The Perks of Being a Wallflower--Stephen Chbosky; 1999
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a coming of age novel, told through a series of letters from Charlie to a sympathetic stranger. Stephen Chbosky painted an accurate picture of adolescence in the 1990s, but the characters and story are timeless. Charlie is a freshman, and an outsider. At the beginning, he is a sensitive loner. This is the story of him finding himself and connecting with others. As the novel progresses, Charlie's narration develops and matures, as he grows and defines himself. Charlie faces trials both mundane and unique, with an excellent supporting cast. Chbosky created such vivid, believable characters, they become the reader's friends as well as Charlie's. The plot is honest and well fleshed, and the ending is satisfyingly realistic. This is not a syrupy young adult novel about high school; it is the story of a young man trying to find his place in the world. Also, it is being released as a film on September 14, 2012, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller. But read the novel first!
Reviewed by Kelly Dillahunt-Payne
The Chosen One--Carol Lynch Williams; 2009
The Chosen One is the tale of a young girl coming to terms with her isolated fundamentalist upbringing. The author, Carol Lynch Williams, did such an excellent job portraying the feelings of 13 year old Kyra, that she felt real to me. I could not put this emotional thriller down. I was exhausted when I finished the novel, from discovering, running, and crying along with Kyra. Kyra is a member of a large, polygamous family in a closed religious community. She feels that they are living according to God, until she discovers a visiting bookmobile, and starts secretly reading everything she can get her hands on. Between the books and her growing feelings for her neighbor Joshua, she begins to have an awakening. When the community's Prophet decrees that she will be wed to her 60 year old uncle, who already has six wives, she knows she must make a difficult decision. Stay with her beloved family, married to a controlling old man, or flee into the dangers of the unknown?
Reviewed by Kelly Dillahunt-Payne
A BIG thanks to Kelly for these awesome reviews! Looking forward to reading more
of her marvelous reviews soon.
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