For the teen grappling with self-discovery amidst external pressures, this story explores finding your authentic voice and standing up for what's right, even when it's hard.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is struggling to find their voice in a high-pressure environment where they feel something is 'off'. 'Unscripted' follows Zelda, a high schooler thrilled to join a prestigious improv comedy troupe, only to discover its charismatic leader fosters a toxic, sexist culture. The book explores themes of self-confidence, justice, and the power of friendship in standing up to abuse. Appropriate for older teens, it is a powerful tool for discussing gaslighting, grooming, and the importance of speaking out. It models how to challenge injustice, even when it means risking something you love.
A sweet, supportive romantic subplot develops. Some kissing.
Substance ReferencesMild
Brief scene depicting underage drinking at a party.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with sexism, misogyny, gaslighting, and grooming behavior in a secular, extracurricular setting. The approach is realistic, not metaphorical. The resolution is hopeful and empowering: the characters succeed in holding the abuser accountable, but the narrative also acknowledges the significant personal and social cost of speaking out.
Ideal Reader
A teen (15-18) who is passionate about a creative or competitive activity (like theater, sports, or debate) and is beginning to navigate complex power dynamics with older students or adult mentors. It is perfect for a reader who has witnessed or experienced sexism and is looking for the language and courage to name it and fight back.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for conversations about systemic sexism, workplace harassment, grooming, and gaslighting. The book is an excellent, accessible entry point to these #MeToo-era topics. It can be read cold, but discussing it afterward is crucial for helping a teen process the themes and apply them to their own life. No specific pages require previewing. A parent hears their teen expressing vague discomfort about a coach, teacher, or older student: saying they are 'creepy,' 'unfair,' or that they make them feel weird. The parent might notice their teen's passion for an activity dimming or being replaced by anxiety after a specific person gets involved.
Age Experience
A younger teen (14-15) will likely connect with the strong friendship themes and see the story as one of standing up to a powerful bully. An older teen (16-18) will grasp the more nuanced social commentary about institutional power, complicity, the mechanics of gaslighting, and the bravery required to be a whistleblower in a community you love.
What Makes It Special
This book's use of the improv comedy world as its setting is unique. It masterfully uses the central rule of improv, 'Yes, and...', as a metaphor for both how toxic cultures perpetuate themselves through complicity and how collective action can build a new, better reality. It makes abstract concepts of systemic sexism concrete and relatable.
Read plot summary
Zelda Rossi is ecstatic to be accepted into an elite high school improv troupe, the Unscripted, led by the charming and talented Ben. Her dream quickly sours as she discovers a pervasive culture of misogyny, where female performers are given sexist rules and sidelined. Zelda uncovers a pattern of emotional manipulation and grooming by Ben. She must decide whether to stay silent to protect her place in the troupe or to band together with the other girls to expose the truth and risk everything.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The improv rule 'Yes, and...' is central to the story. How do Ben and the boys' club use this rule to control people? How does Zelda eventually use it to empower herself and others?
2
Zelda initially idolizes Ben. What were some of the early red flags she noticed but dismissed? Why do you think it was hard for her and others to see his behavior for what it was at first?
3
Discuss the different reactions of the female troupe members (like Zelda, Jess, and Liv) when they realize what's happening. Why do some characters hesitate to speak up? What does this story say about the risks of whistleblowing?
4
Zelda's friend, Harper, is a crucial support system outside of the troupe. In what ways does her perspective help Zelda? Why is it important to have friends outside of a single, intense environment like the Unscripted?
