Perks of Being A Wallflower

The coming-of-age story Charlie shares with us in his letters in all at once heart-warming, depressing, humbling, and eye-opening. Many students—different kinds, personalities and groups of students—will be able to identify with at least one of the several phases Charlie goes through and the assorted experiences he must successfully navigate.

Although I certainly think Stephen Chbosky's novel is too old for seventh graders, this is teachable text, and it is much more accessible than other coming-of-age novels that are taught in schools. I thoroughly disliked Catcher in the Rye when I read it as a freshman, and I’m sure part of that was because I wasn’t ready for such topics. Also, as a more canonical text, Catcher in the Rye is less accessible, so, as others have suggested, I would certainly support teaching Perks of Being a Wallflower, perhaps in conjunction with Catcher in the Rye.