While the narrative of Framed relates a series of misunderstandings and misadventures surrounding a valuable missing ring, the primary theme of the novel is friendship, specifically, the essential nature of trustworthy friends. Gordon Korman has chosen the ideal age group and selection of characters to communicate the value of friendship. Griffin and his posse are all 12-year-olds entering middle school. This is the age when young people firmly shift their allegiances from their parents to their friends and base their self-esteem on how their peers accept them. Tweens coalesce into social groups where they feel comfortable, groups that provide acceptance, reflection, and correction. Korman wants to express that there are subtle truths and values behind these friendships that real-world adults, just like the adults in the narrative, may overlook.

One benefit of being in a group of close friends is everyone’s willingness and ability to rescue one another in a crisis. In the opening scene, Griffin loses his expensive new retainer in a muddy field where hundreds of students are doing calisthenics. Two friends standing close by stop their own exercises to help him search for the appliance in the muck. When he is accused of stealing the Super Bowl ring, Griffin’s friends never waver in their belief of his innocence.