Title Read-alikes
This page shows title read-alikes for visitors who are interested in reading other titles that are similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Each book is linked to it's Goodreads profile, where visitors can read reviews and find more information on the titles listed. You can also click on the book cover to pull up the Amazon listing for the title.
Please Ignore Vera Dietz by Amy Sarig King.
"Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.
So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?"
Why is this title a read-alike? The protagonists of King and Chbosky's dark, humorous and realistic novels fall into downward spirals after they must face harsh truths on top of family secrets.
"Vera’s spent her whole life secretly in love with her best friend, Charlie Kahn. And over the years she’s kept a lot of his secrets. Even after he betrayed her. Even after he ruined everything.
So when Charlie dies in dark circumstances, Vera knows a lot more than anyone—the kids at school, his family, even the police. But will she emerge to clear his name? Does she even want to?"
Why is this title a read-alike? The protagonists of King and Chbosky's dark, humorous and realistic novels fall into downward spirals after they must face harsh truths on top of family secrets.
Dear Bruce Springsteen by Kevin Major
"Terry knows Bruce Springsteen is on tour, so he doesn't expect an answer to his letters. What counts is writing it all down, and wondering what Bruce would do if he had a weird life like Terry's.
Dad took off and Mom has a new boyfriend. Terry can't change that, so he thinks instead about saving up for a guitar and organizing a benefit concert. Then he'll meet a really cool girl. Maybe.
As he pours out his feelings to his idol, Terry gradually sees how to manage his own life and become his own hero."
Why is this title a read-alike? These novels are both character-driven and touched by angst. Through writing letters, the protagonists both are able to come to a resolution at the end of the book.
"Terry knows Bruce Springsteen is on tour, so he doesn't expect an answer to his letters. What counts is writing it all down, and wondering what Bruce would do if he had a weird life like Terry's.
Dad took off and Mom has a new boyfriend. Terry can't change that, so he thinks instead about saving up for a guitar and organizing a benefit concert. Then he'll meet a really cool girl. Maybe.
As he pours out his feelings to his idol, Terry gradually sees how to manage his own life and become his own hero."
Why is this title a read-alike? These novels are both character-driven and touched by angst. Through writing letters, the protagonists both are able to come to a resolution at the end of the book.
Boy21 by Matthew Quick
"Basketball has always been an escape for Finley. He lives in gray, broken Bellmont, a town ruled by the Irish Mob, drugs, violence, and racially charged rivalries. At home, he takes care of his disabled grandfather, and at school he’s called “White Rabbit”, the only white kid on the varsity basketball team. He’s always dreamed of getting out somehow with his girlfriend, Erin. But until then, when he puts on his number 21, everything seems to make sense.
Russ has just moved to the neighborhood. A former teen basketball phenom from a privileged home, his life has been turned upside down by tragedy. Cut off from everyone he knows, he now answers only to the name Boy21—his former jersey number—and has an unusual obsession with outer space.
As their final year of high school brings these two boys together, Boy21 may turn out to be the answer they both need."
Why is this title a read-alike? We see in both books, teen guys coping with the residual effects of childhood violence, although the two protagonists take different approaches. Finley remains quiet and strong until he can escape his hometown, while Charlie uses humor to reveal his feelings through letters.
"Basketball has always been an escape for Finley. He lives in gray, broken Bellmont, a town ruled by the Irish Mob, drugs, violence, and racially charged rivalries. At home, he takes care of his disabled grandfather, and at school he’s called “White Rabbit”, the only white kid on the varsity basketball team. He’s always dreamed of getting out somehow with his girlfriend, Erin. But until then, when he puts on his number 21, everything seems to make sense.
Russ has just moved to the neighborhood. A former teen basketball phenom from a privileged home, his life has been turned upside down by tragedy. Cut off from everyone he knows, he now answers only to the name Boy21—his former jersey number—and has an unusual obsession with outer space.
