Oracle Online

He is sensitive, quiet, and mostly keeps to himself. Just prior to entering high school, he learns that his best friend, Michael, has killed himself. The death of Michael soon causes Charlie’s group of friends to break up and change dramatically.

Charlie appears to be the most unaffected by the death, dry-eyed at Michael’s funeral, simply wondering why his friend took his own life.

He chooses to deal with his grief by writing letters, which define the unique format of the book.

Nearly every day, Charlie writes a letter ambiguously addressed “Dear friend.” Chbosky gives the reader little clue about who Charlie may be writing to. Later, the reader discovers that even Charlie does not even know who he is writing to.

Rather, Charlie overheard a classmate talking about a friend. Charlie, imagining the anonymous friend as a good person and willing listener, begins writing to them.

And, as if Charlie wasn’t already overwhelmed dealing with the recent tragedy, he also has no friends and a family that doesn’t understand him.

Thankfully, Charlie has an English teacher named Bill who understands him perfectly. Bill urges Charlie to step outside of his wallflower status and participate in life.

Taking Bill’s advice, Charlie attends the homecoming football game, where he meets two people, Patrick and Sam (think Samantha).

Charlie immediately falls in love with Sam, a much-older senior. This is the first time he has noticed girls, and this girl is not interested.

Despite his crush, however, the two become very close and, with Patrick, spend much time together.

Throughout the year, Charlie is introduced to new experiences and new types of people. He learns about himself and how to interact with the people around him. He learns to cope with life and become a happy, optimistic person.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is written in a quiet, striking manner sure to captivate any reader, regardless of age.