Number of challenges: 55

Challenged for: depiction of sexual abuse, LGBTQIA+ content, drug use, profanity, claimed to be sexually explicit

Chbosky’s text is a consideration of acceptance, connection, inclusion and resilience in environment that constantly challenges these facets within the individual: high school. As a middle-school student socially awkward Charlie is befriended by two seniors who appreciate his eccentricities and provide sanctuary while he comes to terms with grief brought on by the death of a close relative. It is this relative who is eventually named as the perpetrator of abuse, adding to the confusion Charlie feels within his relationship with her.

Research into the censorship on this book revealed some interesting insights. Again the MFL collective are on the case, as recently as 2023, utilising a “routine…compilation of arguments” Marshall Libraries, 2024, para 1). These demonstrations appear to be viewed as de rigeur- to be expected,  by information professionals in any YA material potentially deemed provocative. Perks of a Wallflower has experienced consistent challenge/removal since its publication, deemed by parents and  community sectors as “trashy…disgusting….and offensive” due to depictions of homosexuality, drug use, profanity, sexual experience and abuse. The latter was cited as encouragement of debasing behaviour by one individual – “how many girls may have been date raped because the guys read that book?” (Marshall Libraries, 2024, para 2) which was responded to by the local Public School Chief Communications officer – “(To best) prepare students at the appropriate age to be critical thinkers… oftentimes, is to have access to a variety of literature.” – and to refrain from hysteria when one has only read the first 31 pages!

This is the role of the librarian – to provide access to diverse literature, again that is age and development appropriate.

One further component  I found of interest is mental and emotional instability of Charlie. As dispositional characteristics Charlie’s actions and motivations might be considered neurodivergent.  Literature sources, however, tend to believe the behaviours to be circumstantial, related to post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression. Engagement with these facets is better suited to the later stages of adolescence (age 17-21) where information can be processed critically and comprehended in context.