Rating: 
Summary: Everyone has to read this book
Review: This is my favorite book of all time. I think most people can relate to different parts of the book. Like when he first starts high school and all of his friends have changed and he doesn't really know anyone. Almost everyone I know has had a very similar experience to that. I read this book over and over again but I never get bored. I think every teen should read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: What's a Wallflower?
Review: I found this book's cover what my design and technology teacher would comment as 'aesthetically pleasing'. A nice fresh cover of grassy green that I could almost smell! But something else had also caught my attention, it's title. And the first thing that came to mind came in the form of a question: "What is a wallflower?"I had an idea it must not be anything too glorious for the title included the word 'perks' and did not fail to suggest 'a wallflower' is something that lacks anything good in the first place. So I did what any rational person would do and looked it up in my Oxford study dictionary. I didn't expect to find the word deep down, it sounded new and 'slangish' but I found it on page 783. But I'm not very logical or rational to be honest with you. I actually read the book before looking up the word. I suppose I hoped the book might explain its title better than a dictionary but we all know that not many books explain their titles. They just base themselves around the titles. And this book wasn't much different to my great and satisfactory relief, when I finally realised that if it had then it would have been one very boring book. Charlie is your average 'Adrian Mole' except he's just a little more of a 'Charlie' than he is 'Adrian'. And of course very intelligent (that's what his English teacher said, he got straight A's all through the year he wrote the letters so I really don't have anything to say to the fact I didn't feel he was completely interllectual). This book is about "Growing Up" and goes on for a year whilst lacking two days. At fifteen years old, Charlie has few friends, generally close family members and a painful past of losing his closest friend: Aunt Helen. Basically, Charlie just has a life. That is until he gets into high school. After Aunt Helen died on his seventh birthday he probably didn't think anything worse could happen. He was right, nothing worse happened. A catch though, things happened that were just as bad. His friend Michael, commits suicide and Susan who was a friend too decides to become popular. The lights go out and Charlie is alone. But he meets new friends older than him and grabs his English teacher's attention. His family has their crisis' and become closer and everything that seemed as if it was going to make things worse make life better. He falls in love, he breaks hearts, he breaks his own and he starts to understand and learn how to be a true friend. That he must give as much as he is giving now but also speak for himself and have a voice, that he decides later is a true friend. And he realises that his life from the moment of Michael's death or maybe even earlier from the moment of his Aunt's death had become one of those very old and slow, ancient records. By the last letter he sends he throws away the record and starts living again. This is the clearest pocket encyclopedia of high school divided into four parts and decorated with a soothing epilogue. Maybe it's because I read ANTHEM by AYN RAND before this book but Mr. Chbosky's book seemed almost relaxing. I felt I was reading from a regular diary belonging to a friend and as time passed I felt that I was reading real letters. By the end of the book Charlie becomes a true human being in reality. And yet you don't grow too fond of him that by the time you finish you feel that empty surge of lonliness cover you steadily. But if you do as I did then Charlie writes something at the end that relaxes you. Relaxes you because he assures you he'll be OK and that he'll make it through in one piece and make living worth it and most of all that he knows you will too. And somehow you know he's right-because he's Charlie. Oh..by the way, I looked it up and this is what it said: wallflower n.1 a garden plant blooming in spring, with clusters of fragrant flowers. 2 (informal) a woman sitting out dances for lack of partners. but I didn't bother to ask anyone for the real meaning that I was looking for. I already knew it without the book having to explain it to me. I had Charlie explain it to me instead. Of course I didn't really need one, I don't think you will either. [[[please remember to read the excerpts listed to the sidebar, it'll help loads]]]
Rating: 
Summary: I've read some great new YA books, but this isn't one of the
Review: A dull and sophomoric novel with few surprises and little insight. I was glad to reach the very unsurprising conclusion. If you want a terrific, authentic novel set in high school, get Speak, Hard Love, or Rats Saw God. Perks of Being a Wallflower is dull.
Rating:
Summary: The best book I've ever read...
Review: Even though it was the last one too. This book made me really think about life a little bit differently. It's not fake and the characters are all people we can relate to. I've read almost all of the MTV pocket books and they're great, but they don't compare to this moving comming of age book about a boy going through life and dealing with his many problems.
Rating:
Summary: A voice for the majority of shy high school students.
Review: I think this novel is the most inspirational book that I have read as a teenager. I first read this book a couple of years ago, and I think it made me focus on all of the better aspects in my life. And now that I have read it again, I have come to realize that it has influenced me in ways that I was not even aware of. The way the author writes, he word choice, his flow. All of these aspects have influenced me, as a writer as well. I could only hope that my first novel helps young adults as well as Chbosky's has helped me. Thanks!
Rating:
Summary: seriously---and honestly-- you'll never find a better book
Review: This is about a kid who has a rough life--- but deals with it through his friends and teachers and a whole bunch of other people-anyway-this book is a LITTLE depressing-- but it's totally worth reading-its honest and funny and deep--and just the best book-i dont really have a big vocab --so theres not a lot more i can really say about it thats not repeating what i already said but-if youre questioning buying it--just buy it--- its TOTALLY worth it--i know i sound like--messed up---sry-lol ill stop now--- just buy the book-- :)
Rating: 
Summary: An "Alterna-Teen Coming Of Age" Diary novel
Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky is a fast and easy Diary style novel. Charlie writes letters to an anonymous friend. His letters are about his life: school and teachers, friends and family, sex, drugs, rock and roll. I suppose we are supposed to be moved by the things he writes, but I have to say, I never felt much for any of the characters in this story, as they were very flat. It was an entertaining, "read it in one night" book, but don't expect much more than that.
Rating:
Summary: A Moving Adventure
Review: I'm in the middle of reading this book right now-- but I couldn't resist sharing my thoughts before I finished it. This book is beautiful in the way that few books are. Simple and perfect, and heart-achey in a completely non Readers Digest way. Changing, which in my mind is the best praise you can give a book.
Rating:
Summary: Painful and True
Review: I, too, felt moved after reading The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and agree that almost any adolescent would be able to connect somehow to Charlie, the book's freshman protagonist. However, I'm a bit puzzled that so many reviewers have neglected to bring up the fact that Charlie is ill. Sure, he has all the normal teenage doubts and yearnings, but they're multiplied by the fact that he's not mentally stable. I don't want to give any of the book away, but I will say that throughout the letters to his friend, Charlie reveals more and more disturbing information about his background. So, although this IS quite a good book, and, as many have said, comparable to A Catcher in the Rye, I would warn readers to keep at the back of their minds that Charlie is not your average 15 year old boy. Having said that, I praise Mr. Chbosky for writing a book that's so true and raw, a book that all adolescents and anyone who's ever been an adolescent can relate to. A poignant read.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderfully written, leaves you speachless
Review: My friend lent me this book to read after she told me she loved it. I'm so glad I made her give it to me!! This book was written wonderfully, very different from most other books I have read. The letter form and the anonymous place and names made it easy just to focus on the details of the story. I think Charlie's emotions were very honestly displayed and his letters reveal intimate details that Chbosky made very real! At the end of this book I had nothing to say. I cried. And realized it was probably the best book I've ever read!
| 
