Melinda Sordino busted an end-of-summer party by calling the cops. Now her old friends won’t talk to her, and people she doesn’t even know hate her from a distance. The safest place to be is alone, inside her own head. But even that’s not safe. Because there’s something she’s trying not to think about, something about the night of the party that, if she let it in, would blow her carefully constructed disguise to smithereens. And then she would have to speak the truth. This extraordinary first novel has captured the imaginations of teenagers and adults across the country.

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Lorna rated it ★★★★★.

Betsy rated it ★★★★.

Charlie is a freshman.

And while he’s not the biggest geek in the school, he is by no means popular. Shy, introspective, intelligent beyond his years yet socially awkward, he is a wallflower, caught between trying to live his life and trying to run from it.

Charlie is attempting to navigate his way through uncharted territory: the world of first dates and mix tapes, family dramas and new friends; the world of sex, drugs, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show, when all one requires is that perfect song on that perfect drive to feel infinite. But he can’t stay on the sideline forever. Standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective. But there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply affecting coming-of-age story that will spirit you back to those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up.

Ratings and Reviews from the Librarians

Bekka rated it ★★★★★ and said, “REALLY good – Part of what I loved was it was set in the same time period as my own high school years and it was fun to have all the pop culture elements that I remembered, all the great songs, etc. Also a very touching and excellent story. Not sure how they’ll make this into a movie though…”

Lorna rated it ★★★★ and said, “I would like to be friends with Charlie.”

Rachel rated it ★★★★★.