<P> Critical response was mixed; Publishers Weekly called the novel "trite", dealing with "standard teenage issues" in which "Chbosky infuses a droning insistence on Charlie's supersensitive disposition ." Although Kirkus Review said it had "the right combination of realism and uplift", the reviewer criticized Chbosky's "rip - off" of J.D. Salinger's The Catcher in the Rye . Although other reviewers made similar comparisons, Chbosky said he "was not trying to mimic (Salinger's) style as a writer"; he saw "how readers could compare Charlie to Salinger's Holden Caulfield", but "they are very different people with unique problems and perspectives". </P> <P> Further objections to the book include the use of "profanity", "drug abuse", "sexually explicit" scenes, and "torture". Groups like PABBIS (Parents Against Bad Books in School) work to restrict literature considered "controversial" from being accessed by younger children . The group believes these "bad books" should be moved to the adult section . In 2009, Perks was repeatedly challenged for descriptions of masturbation, sexually explicit conduct, drug use, and talk of suicide and there have been multiple pushes across the United States to move this literary work from the children and young adults section to the adult section . Parents have raised issues with the novel for it's "pornographic" content and "vulgarity", but others have argued that the book deals with real and common teen issues concerned with growing up, so it presents a truthful viewpoint . Issues are also raised surrounding the books themes of homosexuality, as well as a "glorification" of the use of drugs and alcohol . </P> <P> Francisca Goldsmith of the School Library Journal said the novel "cleverly" makes the readers the recipients of Charlie's letters, and it "will engage teen readers for years to come ." Common Sense Media's Kate Pavao praised its relevant themes for teenagers: "Readers will find themselves quickly feeling sorry for the protagonist and worrying about him throughout his transformative journey ." For The A.V. Club, Marah Eakin wrote that although for an adult "Perks suffers from an overabundance of pure, raw angst...unlike some more arrested development - friendly young adult fare like Harry Potter, Perks speaks to a more specific age range and does it well ." </P> <P> The Perks of Being a Wallflower has appeared six times on the American Library Association's list of 10 most - frequently - challenged books for its content . A Wisconsin school board refused to ban the book, angering local parents, and the Glen Ellyn District 41 school board in suburban Chicago unanimously voted to reinstate the novel after it was removed from eighth - grade classrooms at Hadley Junior High School because of a parent's objection to its sexual content . In an interview, Chbosky said that he knew of two school boards which have banned the book (in Massachusetts and on Long Island). Since he "didn't write it to be a controversial book," he was "surprised" by the bans . </P>

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