It's Kind of a Funny Story

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini
★★★★☆

Ambitious NYC teen Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life - which means getting into the right school to get into the right college to get the right job. But once Craig aces his way into a great high school, the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops eating and sleeping and one night, nearly kills himself. Craig’s suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her on face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. 

Vizzini (who spent time in a psychiatric hospital himself) has created a wonderful story.  Every teen - depressed or not - can relate to Craig's struggles; we've all dealt with academic or social stress before. Vizzini tells the comforting truth that we're not alone. The lessons Craig learns are important, and reading It's Kind of a Funny Story helped me figure out some of my own life.  Although some parts of the book can be awkward to read, its moving plot and uplifting themes make it a good read. 

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