The Perks of Being a Wallflower

* Bibliographic information
Chbosky, S. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Pocket Books, 1999. ISBN: 9780671027346

- YALSA Best Books for Young Adults: 2000
- YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers: 2000


* Plot Summary
This story is told through a series of letters written by Charlie to someone referred to as “friend”. Charlie is different from most 15-year-old boys; he sees things and thinks about them instead of being a part of them. He struggles with a sadness he does not understand. Throughout the story he worries about everyone else and holds their needs above his own, especially those of his friends Patrick and Sam. His English teacher worries about him and encourages him to participate in life rather than stand back and watch. He is called a Wallflower by Patrick because Charlie is always watching everyone else and thinking about what they are doing and why they are doing it. This is a coming of age book told through the eyes of a boy who is extremely special; he sees the details in everything and everyone then writes about them in letters to his “friend,” who understands and listens.


* Critical Evaluation
This is an important book for the genre. The author allows the reader to see the character’s true thoughts laid out in his letters. The events that take place in Charlie’s first year of highs school are very realistic and his reactions to these events are wonderful to read. I appreciate the honesty in the writing; a true high school experience. Many teens suffer from sadness and depression, the way the author has it as a sort of background to the character’s story is very interesting. Like most teens, Charlie does not understand why he is sad only that he is and that he has trouble controlling it. There are many books told through a teenager’s point of view, but by having the story conveyed through letters, readers get a real understanding of Charlie’s loneliness. Many parents will consider the subject matter too mature for their teen but in reality these are the situations they will face and in some cases take part in. Every young adult must decide for themselves when to stay and when to go but the issues in this book are real and parents should be aware of these possibilities so they can talk about them with their teens. The author has created a great novel for discussion.


* Reader’s Annotation
Have you ever wanted a friend who would just listen and understand? Well Charlie has, and he is writing to his “friend” about everything he sees in his first year of high school.


* Information about the author
Chbosky was raised in Pittsburgh but now lives in New York. He graduated from the University of Southern California’s Filmic Writing Program. He is a novelist, screenwriter and director of both film and television. He wrote the screenplay for the movie Rent and was the editor for a collection of short stories called Pieces. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is his first, and only novel (I was unable to find any novels that followed).


* Genre
Teen Fiction; Issues, Mental and Behavioral


* Curriculum Ties, if any
N/A
This book was listed on ALA’s 2006 and 2008 lists of the 10 most frequently challenged books and has been banned from numerous schools.


* Booktalking Ideas
1) Who do you think is the “friend” that Charlie writes to?
2) Talk about reasons why the author may have chose to do this book in letter form and why he chose to make the friend an anonymous character.
3) The author writes about many sensitive topics in the book, why do you think he discussed the events with Charlie and his Aunt Helen in such an indirect way?
4) Discuss the reason for Charlies sadness. He says at the end that he does not blame it on what happened with the Aunt. What do you think is going on with him and why?


* Reading Level/Interest Age
Grade 9 and Up / 14 and Up


* Challenge Issues and Defense
Challenge Issues: Sex, Drugs, Under Age Drinking, Abuse, Molestation, Suicide, and Abortion.

Defense Ideas:
1) Ask the patron about the book and issue in question and find out how much they know about the book.
2) Help the patron become more familiar with the book and its content.
3) Show the patron positive reviews for this book, such as ones found on amazon.com; School Library Journal, http://www.amazon.com/Perks-Being-Wallflower-Stephen-Chbosky/dp/0671027344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1260226087&sr=1-1.
4) If available, introduce the patron to people who have read it in the library or tell the patron what you thought of the book if you have read it.
5) Show the patron the collection development policy for that particular library. For example, the one for the San Diego County library, http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf
6) If they still want to file a grievance about the book begin the necessary paperwork by giving them the forms they need to fill out. In the San Diego County system, the grievance will then go to The Challenged Materials Team. If the committee cannot resolve the issue, it then goes to the County Library Director for a final decision. http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf


* Why did you include this book in your titles you selected?
I have heard how great this book is for years. When we got the assignment I knew it was finally time to pick it up and read it. I have seen it praised in articles and discussion boards; two librarians have also recommended it to me. After reading it I knew it had to be included on this blog because it is essential in a collection of YA novels. This book is true to many students’ high school experience. The character is not like most YA novel characters and maybe even not like most teens but he is like many. His voice is important because it is a voice of so many teens struggling to get through high school, especially the first year. I really like the format of letters because the reader can feel as if they are part of the story; we can assume the role of his “friend”.