Rating: 
Summary: Better than Catcher in the Rye
Review: Perhaps it is because I myself am a high school senior, but this novel about "Charlie," a high school freshman who befriends some seniors, really hit home. It is the story of his freshman year, filled with his hopes and fears, new experiences and new friends. I highly recommend this "coming of age" novel to anyone who wishes to relive their own high school years through Charlie, to those of us who identify with him, and to those who are curious about those four mysterious years after middle school and before college.
Rating:
Summary: A powerful work that keeps you thinking and reading
Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower was recommended to me by a few of my friends. On the back, it is compared to Catcher in the Rye. While it may deal with the same topic--a young person trying to understand the world--I felt the similarities end there. Perks is a magnificant book that I read in a single night. Charlie's simple, unassuming style (in both the writing and the plot) is intriguing and fascinating. He is called "a wallflower" because he sits quietly, observing life, like a wallflower. Yet through the many turns and twists this novel takes, we begin to learn the perks--and problems--of being a wallflower. In the end, Stephen Chbosky speaks to us about overcoming our past and living with the present, dealing with our lives moment by moment. This book will keep you turning the pages, but by the end it has done far more than simply entertain. Warning: this book does contain some material that may not be appropriate for younger children. However, I would hesitate to prevent a teenager from reading this; as one myself, I know that it resonated with my life and provided many interesting ideas.
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic book that will stay with you!
Review: A friend let me borrow this book after recommending it to me, and in turn I recommended it to my sister. This is the type of book that you will recommend and then that person will tell someone else and so on and so on. The book is first and foremost and interest look into this kids life that will make you think, laugh, and cry all all in the short time you will take to read it (it's a pageturner, but not like a court thriller might be, it's just fun to read). I would liken it to the S.E. Hinton books like "The Outsider" but, dare I say, much better. Some of the things he says will stay with you forever. I would not hesitate to recommend this in an instant, and it should be a must read for all high school students. I really want a second one to see what his sophomore year is like!
Rating:
Summary: The Perks of Being A Terrific Book
Review: I loved this book. I loved it for it's honest and realisticportrayal of teenage angst, and coming of age. I loved the way authorStephen Chbosky created a devise for his protagonist to tell hisstory. And I loved Charlie. His compassion, his confusion, his humor,his longing and his love. I'm disappointed the book has beenclassified as "Young Adult". I'm thirty three years old, andfound the characters and situations as identifiable as any characterclose to my own age if not more so. If the film rights to this haven'tbeen snapped up yet, someone ought to do their Producer boss afavor. If you were one of the fans of tv's "Freaks &Geeks" or enjoyed the movie, "Almost Famous", you'dprobably connect with this book the way so many people are. This isone to pass on to your friends.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW!! What a roller coaster ride through High School life.
Review: Man when I read this book, I bought copies for all my friends. Everyone loves it. It is the heartwarming and emotional story of a young boy who doesn't really "fit" in one real group, so he finds some friends and just lives his life. This book will make you laugh, cry, and flat out fall in love. You have to have it!
Rating:
Summary: Love it!
Review: I loved this book. I especially loved the references to the Smiths song ASLEEP. I love them! Anyway, this book made me laugh and cry-really! I loved it so much, I read the entire book in one night. I just couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: My New favorite book to recommend
Review: This first novel by MTV books has a sex, drugs, and rock flavor, but underneath is a depth and character and a serious story told with humor and honesty. Charlie enters high school a sensitive loner, dealing with the loss of two loved ones. A first year English teacher recognizes his intelligence and potential, and makes an effort to reach out to him, giving him special books and assignments. The mentor encourages him to participate in life. Charlie takes this message to heart and becomes friends with two seniors, who support and encourage him, and sometimes take advantage of his selfless nature. Charlie, who enjoys poetry and the Rocky Horror Picture Show, often goes along with the crowd just to see what happens, whether its smoking pot, kissing a gay male friend, or standing up in the back of a speeding pickup truck, music blaring. Like Last Days of Summer, Perks is an epistolary novel, told in letters that Charlie writes to "Dear Friend." The intended recipient is never disclosed, but the format allows Charlie to be completely honest and sincere. As a writer, he becomes a participant observer rather than just a wallflower as he relates the details of his experimentations and spiraling depression as his best friends prepare for college. The most beautiful thing about this novel is the perfectly captured poignant voice of this resilient and true young man. The climax is a shocker that will leave you short of breath. Freshman Charlie is reminiscent of observer Holden Caulfield from, with a dash less cynicism and money; fans of Catcher in the Rye will no doubt enjoy this first novel from Stephen Chbosky.
Rating:
Summary: simply...infinite.
Review: I, myself, am a freshman in high school. (I'm nowhere as cool as Charlie, but this isn't a place for that...) I've read this book a countless number of times, and whenever I finish it, I wish it could go on for another hundred or so pages. Chbosky's fine and involving writing draws you into Charlie's turbulent world- to the point where you feel that *you* could be the one in the front seat of the truck, when that special song comes on and makes you feel infinite. The Perks of Being a Wallflower takes you through Charlie's world- from starting off mourning the loss of his best friend, to his senior friends leaving for college, and all of the sex, drugs, and Rocky Horror that finds its way in the months between. Definately one of the finest pieces of literature to find its way into the 'young adult' genre in the past 10 years or so. Bottom line: read it. You will not be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: don't bother to fasten your heart, this book will rip it out
Review: This book is amazing. I read it for the first time in August of this year (2000), and have read it twice since then, it is now December of 2000. I am not sure if I felt a connection with this book mainly because I am going through exactly what he was describing, I am 15 and just started my first year of high school. Charlie is an incredible character. This book taught me to appreciate beauty, and just to take everything in and feel good about the peace of a wonderful song that makes you feel infinite, as the author wrote. I don't know know how to write a review to justify the power and effect this book had on me, I am a lot more compassionate and peaceful with myself and everything else since reading it, it's beautiful, I recommend it to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping, Shocking, Bravo!!
Review: 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower' was difficult to put down from the start. It was told, in the form of letters to an anonymous recipient, by high school freshman Charlie. Charlie is so innocent, almost to a fault. He had a cushy childhood, or so we are led to believe. Charlie falls in with Sam and Patrick, step-sister and brother, both upperclassmen. They introduce him to many things that most high school students can relate to. Everything seems to be going fine in Charlie's life; nonetheless he slips further and further into an unexplainable spell of melancholy. The ending of the book was so unexpected it gave me chills. It was as real as if it had happened to my best friend. This is a must-read for any age, a true masterpiece.
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