I consumed this book almost in one sitting. It was an exceedingly compelling account of a young girl navigating the modelling industry and dealing with the good sides and the bad sides. Jana's voice came across very strongly in the book. She may not have known what she wanted from life which is very common not just in teenagers, but she knew when something wasn't right.

I always find Juno Dawson's writing to be compelling and this was no exception. The casual diversity of the book was refreshing with many of the characters demonstrating acceptance and understanding of people from different background to their own. Yes there were characters in the book that experienced racism, homophobia or transphobia, but there were other characters there immediately defending them.

This is an important book for the times we live in. It shows how standing up for what is right and telling people what has happened to you can promote widespread change. It doesn't dismiss the efforts of people in the recent past who have tried and failed to do the same though. Change happens slowly, but it does happen. Based on real world events and examples, this book should be a must read for all teenagers as they begin to navigate the treacherous waters of adulthood.

An incredible book by activist Juno Dawson which confronts abuses within the modelling industry. This book is up-to-date and an excellent introduction to anyone who might be confused by (or even sceptical towards) the #MeToo movement. It does not glamorise the teen modelling industry, but highlights both good and bad. The protagonist is often lonely and exhausted, but her fame gives her the chance to use her voice to change the lives of women like her for the better. The characters show great solidarity when they 'should' be competing; they are constantly raising each other up and helping one another to promote their unique looks. The sex scenes are realistic, honest and decidedly un-pornographic. The 'everyday' pressured faced by the protagonist's college friends aren't down-played. I can't think of a single teenage topic left uncovered or handled poorly by Dawson. I would recommend this to every one of the students at my FE library without hesitation. ALL the stars!

As a huge fan of Juno Dawson, I really wanted to love this book, and for the most part it was a pacy and well thought-out story. However, the voices of Jana and her friends were so jarring - they used a lot of language clearly influenced by the queer community, and drag queens especially, but this just didn't parse with their characters (or the way their identities were written!). It felt forced, like the author was writing what she wanted to teenagers to say, not what they would actually say, and it was frankly irritating to read. That aside, the book has a strong timely message, and even though it isn't hugely original, it will hopefully speak to fans of Moxie and Juno's other novels.

I am completely blown away by this book. Juno has an incredible talent for telling difficult and raw stories that draw you in right from the first line. I loved Jana, as flighty and as sometimes immature as she could have been she has a lot of strength and a very good heart. I'm not totally sure I ship her and Ferdy together, but I did appreciate her relationship with him.

In a time of the #MeToo movement, this book is important, timely, and an absolute must read. It will turn your stomach at times, will make you laugh and cry, and you'll be hooked from the first page. The ending is also fantastic, and is one of my favourite tropes in books.

The only thing I did fault with this book was that sometimes Jana's London slang ("I ain't know that though" etc) was a little grinding at times. Other than that, I was in from the first time I met Jana.

I started this book last night and spent most of my afternoon today finishing it. It was utterly absorbing. I loved it, and in the light of the Me Too movement and the Harvey Weinstein case I think it's a timely and important book, particularly because it is written in such a compelling way. I also love the fact that it shines a light on what women do to their bodies in order to try and live up to an impossible image of what they should be and how punishing this is. I say all this and make it sound like the book is didactic and worthy, but that's not it at all. It's relatable and easy to read as well as packing a real punch. I thought Clean was good. This is better.

Juno Dawson is an author whose books I always look out for. She writes insightful, relevant YA fiction which is always funny, clever and a little bit dark, and Meat Market definitely ticks those boxes. The pop culture references are spot on, the story is well researched and fascinating. In this, our protagonist is a teenage girl who is scouted and becomes a model. The book exposes some of the awful murky side of the fashion world as well as the glamorous elements. Juno Dawson tackles sexual assault and harassment with aplomb and especially in this area the book feels very relevant, not just to models but to every woman or girl reading.

Where it falls short is in Jana’s voice - her south London slang doesn’t feel authentic. The only real change in language is saying “don’t” instead of “doesn’t” and it just doesn’t quite work.

There was also a slightly problematic representation of sex workers throughout, and I’m not sure if this is meant to be Jana’s opinion or the authors but it doesn’t feel fully fleshed out to me. The whole meat market analogy appears to be equating models with sex workers and that is portrayed as a universally terrible thing. I understand and appreciate that to an extent especially when it comes to people (men) feeling entitled to women’s bodies but there are one or two quite upsetting quotes.

On the whole though, I thought this was a great book which is depressingly relevant for our times.

(Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book for review purposes)

5 Word Review: Fashion, pressure, family, friendship, #MeToo.
5 More Words: Strength, abuse, life, change, justice.

Content Warnings: eating disorder, transphobia, sexual assault, body shaming, coercion.

When I read Clean last year I thought it was glorious. But when I read Meat Market this year I thought it was sublime. Holy shit, Juno Dawson has done it again. And dare I say it? Meat Market was even better than Clean (which was one of my top reads last year) and I am struggling with how to even begin to review it. So forgive the rambling ahead.

