Charlie, like most stressed out, sad teenagers, is just trying to fit in. Eventually, Charlie finds his place amongst a group of misfit teenagers. Alongside Sam, the girl Charlie is in love with, Patrick, a gay teen who is fearless, and Mary Elizabeth, the girl that Charlie somehow finds himself dating, Charlie learns about taboo topics such as sex, drugs, and love.

The author, Stephen Chbosky, paints a vivid picture of how it feels to be a freshman in high school with anxiety and depression. Writing about such controversial topics is risky, but for Chbosky, it paid off big time. In media, whether it be books, movies, or TV, representation is important. This book not only has LGBT+ representation but also brings awareness to different mental disorders many teenagers suffer from today. Most kids grow up never learning about mental health issues and can feel like Charlie did: alone, confused, and scared.

Perks of Being a Wallflower is best compared as a modern-day Catcher in the Rye. As best said by Kate Pacvao, “Teens who love Catcher in the Rye will find this to be an excellent sequel of sorts.” In both books, we are experiencing the story through the writings of teenage boys with health issues. The audience is exposed to the hardships that mental disorders can put students through. Charlie has depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Exposing teenagers to a character who shares these illnesses with them can help said teenager feel like they belong.

Other than being an inside light on how teens with mental disorders can feel, the book had a wide variety of characters all with good character development. Sam starts out as a love interest for Charlie but soon gains her own spot for being a wild and free soul. As for Patrick, he is the “class clown” and courageous but later shows his emotions in unconventional ways. Charlie is innocent and naïve which Chbosky closely reflects in his writing style.

Overall, Perks of Being a Wallflower is a light read, around 200 pages, and is highly recommended for anyone going through hard times or feeling alone. “Charlie is inside every lonely teenager and every adult remembers him fondly,” says theguardian.com.

5/5 stars