Dear Friend...

This story is not what I was thinking it was going to be about. This is an ordinary book about an ordinary boy. He is the epotimy of the average high school student. I was hoping for a different kind of book, but now that I have finished, I see the importance of this coming-of-age story. One must be in the right mind frame to read this book, it is almost like a self help holistic book that looks at a simple life that is on a constant emotional life roller coaster. We might want to run from our worries and troubles, but just like in Charlies situation it always comes back to haunt us. Many of my friends have claimed this as their favorite book, because of the relatablity and of the connection that they can feel through Charlie.This book would be great for any high school student. Another aspect that would motivate students would be the aspect of the pop culture that is embedded into Charlie's letters.

I think that I would have been friends with Charlie. I want to be like his teacher Bill that sees the potential in Charlie and helps him see and understand him self through books. What a paradox! Charlie is reading books that he can relate to their main character, while at the same time the reader (me or you) can relate to Charlie! :D

Some notes that I wrote down while reading this last part of the book include:
- guilt (92). The reader is able to completely feel for Charlie. He wants to try and be happy but he cannot force himself to be. Everyone has felt guilt at one time or another.
- Family and friends are extremely important to Charlie they are his life lines.
-Charlie is sentimental (111). Even though he cries a lot he is able to share his emotions with others. Crying is an outward sign of emotion, when one cries it is because the person wants others to know that they are sad/upset. This is an innate emotional reaction.
- French fries make everything better when you are a kid. Mmmm....
- Ha! Charlie is hilarious!! "I'll blind you"! Go get them Tiger!!
- Charlie gives us his way of rating a good film. If you don't feel different after watching the film then it wasn't good. (124).

I can't wait to teach this book!