Margot and Me

Story

Set in the 1990s, Fliss moves to a remote part of Wales with her mum, who is recovering from cancer. They are staying with her formidable grandmother Margot. Fliss has a tough time adjusting to a new school and life on the farm, but when she finds her grandmother’s diary, she finds out much more about Margot’s life - it was full of adventure, passion and mystery. But will a terrible secret tear the family apart?

Why we chose it

A story about family, set in 1941 and 1998, centred on the relationship between a teenage granddaughter and her grandmother.

Where it came from

Juno Dawson drew on a number of things to write the book. The key focus is on the shifting role of women and the LGBT community in the 60 years or so. Margot is loosely based on both her grandmothers, though she says that she is a lot more fierce than they were. For Fliss, she was influenced by Cher from the film Clueless, who comes across as ditsy but is actually smart and naive.

Where it went next

The book was very well received, being described as moving and captivating. Juno Dawson’s books are one of the many more diverse voices in YA literature.

Associated stories

Juno Dawson is known for her dark teen thrillers, including Hollow Pike, Cruel Summer, Say Her Name and Under My Skin and for her Young Adult novels Clean, Meat Market and Wonderland.