The Perks of Being a Wallflower

By Stephen Chbosky

"I hate you."

My sister said it different than she said it to my dad. She meant it with me. She really did.

"I love you," was all I could say in return.

"You're a freak, you know that? Everyone says so. They always have."

"I'm trying not to be."

- from The Perks of Being a Wallflower

What's it about?: This is the story of Charlie, a high school freshman who feels quite out of place in his new environment. He's timid and unassuming and somewhat of an old soul. Throughout the course of the book, he encounters many of the common problems teenagers face, and we learn of his struggles to overcome them through the clever narrative use of letters he writes to an unknown recipient. Added to Charlie's adolescent quandaries and questions are the emotional battles he endures while attempting to come to grips with his best friend's suicide, his own depression and the revelation of a family secret.

Why your child should read it: First, with the narrative comprised of Charlie's letters the honesty and emotion laced throughout is even more affecting. It can be easy to forget that this is a work of fiction rather than the personal correspondence of a confused and somewhat heartbroken boy. But the other important detail about this book is that Charlie is an relatable character. Any teenager, especially one preparing to enter high school for the first time, will no doubt understand Charlie's pain, ask the same questions of the world around them and, possibly, discover some of the answers they're searching for.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower