<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> <P> With the announcement of a film adaptation the novel received more attention; it sales increased from 88,847 copies in 2011 to 425,933 in 2012, and it reached the New York Times bestseller lists . It entered the Children's Paperback Books category on the June 23, 2012 list, and had 1.5 million copies in print in November 2012 . As of May 11, 2014 it appeared on The New York Times top 10 list for the 71st non-consecutive week, and was in the top 15 on the November 23 list . </P> <P> Since he wrote The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Chbosky aspired to adapt it into a film, calling this "a lifelong dream of mine". After the publication of the novel, the author said he received film offers, refusing them because he "owed the fans a movie that was worthy of their love for the book". In 2010 Mr. Mudd began developing a film version, and the author was signed to write and direct the film by producers John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith . The film, shot in the Pittsburgh area from May 9 to June 29, 2011, starred Logan Lerman as Charlie, Emma Watson as Sam, Ezra Miller as Patrick, and Nina Dobrev as Charlie's sister, Candace . </P> <P> It premiered on September 8, 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival, and was released theatrically in the United States by Summit Entertainment on September 21 . According to Metacritic it has received "generally favorable reviews", with an average of 67 out of 100 based on 36 reviews . Rotten Tomatoes reported an 85% approval rate, based on 151 reviews . The film grossed over $33 million worldwide from a $13 million production budget . </P>

Where did they film perks of being a wallflower