Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Pocket Books, 1999. 213 p. PBK $14.00 ISBN 978-0671027346
SUMMARY: "Charlie, a freshman in high school, explores the dilemmas of growing up through a collection of letters he sends to an unknown receiver."
RISKS: Description of date rape, depictions of substance abuse, descriptions of sexual activity, homosexuality, abortion, vulgar language, sexual abuse
EVALUATION: While I wouldn't recommend this book to everyone, primarily because of its gritty elements, I loved it and think it is brilliant. Charlie's voice is constantly authentic and amazingly thoughtful. I might call it a mix between Catcher in the Rye and Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. Charlie is like Holden in his candor and like Christopher in his guilelessness.
READER'S ANNOTATION: I don't have to come up with one since my assignment it done and my class is over and I don't like writing these anyways!
TOPICS: depression; anxiety; friendship; post traumatic stress; sexual abuse; substance abuse; homosexuality; sex & sexuality; dating; letters; high schools;
AWARDS: Tennessee: Volunteer State Book Award Nominees, 2004; ALA Popular Paperbacks, 2002; Kentucky: Bluegrass Award Nominees, 2002; Texas: Tayshas Reading List, 2002; ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 2000
Ages 14 & up
I loved this also. I read it several years ago when my sister was taking a YA lit class. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to read this for a book club, but the girls in my ward would FREAK OUT if there was any of those gritty things you mentioned.
ReplyDeleteSo sad that being Mormon means you have to stay completely innocent. Do they have baby ears?
ha ha you go Bev, I wouldn't either if I was done with class, are you going to continue your book blog?
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