I could not put the book down, I was so caught up in Jana's story. And Jana. Oh, my precious Jana. I cared so bloody much for her. It hurt to read her cracking, breaking, shrinking. But goodness me, she is amazing. I felt like I cracked a little with her at times, I felt violated with her, I felt as invisible as she did despite the billboards, but I also felt the elation of doing something, the high of the catwalk. I felt like I was right there with Jana.

The writing is breathtaking. At times it was like reading poetry, there were so many lines where I just stopped and reread it again and again, read it aloud, listened to how it flowed. It's just so gorgeously crafted. I liked the mix of medias in the story, the references to a piece of trash journalist that had me cackling even as I rolled my eyes at the misogyny she spewed.

And yet, Meat Market is such an ugly story. It's so beautiful that it almost hurts to read, and the story itself is so ugly and harsh that at times I didn't want to read on. Meat Market hits right in the feels, it gets right into the heart of you. It's dark and gut-wrenching, but also uplifting and powerful. It made my heart sing, even as it filled me with dread and brought tears to my eyes.

Juno's caustic take-down of the fashion industry, and everything that is wrong with it, is amazing. It's gritty and raw and excruciatingly honest. But it's not just the bad bits cherry picked for drama - Meat Market also shows the good bits, the friendships and highs and the moments that sparkle.

And there was so much swearing and god, I loved it.
Swear Count:
Fuck 194
Shit 92
Bitch 36
Cunt 10

I really love what Juno has done with the ending of Meat Market. It could have been so different, but just like with Clean it circles back on itself a little and offers a bit of hope. A story that was so dark and scary still holds a glimmer of hope.

The first book I read by the author was 'Hollow Pike' in a book club my daughters attended many tears ago, and I liked the natural, engaging and atmospheric way it was written. Since then I have become a school librarian as well as a mother, and read a number of her books, including the previous one on addiction (many sorts of addiction are included) 'Clean', which I thought was her best to date, but now I have to say that it is this one!

At the end of the book she states how this one was a a challenge. I think that the research shows, but iy's more impressive the way that someone in their 30's can write a book where the characters are mostly teenagers and sound spot on in the language, current (retro!) music trends and interests they share.

Trying to avoid spoilers, it deals with a number of current issues from the point of view of a girl whose parents came to the UK from Serbia and live a normal family life in an estate in South London: the attitude of people within the industry, exploitation, relationships, drugs, education, glamour and in the end of the book a strong message about what can be achieved.

It's an important book, one which any young person considering the fashion industry should read, and one which I thoroughly enjoyed!

I

Meat Market is an important book for our times and a captivating read. With a narrative that brings the reader up close and personal to all that is happening for Jana on her rollercoaster ride as she makes it big in the fashion industry, Dawson drags readers to the heart of a situation and we have no option but to follow, despite how awful it is.
Thank you to Quercus Children’s books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel.

I can’t believe that this is the first Juno Dawson book I’ve read. I’ve been missing out! I spent a long time after finishing this still thinking about it. It’s not a world I’ve ever thought about, but this raw insight into the modelling world is a sobering one. Jana is a character you love from the start, she’s so honest & just a nice person, but you find yourself rooting for her so much as things start to spiral, hoping that she’ll find a way out of it all. This book is so timely and I think it’s going to be an important read.

I know this is one that I’m going to be recommending in the shop (in fact I already have been, telling people to keep an eye out for it when it’s released), & I’m now going to go & read everything else Juno has written!

Jana Novak. For ages, known as the tall one that people thought could be a guy. Then she’s discovered at a theme park, and launched into the fashion industry.
Not simply told she has potential, she is seventeen and in the big time. She’s the name everyone wants.
We follow Jana through her first experiences, and really get under her skin. Slowly, we pick up warning signs that this industry is not quite as good a thing as people believe.
I wasn’t particularly interested in the fashion stuff, but really enjoyed reading Jana’s story - even the awful bits that just make you recoil at the way so many are complicit in some awful things.
Dawson creates a compelling character, and certainly picked an opportune time to explore some of these ideas.
Thank you to NetGalley for letting me read this prior to publication.

Meat Market definitely sits in the darker (and older) end of YA fiction. It tells the story of Jana, a 16 year old girl, who is scouted by a model agency and finds herself hurled into a world of castings, catwalks and parties. However, modelling isn’t quite as glamorous as it may seem on the surface and Jana soon finds herself somewhat out of her depth.
This is an absolutely gripping read and I raced through it in a day, anxious to find out what would happen to Jana. The use of voice feels spot on and I really did feel like I was listening to a teenager tell her on story. This did mean that it felt authentic but also meant that certain scenes were actually really difficult to read as this made it all the more real. The novel feels very of its time, with its reflections of the #metoo movement and has a great message for teenagers.

