There’s a certain stage in life where an individual starts to experience things that they’ve never seen before. Bodies change, brains develop, passions emerge, and new friendships are made. At the edge of all the chaos is Charlie, a boy who has just entered the strange world of high school. The Perks of Being a Wallflower follows Charlie’s expedition through the awkward teenage years, as he battles the fight between living his life and running away from it. Stephen Chbosky is an amazing writer, and The Perks of Being a Wallflower shows how impactful he has been to the coming-of-age genre. Charlie is a protagonist that we all can sympathize with and understand, and the story he presents is written through a letter format. We don’t know who he sends the letters to, but the reader assumes the position as the mysterious character that is receiving these letters. Charlie is a shy introvert who would rather watch the action than take part in it, and the teachers and characters we meet understand this part about him. Charlie’s letters can be joyful and humorous, but they can also be sad and devastating. The journey that Charlie goes through simulates the high school experience, and it shows how a lost boy like our main character does his best to find the right place for him. This book has a lot of references to sex, suicide, drug and alcohol use, and a lot of mature material. If you feel lost, then read this book. It’s a book that will change your perspective on life as a whole.