Girl, Unframed by Deb Caletti
Published by Simon Pulse on June 23, 2020
ISBN: 1534426973
Pages: 357
Genres: Mystery, Realistic Fiction
Format: Chapter Book Fiction
Goodreads

Sydney is leaving her comfortable existence with her friends and her grandmother to stay with her moviestar mother for the summer in  San Francisco.  Her mother, Lila, is more like the child when they’re together, and Sydney loves her but can’t handle the stress.  As usual, Lila’s got a new boyfriend, and he seems like trouble.  It’s clear from page one that something has gone very wrong, as evidence logs appear at the start of each chapter.  Sydney is weaving the tale of what happened for the reader.  You find out right at the end what exactly happened.  The themes of this book are very much the burgeoning sexuality of a sixteen-year-old as well as the problematic male gaze.  Sydney struggles with these as she navigates a nearby construction site and a new boy in her life, as well as her mother’s boyfriend.  It also features domestic abuse and illegal activities.  The end wraps up fairly quickly and it’s not necessarily a happy one for Sydney.  There’s also a mis-fire with an impending sense of doom from Sydney that is incredibly awkward and doesn’t connect to the storyline well.  Overall, it’s another fair entry from Caletti and will be loved by her fans.  Recommended for ages 15+.

Reviewed by Kara Reiman