Fix Frida

by Sheila Holyer

"I was my bravest at two years old." This is Frida. At two years of age she wandered from her neglectful home into a frozen farmer's field dressed only in a diaper. Now, she is trying to navigate childhood and adolescence without the clarity she had at two, and it is proving to be difficult. She has Harold and Maggie, who adopted her at five years old. Most importantly, she has Sandra, her best friend who knows everything.

Growing up, Frida and Sandra explore friendship, family, school, work and relationships together. Their story unfolds in Toronto's neighbourhoods: North York to Yorkville, Leslieville to Roncesvalles. We follow Frida as she feels the tension between downtown and the suburbs, the impact of crime and racial profiling, the possibility of beauty and human connection.

The tragic events of one summer night change everything: Frida and Sandra are pulled apart. Will Frida manage without Sandra? Can she find the answers she needs in the bottom of a bottle? Or in a garden plot? What's it going to take to fix Frida?

238 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2023

Reviews

[Nia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fix Frida is a relatable tale of your troubling teenage years. You get to journey with Frida as she experiences the classic boy trouble, friend drama, and academic challenges compounded by a difficult past and troubled companions. You'll find yourself rooting for Frida and engaged in wondering what else could life possibly have in store for her, and how will she ever get through it.

[Eva Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I loved this book. Couldn’t put it down. Sheila is a great storyteller.