Bright and talented Addison Stone is a rising star in the New York art world. By the time she's 18, she's living on her own in New York City--where she dies under mysterious circumstances. To unravel the mystery of Addison's death, Adele Griffin structures the novel as a series of interviews with and photographs of Addison's friends, family and colleagues. The resulting work resembles an in-depth article one might read in the New Yorker, and is just as compelling.
Through this layering of e-mails, text messages and interviews, readers realize some of Addison's supporters are thrilled with her opportunity, but many, including close friends from home, grow concerned that Addison is spiraling out of control. Although her talent rapidly becomes legendary, so do her antics. Addison fights a constant battle to balance her medication--which she feels inhibits her--with her productivity. Despite one or two caring friends and mentors, Addison has very few healthy relationships. Her journey to the top of the New York art scene illuminates the world of fame, where the motives of agents, art dealers, patrons and groupies are questionable. As Addison struggles between creativity and sanity, readers will likely sense what's coming and wonder if anyone will step in.
Griffin creates a compelling fictional biography in which Addison's cause of death ultimately remains unresolved. Was she pushed? Did she jump? Was it an accident? Regardless of the answer, one thing is certain: Addison was a flame who burned too brightly, whose madness fed her art and ultimately consumed her. --Cathy Berner, children's and YA specialist, Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, Texas