Eleven-year-old Dol lives in a constant state of impermanence and unpredictability with an adolescent sister, Star, and a mentally unstable mother, Marigold. She therefore loves the idea of her mum's tattoos lasting forever. Marigold has accumulated a body full of them to record the most joyous mo ments and to celebrate the most special people in her life. It's a fix for her, though; she inks when she's manic but drinks when she's low. Pretending can be a fun and protective form of escape from this "yo-yo" (233) for Dol, until a crisis forces her to have to "suss out what's real" (168). 2006 USBBY-CBC Outstanding International Books List. bef

Originally published by Doubleday Great Britain, in 1999.

Covered from head to toe with one-of-a-kind tattoos, Marigold is the brightest, most beautiful mother in the world. At least, that’s what Dolphin thinks—she just wishes Marigold wouldn’t stay out quite so late or have mood spells every now and again. Dolphin’s older sister, Star, loves Marigold too, but she’s tired of looking after her. So when Star’s dad shows up out of the blue and offers to let the girls stay with him, Star jumps at the opportunity. But Dolphin can’t bear to leave Marigold alone. Now it’s just the two of them, and Dolphin is about to be in over her head. . . .