It is a highly acclaimed novel that has a highly successful movie. Based on obriens objection, the book was only banned at pasco middle school, not districtwide florida school district moves to ban the perks of being a wallflower. He is on the journey of growing up and trying to discover who he is. The perks of being a wallflower quotes and analysis. In 2012, the book was turned into a film starring logan lerman, ezra miller. The perks of being a wallflower summary fifteenyearold charlie is coping with the suicide of his friend, michael. Should the perks of being a wallflower be banned answers.
The perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky was removed from the curriculum at sheehan high school in wallingford, connecticut, after a parent complained about its content. Even though it addresses a very specific set of issues, this novel is able to strike a chord with a vast group of readers. Perks, as it is affectionately called by fans, follows charlie as he begins his freshman year of high school. Also in 2016, the superintendent of a high school in wallingford, connecticut banned the book from 9th grade english curriculum due to parent jean pierre bolats complaint. The perks of being a wallflower quotes and analysis gradesaver. He is very shy, but that all comes down to a mental issue that occurred because of something that happened when he was younger, which you will get the gist of later on in the book. The perks of being a wallflower, by stephen chbosky reasons. Patrick alludes to this commonality of experience in this quote. To lessen the fear and anxiety of starting high school alone, charlie starts writing letters to a stranger, someone he heard was nice but has never met in person. It was first published in 1999 during the month of february. Banned books 2019 the perks of being a wallflower marshall.
Perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky banned. Suicide, molestation, domestic abuse, homosexuality, drug use, mental illness and abortion are parts of real life, and perks has done all. The perks of being a wallflower, by stephen chbosky. The critically acclaimed debut novel from stephen chbosky, perks follows observant wallflower charlie as he charts a course through the strange world between adolescence and adulthood. First published in 1999, the perks of being a wallflower is a modern classic that captures the aching, confusing, and glorious experience of being a teenagerall through the eyes, ears, and letters of the books narrator, charlie. Visit sheila at book journey for giveaways and discussion of banned books if youve heard anything about the novel the perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky, then you wont be surprised it was one of the most frequently challenged books of 20. The perks of being a wallflower, by stephen chbosky audience.
Why was the book the perks of being a wallflower banned. Chboskys use of everyday friendship happenings allows us to really understand how important sam and patrick will be to charlie. In fact, its frank depictions of drugs, sex, and suicide are so intense that its one of the most frequently banned. Challenged in school libraries by a group called parents against bad books in schools for profanity and. The perks of being a wallflower is at the center of a major. After all, we all know the feeling of being on the outside of an inside joke. We dont know where charlie lives and we dont know to whom he is writing. Perks of being a wallflower should be banned essay 847.
Charlie, the fifteenyearold narrator of the perks of being a wallflower, has just entered his freshman year of high school when the book begins. Stephen chbosky for the banned books virtual readout duration. For example, the book was challenged on a wyoming, ohio high school districts high school reading list for its frank descriptions of masturbation, sex, drugs, and suicide. At the beginning of perks of being a wallflower, charlie is described as a wallflower. Stephen chboskys 1999 young adult novel the perks of being a wallflower could be a memo about the importance of inclusiveness. The perks of being a wallflower interview with stephen chbosky. Apr 12, 2015 no, perks of being a wallflower author says after wallingford book controversy by eric vo and recordjournal for the associated press published april 12, 2015 updated on april 12. The perks of being a wallflower is a frequently banned title. The perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky was banned from ninth grade classrooms at portage high school in portage, in, in late november 2008.
Stephen chbosky talks the perks of being a wallflower. A classic comingofage story, the perks of being a wallflower was originally a book written by stephen chbosky in 1999. The book was challenged by one parent who objected to sexual content in the novel, and the school board decided to remove the book from the curriculum. The author of the perks of being a wallflower says hes offended when critics quote passages of the book out of context. There is a fine line between silencing fictional voices and real ones. The perks of being a wallflower was frequently challenged for a. Mar 16, 2016 the perks of being a wallflower was written by steven chbosky. Apr, 2015 the perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky was removed from the curriculum at sheehan high school in wallingford, connecticut, after a parent complained about its content. Yes, the perks of being a wallflower has controversial content, including homosexuality, rape, abortion, drug use, suicide, and sexual abuse. A statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information is accurate, and that you are the owner. Perks of being a wallflower banned in florida middle school. However, its a banned book in many schools and libraries. In this book, the reader experiences a naive teenage boy, charlie, seeing life in a whole new light.
The perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky. Kids right to read project opposes banning of the perks. The book i was reading was the perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky, there are many reasons why this book was banned. The book was challenged by one parent who objected to sexual. The perks of being a wallflower book by stephen chbosky. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. The perks of being a wallflower should not be banned from schools because some middle school and high school kids are able to relate to some of the characters, and if they share the same problems that the characters have, or witness these problems at school or with their friends, the book can help them deal with these problems more easily. Top 10 most challenged books lists advocacy, legislation. A complaint from a parent in wallingford, connecticut, has prompted the districts superintendent of schools to remove stephen chboskys the perks of being a wallflower from the required reading list for high school freshmen. For example, the book was challenged on a wyoming, ohio high school district s high school reading list for its frank descriptions of masturbation, sex, drugs, and suicide. No, perks of being a wallflower author says after wallingford book controversy by eric vo and recordjournal for the associated press published april 12, 2015. In dubuque, iowa, a group of over a dozen parents leveled that the book was obscene, objecting to graphic sex scenes and its depiction of drug and alcohol use.
Perks of being a wallflower banned after parent complains the. Sep 20, 2012 stephen chboskys 1999 young adult novel the perks of being a wallflower could be a memo about the importance of inclusiveness. Proposed bans of lgbtthemed books in the united states. Personally, i dont want to live in the dark ages 2. Set in the early 1990s, the novel follows charlie, an introverted observing teenager, through his freshman year of high school in a pittsburgh suburb. The books protagonist, highschool freshman charlie, is. The perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky was banned from. The perks of being a wallflower, listed as one of the top 10 most challenged books of the 21 st century by the american library association, is a comingofage story of a boy who battles with depression, family matters, and love issues. The perks of being a wallflower is at the center of a. Perks of being a wallflower banned after parent complains by chris finan a complaint from a parent in wallingford, connecticut, has prompted the districts superintendent of schools to remove stephen chbosky s the perks of being a wallflower from the required reading list for high school freshmen. I dont know if im the only one who feels this way, but march felt like a whole lifetime to me. Readers venture alongside charlie as he befriends the school. The perks of being a wallflower was one of the most frequently banned or challenged books of 2009.
The perks of being a wallflower ending, explained what. Another book on the banned list like the perks of being a wallflower is looking for alaska by john green, who also wrote the fault in our stars this modern classic yes i realise thats an oxymoron created anxiety in parents around the world due to some explicit scenes, controversial religious views and liberal use of profanities. He is quiet and withdrawn, but he is also extremely observant and thoughtful, always paying close attention to everything going on around him, even if he is only a silent witness. Like so many others, i love perks of being a wallflower, and i think its a great book. Iowa parents argue the perks of being a wallflower. The perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky, paperback. This modern classic yes i realise thats an oxymoron created anxiety in parents around the world due to some explicit scenes, controversial religious views and liberal use of. A generation appears to have adopted the perks of being a wallflower, and by extension its narrator charlie, stephen chboskys epistolary novel has something of a cult following, and the quotes that litter the internet seem almost anthemic, given the passion with which they are reblogged, quoted, slapped across artfully lightleaked. Iowa parents argue the perks of being a wallflower potentially. The perks of being a wallflower was one of the most widely challenged and banned books of the first decade of the 2000s.
Essay on the perks of being a wallflower by stephen. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Apr 03, 2020 another book on the banned list like the perks of being a wallflower is looking for alaska by john green, who also wrote the fault in our stars. The perks of being a wallflower is a truly moving story about charlie, a freshman in high school, who is by no means popular. The perks of being a wallflower should definitely not be banned. Now that it has come to a close, its time to discuss our book, the perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky. If a book is banned, that means it has been removed. Perks of being a wallflower banned i have just read the book perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky, which is a challenged book on the banned book website.
