Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower Author: Stephen Chbosky
ISBN: 9780671027346 Pages: 213
Publisher: Pocket Books, New York, 1999
ISBN: 9780671027346 Pages: 213
Publisher: Pocket Books, New York, 1999
Readers Annotation:
Charlie is just starting high school after the untimely death of his best friend. As he's introduced to new friends, new teachers, and new experiences, he discovers much about himself that he never knew.
Charlie is just starting high school after the untimely death of his best friend. As he's introduced to new friends, new teachers, and new experiences, he discovers much about himself that he never knew.
Author Information:
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is Stephen Chbosky's first novel. Chbosky is known for his film The Four Corners of Nowhere, which won the Best Narrative Feature honors at the Chicago Underground Film Festival, and also premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He also authored the screenplay for the film adaptation of Rent, which was critically acclaimed, and created the television series Jericho.
Stephen was born in 1970, and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California's Screen Writing Program. Currently, Stephen is producing and has written the screenplay for The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and the movie is in pre-production. Chbosky now lives in Los Angeles, California.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Chbosky
The Perks of Being a Wallflower, is Stephen Chbosky's first novel. Chbosky is known for his film The Four Corners of Nowhere, which won the Best Narrative Feature honors at the Chicago Underground Film Festival, and also premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. He also authored the screenplay for the film adaptation of Rent, which was critically acclaimed, and created the television series Jericho.
Stephen was born in 1970, and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California's Screen Writing Program. Currently, Stephen is producing and has written the screenplay for The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and the movie is in pre-production. Chbosky now lives in Los Angeles, California.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Chbosky
Plot Summary:
Charlie begins high school immediately after the tragic death of his friend, Michael. Charlie tells his story through letters to an anonymous friend, revealing his inner-most thoughts. While looking for a friend, Charlie meets Patrick and Sam, step-siblings in the twelfth grade. The letters follows his love for Sam, his understanding of Patrick's homosexuality, and mixing in with their group of friends. Charlie also describes his family, telling us about his relationship with his older sister and brother, both of whom he loves, and both love him back. Additionally, the pain of Charlie's aunts' untimely death is a key emotion that he deals with in many of his letters. Charlie learns a lot about himself during the ninth grade, some aspects that he is happy about, and others that almost tear him apart.
Charlie begins high school immediately after the tragic death of his friend, Michael. Charlie tells his story through letters to an anonymous friend, revealing his inner-most thoughts. While looking for a friend, Charlie meets Patrick and Sam, step-siblings in the twelfth grade. The letters follows his love for Sam, his understanding of Patrick's homosexuality, and mixing in with their group of friends. Charlie also describes his family, telling us about his relationship with his older sister and brother, both of whom he loves, and both love him back. Additionally, the pain of Charlie's aunts' untimely death is a key emotion that he deals with in many of his letters. Charlie learns a lot about himself during the ninth grade, some aspects that he is happy about, and others that almost tear him apart.
Critical Evaluation:
This powerful book is masterly written, and tells the story of the male protagonist through his letter-writing to an unknown person. Charlie's narrative accurately captures the fluctuating emotions of a teenager, appealing directly to young adult readers. There is an added layer of angst from his depression, corresponding to the abuse he repressed from his past. One adult character in the book looks beyond Charlie's wallflower-like behavior, and taps into his intelligence. This relationship of acceptance and understanding is inspiring, especially to a wavering adolescent. Chbosky does not address many details in his writing, such as Charlie's last name, or the city he lives in. This direct and no frills style of writing allows the readers to be immersed in Charlie's life completely, joining him during his times of suffering and happiness. Both beautiful and painful, Charlie's story can be enjoyed by the young and the old.
This powerful book is masterly written, and tells the story of the male protagonist through his letter-writing to an unknown person. Charlie's narrative accurately captures the fluctuating emotions of a teenager, appealing directly to young adult readers. There is an added layer of angst from his depression, corresponding to the abuse he repressed from his past. One adult character in the book looks beyond Charlie's wallflower-like behavior, and taps into his intelligence. This relationship of acceptance and understanding is inspiring, especially to a wavering adolescent. Chbosky does not address many details in his writing, such as Charlie's last name, or the city he lives in. This direct and no frills style of writing allows the readers to be immersed in Charlie's life completely, joining him during his times of suffering and happiness. Both beautiful and painful, Charlie's story can be enjoyed by the young and the old.
Genre: Fiction, Coming of Age, Epistolary Novel
Curriculum Ties: English - Journal or Letter writing
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Charlie's best friend Michael commits suicide. Do you or anyone of your peers know of someone who has committed suicide?
2. Charlie loves Sam, a girl who does not return his affections immediately. Have you ever loved someone who has not loved you back?
1. Charlie's best friend Michael commits suicide. Do you or anyone of your peers know of someone who has committed suicide?
2. Charlie loves Sam, a girl who does not return his affections immediately. Have you ever loved someone who has not loved you back?
Reading Level/Interest Age: 15+
Challenge Issue: Molestation issues, Teen sexuality, Drug use, Homosexuality
- Part of YALSA's Outreach to Young Adults with Special Needs Committee list of 'Related Reading for Participating Teens' by The Great Stories CLUB
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy
- Part of YALSA's Outreach to Young Adults with Special Needs Committee list of 'Related Reading for Participating Teens' by The Great Stories CLUB
- Compilation of teen reviews, and the average reader reviews on Amazon.com and Goodreads.com
- Library policy
Why I chose this item: I discovered this to be a popular book among teens from class readings, and I felt a classic YA book like this would be great for my collection.
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