As their final year of high school brings these two boys together, Boy21 may turn out to be the answer they both need."
Why is this title a read-alike? We see in both books, teen guys coping with the residual effects of childhood violence, although the two protagonists take different approaches. Finley remains quiet and strong until he can escape his hometown, while Charlie uses humor to reveal his feelings through letters.
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
"Set over the course of one school year in 1986, Eleanor and Park is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under."
Why is this title a read-alike? Both books are set in the recent past and feature protagonists working through the ecstasies and agonies of first love, relationships, and surviving high school.
"Set over the course of one school year in 1986, Eleanor and Park is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under."
Why is this title a read-alike? Both books are set in the recent past and feature protagonists working through the ecstasies and agonies of first love, relationships, and surviving high school.
The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp
"Sutter Keely. He's the guy you want at your party. He’ll get everyone dancing. He’ ll get everyone in your parents’ pool. Okay, so he’s not exactly a shining academic star. He has no plans for college and will probably end up folding men’s shirts for a living. But there are plenty of ladies in town, and with the help of Dean Martin and Seagram’s V.O., life’s pretty fabuloso, actually.
Until the morning he wakes up on a random front lawn, and he meets Aimee. Aimee’s clueless. Aimee is a social disaster. Aimee needs help, and it’s up to the Sutterman to show Aimee a splendiferous time and then let her go forth and prosper. But Aimee’s not like other girls, and before long he’s in way over his head. For the first time in his life, he has the power to make a difference in someone else’s life—or ruin it forever."
Why is this title a read-alike? The Spectacular Now takes a more bluntly humorous tone, but both are cleverly written and character-driven featuring male protagonists coping with family crises and high school pressures.
"Sutter Keely. He's the guy you want at your party. He’ll get everyone dancing. He’ ll get everyone in your parents’ pool. Okay, so he’s not exactly a shining academic star. He has no plans for college and will probably end up folding men’s shirts for a living. But there are plenty of ladies in town, and with the help of Dean Martin and Seagram’s V.O., life’s pretty fabuloso, actually.
Until the morning he wakes up on a random front lawn, and he meets Aimee. Aimee’s clueless. Aimee is a social disaster. Aimee needs help, and it’s up to the Sutterman to show Aimee a splendiferous time and then let her go forth and prosper. But Aimee’s not like other girls, and before long he’s in way over his head. For the first time in his life, he has the power to make a difference in someone else’s life—or ruin it forever."
Why is this title a read-alike? The Spectacular Now takes a more bluntly humorous tone, but both are cleverly written and character-driven featuring male protagonists coping with family crises and high school pressures.
Rats Saw God by Rob Thomas
"For Steve York, life was good. He had a 4.0 GPA, friends he could trust, and a girl he loved. Now he spends his days smoked out, not so much living as simply existing.
But his herbal endeavors -- and personal demons -- have lead to a severe lack of motivation. Steve's flunking out, but if he writes a one-hundred-page paper, he can graduate.
Steve realizes he must write what he knows. And through telling the story of how he got to where he is, he discovers exactly where he wants to be...."
Why is this title a read-alike? Teen guys work through high-school angst and confusing issues by writing. Steve writes a paper, while Charlie uses letters but both find themselves in the process of figuring things out in these sarcastic and realistic novels.
"For Steve York, life was good. He had a 4.0 GPA, friends he could trust, and a girl he loved. Now he spends his days smoked out, not so much living as simply existing.
But his herbal endeavors -- and personal demons -- have lead to a severe lack of motivation. Steve's flunking out, but if he writes a one-hundred-page paper, he can graduate.
Steve realizes he must write what he knows. And through telling the story of how he got to where he is, he discovers exactly where he wants to be...."
Why is this title a read-alike? Teen guys work through high-school angst and confusing issues by writing. Steve writes a paper, while Charlie uses letters but both find themselves in the process of figuring things out in these sarcastic and realistic novels.