Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming-of-age epistolary novel following Charlie, a sensitive high school freshman navigating friendship, first love, trauma, and mental health. Through letters to an anonymous recipient, Charlie's voice captures the intensity of adolescence with honesty and vulnerability. The novel becomes a tender exploration of what it means to grow up different, to find your people, and to learn that being seen can be both terrifying and healing.

WHY WE PICKED IT: Because Chbosky remembers what it actually feels like to be a teenager, not what adults think it should feel like. This novel reminds us that adolescence is survival, that finding even one person who understands you can save your life, and that it's okay to not be okay.

DETAILS: • Author: Stephen Chbosky • Publisher: MTV Books • Format: Paperback • Publication Date: February 1, 1999 • ISBN: 9780671027346 • Ships direct from distributor in 3–7 business days