Margot Mertz Takes It Down book review

Margot Mertz Takes It Down is a tale of female empowerment in the midst of the mess that is gender expectations and high school. With a tenacious main character and an infectious sense of justice, it’s a compelling read.

Review by: Steph Huddleston

Author: Carrie McCrossen & Ian McWethy

Genre: Teen and young adult contemporary fiction: social issues.

Publication date: November 9th 2021

Synopsis

Margot Mertz has a reputation in her high school for being a ‘fixer’. Provided there’s adequate compensation for her troubles, Margot Mertz will help anyone clean up their digital filth. But her reputation seems to have grown. When a fellow student hires her to clean up some leaked nudes – she wonders if maybe there are some jobs that are too big for one young woman.

When she discovers a secret revenge-porn site featuring girls from her high school Margot swears she will go to any lengths to get justice for these girls. Even if that means recruiting the popular but unaware Avery to give her an all-access pass to all the social groups of Roosevelt high. This case is going to be harder than any other she’s tackled. After all, Margot Mertz is a force to be reckoned with.

What we thought of Margot Mertz Takes It Down

Billeted as Veronica Mars meets Moxie, Margot Mertz is a fantastic character. Driven, intelligent and compassionate she holds herself to a high standard and has thrown herself into her work. Often at the expense of those dearest to her. It makes for an entertaining read and McCrossen and McWethy have portrayed her thoughtfully. She’s not perfect (but who really wants perfect characters? Not us). and she grows and develops throughout the book.

The book is fast-paced and the lengths Margot goes to in order to take down the site is entertaining. If you enjoy hijinks and mysteries, this is one that will keep you up late into the night.

The conversation around body autonomy and consensual photo sharing is extremely topical. Especially as teens today face more digital risks than any previous generation. On the surface, it could be easily dismissed as just some fun teen book. But that isn’t the case here, as the nuanced conversation provides readers with a lot to consider. The authors have gone to great lengths to provide a nuanced discussion and are to be commended for it.

Margot Mertz Takes It Down is perfect for?

Margot Mertz Takes It Down is a story of empowerment, non-judgemental of victims and insists on shining a spotlight on an issue that is too often ignored. Expect hilarity alongside nuanced conversation of social issues.

This book is appropriate for readers fourteen and over.

This book contains:

Descriptions of illegal activities, mild swearing, descriptions (not graphic) of images shared non-consensually, sexual assault.

Final thoughts

Looking for an entertaining read with a solid foundation of social justice? This one is worth checking out.

Pick up a copy of Margot Mertz Takes It Down in store or via our online bookshop.