He is quiet and withdrawn, but he is also extremely observant and thoughtful, always paying close attention to everything going on around him, even if he is. A summary of part 4, continued, and epilogue in stephen chboskys the perks of being a wallflower. A classic coming of age story, the perks of being a wallflower was originally a book written by stephen chbosky in 1999. The question and answer section for the perks of being a wallflower is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel. Over the course of the novel, charlie is able to step away from the wall. Many people have read this book solely for the purpose of entertainment. Patrick one of charlies best friends says, you see things. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. The book has been banned in other school districts in north america. May 23, 2016 the perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky is probably one of the best books ive ever read for so many different reasons. One of the most beautiful parts of the perks of being a wallflower is that people from very different backgrounds and age groups can relate to its story. Why everyone should read the perks of being a wallflower.
Not only is it an amazing look inside a teenage boys mind when it comes to depression, friendship, loneliness and heartache but it is also a reminder of things that happen in high school that we may not be able to change, but we can. The parent, jeanpierre bolat, complained about the books depiction of homosexuality, sex, masturbation, and a glorification of alcohol use and drugs. Kwwl reports that at the meeting, over 40 participants stood up and spoke about their personal connection to the book. The perks of being a wallflower is a young adult comingofage epistolary novel by american writer stephen chbosky, which was first published on february 1, 1999, by pocket books. In wallingford, connecticut a parent sent out a complaint to remove the perks of being a wallflower from the required reading list for high schoolers.
If the book is removed from the shelf or access to it is restricted, it is considered to be a banned book. Dean audet wants the book the perks of being a wallflower pulled off school shelves and banned because he says students in grade 10 shouldnt be reading a book with content this vulgar. The perks of being a wallflower was written by steven chbosky. Stephen chboskys young adult novel the perks of being a wallflower is once again at the center of a potential censorship controversy. Dec 22, 2008 the perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky was banned from ninth grade classrooms at portage high school in portage, in, in late november 2008. Challenged as assigned reading at the grandview heights oh high school because the book deals with drugs, alcohol, sex, homosexuality, and abuse. The reasons, according to people whove requested the book be banned, is that it discusses homosexuality, drugs, and its explicit sexual content.
Spotlight on censorship the perks of being a wallflower. Kids right to read project opposes banning of the perks of. It has been banned in wyoming, ohio and wallingford, connecticut. Based on the 1999 young adult novel of the same name, the perks of being a wallflower follows teenager charlie logan lerman through his freshman year of high school and touches on serious subject matter like sexual abuse, depression, anxiety and bullying. Perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky banned library. The perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky essay 17 words 6 pages. The perks of being a wallflower was the 10th most challenged book on the american library associations list of the 100 most banned or challenged books of 20002009. In dubuque, iowa, a group of over a dozen parents leveled that the book was obscene, objecting to graphic sex. The book contains several intriguing themes regarding. Not only is it an amazing look inside a teenage boys mind when it comes to depression, friendship, loneliness and heartache but it is also a reminder of things that happen in high school that we may not be able to change, but we can make the best of it. Ban the perks of being a wallflower from schools, says. The book has been challenged all around america at least once a year since 2003, which was 4 years after its publication date of 1999, mostly to. Perks is keeping some creepy tabs on our lives, dont you think.
Dec 17, 2014 the perks of being a wallflower should not be banned from schools because some middle school and high school kids are able to relate to some of the characters, and if they share the same problems that the characters have, or witness these problems at school or with their friends, the book can help them deal with these problems more easily. For example, the book was challenged on a wyoming, ohio high school districts high school reading list for its frank descriptions of. Kids right to read project opposes banning of the perks of being. Dec 16, 2016 the book i was reading was the perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky, there are many reasons why this book was banned. Oct 01, 2010 the perks of being a wallflower was one of the most frequently banned or challenged books of 2009.
Perks of being a wallflower banned after parent complains. The perks of being a wallflower by stephen chbosky is probably one of the best books ive ever read for so many different reasons. In dubuque, iowa, a group of over a dozen parents leveled that the book was obscene, objecting to graphic sex scenes and its depiction of. In the list of titles for the decade from 20002009, book number 10 always catches my eye. The perks of being a wallflower is a young adult coming of age epistolary novel by american writer stephen chbosky, which was first published on february 1, 1999, by pocket books. According to recordjournal, a local newspaper says the parent, jeanpierre bolat. The perks of being a wallflower questions and answers. Banning books that speak about these experiences and identities limits peoples capacity to learn and silences fictional voices that are willing to illuminate. The novel details charlies unconventional style of thinking as he.