The Perks of Being a Wallflower, written by Stephen Chbosky is the story of a young boy named Charlie. The story follows Charlie through his first year of high school as Charlie himself is writing letters to a “friend” he chose out of the phone book to talk to.

The novel begins as 15 year-old Charlie introduces himself to his new “friend” he will be writing throughout his freshman year. He begins to write to this person he has never met, simply because he is a shy, young boy, nervous about going into high school. Charlie has no friends, in fact his only friend was Michael but he had committed suicide prior to the beginning of school and Charlie was left with no one. Charlie sufferers of depression, it is never said but one can realize it by the things he goes through. “It’s like all I can do is keep writing this gibberish to keep from breaking apart.” He began feeling “sad” frequently when his Aunt Helen passed away and then worse when michael died. Charlie has a brother and a sister, and his mom and dad, a family he cannot rely on to be there for him. After some time, Charlie meets Sam, and Patrick. They are brother and sister and soon become great friends of Charlies. Sam and Patrick are seniors and welcome Charlie into their group of friends with open arms. Charlie soon gains feelings for Sam, but believes he has no chance with her. Mary Elizabeth, Craig, and others Charlie soon becomes friends with, thanks to Sam and Patrick, all become great friends and introduce Charlie to the High School world. They take him to parties, get him involved, and although Charlie starts to do drugs, and drink he has the time of his life as he says “[they] are infinite”. Charlie and his friends have some ups and downs, breakups and makeups but always stick around for each other until the year is over. The seniors graduate and things become “bad again” for Charlie. He goes through very serious depression but eventually remains okay.

Personally, this has become a favorite book. The life Charlie lives in the novel many can relate to in High School. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a book I highly recommend to read, especially to kids in high school suffering of depression or personal problems. Things end up being okay for Charlie, and he gives motivation to the reader that throughout all the problems he faces he ends up being okay just like anyone can be eventually. The book is really both enjoyable, and interesting and I say this because as a teenager that can relate to many of the things Charlie faces, reading this novel opened my eyes and showed me that things happen to everyone all the time, especially young adults. The Perks of Being a Wallflower is an amazing book and recommended from me, to everyone. ?