The Perks of Being a Wallflower

Title: The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Author: Stephen Chbosky
Published: Feb. 1999
ISBN: 0-671-02734-4
Price: 14.00
Pages: 213
Genre: realistic fiction, LGBTQ
Plot Summary: Charlie narrates the story through letters addressed to Dear Friend. Charlie is an introvert about to enter his freshman year of high school. He feels very much alone since his best friend committed suicide only a few months earlier. Charlie soon makes friends with Sam and her step-brother Patrick. They introduce Charlie to sex, drugs and the Rocky Horror Picture Show and bring Charlie into their circle of friends. Charlie starts to fall for Sam but Charlie is afraid to take a chance. Charlie is also struggling with his own personal demons. His mental health is slipping and Charlie seems to be struggling even more with the death of his aunt. The book deals with Charlie struggling to find happiness and deal with the demons of his past. Charlie can't seem to step off the sidelines and really live his life.
Critical Review: Since the book is told in letters from Charlie is feels very personal, as if Charlie is expressing his hidden feelings and thoughts. Charlie deals with a lot of heavy issues in his letters, from depression, anxiety, sexuality, drugs, sexual abuse and his struggle to find out who he is. But the story never feels dragged down by these issues due to the characters in Charlie's life. Sam and Patrick are wonderful characters who despite their own faults and struggles support Charlie and help pull him out of his shell. While Charlie is not gay, Patrick is and his struggle with dating a football player who is still in the closet is a well told story. Charlie watches Patrick as he deals with rejection and the fallout from Brad's dad finding out. The scene in which Charlie stands up for Patrick is one of my favorites because I think it really shows that Charlie is no longer a passive observer but rather he is an active participant. This is very much a coming of age story with complex characters and an engaging plot line.
Reader Annotation: Charlie has always been a wallflower, living life on the outskirts. But Charlie can't escape reality forever.
Main Themes: suicide, sexual abuse, LGBTQ, coming of age, love, friendships
Book Talking Ideas: The book talk should be done in letter form, perhaps a letter from Charlie like in the book. There is something very personal about a letter that reader's will gravitate towards.
Issues: The book deals with lots of hot button topics: sex, drugs, homosexuality, sexual abuse and it contains swearing. Patrick is involved in a gay relationship with a closeted teen football player. Charlie was sexually abused by his aunt when he was very young. He feels that he is responsible some how for her death because she was died in a car accident while trying to get his birthday present.
Bibliotheraputic Usefulness: Charlie is a loner who was sexual abused and struggles with his mental health. The story brings up some difficult issues that teens may face. The story also shows Patrick's struggle with being in a gay relationship with a closet teen. Teens will connect with Charlie as he grows and tries to deal with his issues.
Read Alikes: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell

Author Website: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Stephen-Chbosky/1843916
Professional Reviews: Kirkus Reviews
Publisher's Weekly
Why choose this book? This book handles difficult issues of suicide, sexual assault, mental illness and friendship. The story has become very popular due to the recent release of the movie based of the book.