Jana, an ordinary (but tall and willowy) 17 year old, has just started sixth form college with her gang of friends and boyfriend. One day she is stopped by someone who offers her the chance to become a model. Nothing had been further from her mind - until the prospect of earning a bit of money and experiencing a different world beckons. Soon, the little bit of modelling turn into a hectic whirl with promises of travel and a bit more earning capacity than Jana had first imagined. But with the glamour of designer clothes names comes the dark side of the industry and Jana experiences the pressures of needing to be super skinny, the late hours of castings, shoots and the obligation to show up at parties when all she wants to do is go to bed. Then there are the drugs and the photographers who think it their right to be rather friendlier to the models than the models would like. But these big names call the shots. This is a story that resonates with today's world of #MeToo, of fast fashion exploitation of workers and what good people can do when they say STOP. If this says to young people - beware - think twice about what you are letting yourself in for, it will have had its influence.
Dawson moves us swiftly into the mind of Jana, and the reader experiences her exhaustion, shock and shame with her. A quick, well written read which will appeal to many young teens.

The world of fashion and supermodels is always portrayed as a glamorous, whiter than white one for young girls to aspire to be a part of but scratch the surface and you'll find the dirt just waiting to spill out. The dark side of becoming a model are certainly well portrayed in Meat Market, it's raw, blunt and a compelling read and it explains well how seductive and completely ruthless the industry can be. The subject matter is shocking and is very pertinent in the wake of #metoo. Not an easy read, distressing in parts and definitely YA but you will be glued to the pages.

A dark, unflinching but utterly compelling journey into the murky but seductive world of fashion with a glittering array of authentic, beautiful characters & sensitive handling of topical themes. Very readable & frighteningly believable. Superb!

This is an important and viscerally realistic book that captures – and provides solid reasons for – the fears and instabilities surrounding the #MeToo movement and today’s fashion industry. Jana’s voice is one of the most authentic renderings of teen speech and thought processes that I have read, and her gutsy nature and streetwise smarts make her a positive role model. Dawson skilfully shows the grit that tarnishes the perceived glamour of modelling – even trips to New York, Tokyo and Dubai are not immune, and it’s refreshing to read about the underside of the Insta industry, without the glitter. The book does contain some triggering material relating to eating disorders, body image and sexual harassment, but Jana is the best mouthpiece for raising awareness around these issues.
Fans of Juno's gritty Clean – about drug abuse and rehabilitation – will not be disappointed. It is highly topical too – the book refers to the working conditions of garment workers in Bangladesh for (thinly-veiled) high street chains.

Meat Market is the read of 2019!
I've read all of Juno's work since 2014 and I'd just arrived in London. I'd been given news that an amazing up and coming author who loved Point Horror just as much as me was going to be a contestant on a literary radio game show. Juno was the first published author I'd ever met and the experience was AMAZING.
I can't deny that Juno's back catalogue represents a talent I've not seen elsewhere in a long time. However, even then, there was just something about Juno's books that didn't match the person I'd met.
Then came Clean and I realised what it was. Juno had yet to give her full self to her books, Hell, everything before Clean is flawlessly written and I adore Say Her Name (It's my favourite non PH EVER), but Clean was real. There was no holding back and it's what made it the success it was.
I'm not going to lie, I didn't think Juno could do better. Not because of any limitations, but because I didn't think anyone could craft something better than Clean.

Then I got two chapters into Meat Market and I realised just quite how wrong I was. What hit me first was that voice. It was a carefully crafted, fully engaging and lyrically beautiful voice that Jana was given. I've never wanted to be a model (I'm 5'5 and a hippo in human skin. Seriously, I often think there's a hidden zipper back there and a Slitheen is going to come farting its way out), so I was half expecting this to be a surface read for me, but I was full invested before we even left Thorpe Park.

The story pulls no punches and you get an itchy sense of foreboding very early on, but you do fall under the same spell as Jana and you are convinced that things aren't as bad as they seem. Until they really, truly, fucking are and as a reader, you'll be gasping for air and begging your stomach to keep calm.
It mirrors the time so aptly, so cleverly, that Juno Dawson will forever be the woman that has done for modelling, vulnerable young girls using YA literature what Shonda Rhymes has done for women, people of colour and politics within the realms of TV.
Meat Market is not a book you go into to enjoy, there are elements that make that a side effect. No, you read Meat Market to become an educated, informed and empowered individual regardless of gender. This is a book that makes you feel uncomfortable, demands you sit up and evaluate the systems that society have allowed to exist for too long. Dawson dares you to understand that there are no excuses left, that there's nowhere predators should be allowed to hide and, most importantly, that no one should ever accept being shut down or silenced when it comes to the #metoo movement.

We often talk about how Handmaid's Tale is a groundbreaking story that is still relevant today. It would be so easy to compare Meat Market to Atwood's dystopian future, but it would do Juno Dawson a disservice. What Dawson has done is groundbreaking in its own merit.