many talented people. I think the time has come.

— Judy Blume (@judyblume) August 2, 2018

Since then it has been anounced that the film will be adapted by Kelly Freemon Craig, who also directed the critically acclaimed film The Edge Of Seventeen - also a coming of age story - starring Jewish actress Hailee Steinfeld.

According to reports, Blume personally requested Freemon Craig be involved in the Margaret adaptation, emailing her to say she hoped the film "would have the same tone and feeling that The Edge of Seventeen had.”

Fremon Craig told Deadline that the novel was “a rite of passage for women and girls”.

“Every time I’ve mentioned it to a woman, they clutch their heart and let out this joyful gasp. There’s something so timely and full of truth and I remember for me that at that age, it felt like a life-raft at a time when you’re lost and searching and unsure. This book comes along and tells you you’re not alone.

“Women remember where they were when they read it. I can’t think of another book you can say that about.”

"The name Judy Blume is synonymous with great young adult literature," said Buena Vista Motion Picture Group's [who bought the rites to the book] president Nina Jacobson in a statement. "Everyone discovers her books in fifth grade and grows up with her; she strikes a chord with humour and heart while never preaching."

Blume added: "We've all waited a long time for this moment and are excited by the possibilities."

Blume's novels have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide.