Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Stephanie

Nervous about entering high school, 15-year-old Charlie begins writing to a stranger, addressed as friend. He writes about everything: school, family, friends. There is a lot of tension between him, his older brother, and his older sister. At school, Charlie does very well in English, where his teacher gives him extra books to read and write about.

However, Charlie also has difficult connecting with and understanding people and making friends. He manages to befriend a great group of seniors who help him gain experience as well as realize that, while there may be many perks to living at the fringes of life, sometimes you have to participate, have to confront yourself in order to move on and grow.

Ive always heard of this being a must-read for all teenagers. I guess that makes sensebut read it before its too late and doesnt appeal to you anymore. Charlie is quite an annoying and pathetic character that I could not really sympathize with, except at the end.