Margot Mertz for the Win

In this thought-provoking sequel to Margot Mertz Takes it Down, high school senior, Margot, embarks on a mission to reinvent herself.

It’s senior year. And Margot’s on a mission to be a better Margot. Which means saying goodbye to her old cleanup ways—and their inherent moral ambiguities—and saying hello to . . . more yoga, maybe? (Probably not; Margot hates exercise.)

To fill her time and round out her college application, Margot volunteers for Shep Green’s state senate campaign and, in a twist, finds she actually enjoys being part of a team. She loves her new boss/mentor, Priya. And of course it doesn’t hurt that the candidate is Avery Green’s dad. Yes, Avery and Margot are just friends, but it’s still nice to see his too perfect face from time to time.

Meanwhile, at Roosevelt High, Margot finds herself roped into a second election, this one for student body president. Melanie Davis, a sweet and slightly awkward overachiever, is running against a privileged and problematic popular boy. Needless to say, Margot is Team Melanie.

With Margot rocking both campaigns and maybe even making friends, it seems like she’s well on her way to being a better person. But when Priya asks her to look into an anonymous email threatening Shep Green, one that could potentially torpedo his entire election, Margot finds herself slipping back into her old habits.

She’s tried to keep her hands clean. But politics is a dirty job.