It's Kind of a Funny Story is a YA fiction novel by Ned Vizzini. It was selected by the ALA as a Best Book for Young Adults in 2007 and was named one of the 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels by NPR. Ned Vizzini penned this novel after a 5 day stay in the adult psychiatric ward at Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn. This book was turned into a movie in 2010.
Craig is overwhelmed with his desire to succeed. After successfully studying his way into the top high school around, he suddenly finds himself unable to eat or sleep. Struggling with the pressure he feels, Craig begins to contemplate suicide. Instead, he calls a suicide hotline and ends up checking himself into psychiatric care for five days. This book is about those five days.
Sex: There are some sexually explicit conversations and scenes in this book.
Language: Moderate to high.
Drug/Alcohol Use: Craig and his friends often drink and smoke marijuana. They are 15 years old.
Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: The scenes where Craig thinks about suicide are pretty heavy. Some of the other people in the hospital have difficult backgrounds.
Final Note: It was interesting to see firsthand what clinical depression feels like. I thought Ned Vizzini did a great job sharing his experiences. It's important to note that in 2013, Ned committed suicide. This may be troubling for any teenagers who pick up this book.
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