The Perks of Being a Wallflower

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Summary: My favorite book EVER...
Review: This is, by far, the book that has spoken to me the most of any I have ever read- and I read a lot. I'm an English teacher (9th grade), and originally read this in college to preview it for a YA Lit class... and have since read it another 5-6 times (at least). No, it isn't a flowery piece of classic literature, but anyone who has graduated from high school, or anyone younger who has had a hard life, can truly appreciate this book. I am not allowed to teach it in my classroom, even for upperclassmen, but would love to do so because Charlie's journey into self-awareness is stellar and poignant. It begins a little jumpy, but with good reason (Charlie is still figuring out the mechanics of good writing as he is only a freshman in high school). Almost every "minor" detail in the book backs up Chbosky's point that Charlie does not truly know himself well enough to BE himself.
A couple of side notes: my freshmen usually enjoy the book, but can't often identify with it and usually misunderstand the ending (they think Charlie OD's???). I think that most of them just haven't had enough experience in life to appreciate the book.
Anyone 11+ would probably enjoy it, but I would recommend 16+ to really "get it." One final thing: conservative parents beware... this book touches on every possible issue that teenagers face, so of course it has some controversial points in it. I know quite a few parents still don't want their children exposed to anything like that if they can help it, so be aware. That said, this book is truly honest portrayal of high school and I HIGHLY recommend it to everyone, and have. All of my closest friends, my teaching colleagues, and even my own parents have read it & loved it as well.

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Summary: A Poignant Read for Teens and Adults Alike!
Review: This poignant story of a teen boy trying to find his way in the world is a great read, that both teens and adults will enjoy. Charlie is a complex and well-developed character and the letters he writes to his mysterious "friend" convey the roller-coaster emotions of his freshman year in high school. The letters also explore events in Charlie's life before high school, including his best friend's suicide, his favorite aunt's turbulent life and untimely death in a car accident, and how he witnessed his father secretly crying during the finale of the TV series M*A*S*H, and how these events color his way of thinking about the world. Charlie often finds himself caught between taking action and standing back and being an observer, a "wallflower" in matters of friendship, love, and family relationships. The uncertainty of adolescence is brilliantly illustrated in this book through its earnest and genuine protagonist.