Overview
Ambitious New York City teenager Craig Gilner is determined to succeed at life-which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job. But once Craig aces his way into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School, the pressure becomes unbearable. He stops eating and sleeping until, one night, he nearly kills himself.Craig's suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.
Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness. Featuring a new cover with key art from the film starring Keir Gilchrist, Zach Galifianakis, Lauren Graham, and Emma Roberts, the movie tie-in edition is sure to attract new fans to this beloved novel.
Synopsis
Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life—which means getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job—Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That’s when things start to get crazy.
At his new school, Craig realizes that he isn't brilliant compared to the other kids; he’s just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. The stress becomes unbearable and Craig stops eating and sleeping—until, one night, he nearly kills himself.
Craig’s suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, isolated from the crushing pressures of school and friends, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.
Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a remarkably moving tale about the sometimes unexpected road to happiness. For a novel about depression, it’s definitely a funny story.
Publishers Weekly
It's so hard to talk when you want to kill yourself" is the attention-grabbing first line of Vizzini's (Be More Chill) highly readable and ultimately upbeat novel. Though Craig was elated when he passed the entry exam for Manhattan's highly competitive Executive Pre-Professional High School, during his first year there he grows increasingly overwhelmed. Matters aren't helped by his new habit of smoking pot and then tormenting himself by hanging out with his best friend, Aaron, and Aaron's girlfriend, Nia, on whom Craig has a longstanding crush. Unable to eat and seriously considering suicide, Craig checks himself into a psychiatric hospital. There, Craig finds his true calling as a visual artist, begins a promising romantic relationship with another patient, helps yet another patient get a place in an adult home, and arranges a thoughtful treat for his reclusive Egyptian roommate-all in a mere five days, a timeframe that readers struggling with their own issues may find somewhat daunting. Still, few would begrudge Craig his exhilarating recovery. The author clearly has not lost his knack for conveying the textures of teenage life. Ages 13-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
Ned Vizzini, the talented young author of Be More Chill (the first YA novel selected as a Today show book club pick), crafts another superb study of angst-ridden adolescence in this story of teen depression. Craig Gilner is a gifted 15-year-old boy who works hard to get into a fiercely competitive high school, then crumbles under the intense academic pressure. Blindsided by his inability to excel and terrified by thoughts of suicide, Craig checks into a psychiatric hospital where he finally gets the help he needs. Vizzini, who himself spent a brief time in psychiatric "stir," invests his novel with great emotional honesty. A graceful, skillful, and witty handling of a sensitive issue, this is an important book we heartily recommend for older teens.Publishers Weekly
It's so hard to talk when you want to kill yourself" is the attention-grabbing first line of Vizzini's (Be More Chill) highly readable and ultimately upbeat novel. Though Craig was elated when he passed the entry exam for Manhattan's highly competitive Executive Pre-Professional High School, during his first year there he grows increasingly overwhelmed. Matters aren't helped by his new habit of smoking pot and then tormenting himself by hanging out with his best friend, Aaron, and Aaron's girlfriend, Nia, on whom Craig has a longstanding crush. Unable to eat and seriously considering suicide, Craig checks himself into a psychiatric hospital. There, Craig finds his true calling as a visual artist, begins a promising romantic relationship with another patient, helps yet another patient get a place in an adult home, and arranges a thoughtful treat for his reclusive Egyptian roommate-all in a mere five days, a timeframe that readers struggling with their own issues may find somewhat daunting. Still, few would begrudge Craig his exhilarating recovery. The author clearly has not lost his knack for conveying the textures of teenage life. Ages 13-up. (Apr.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature
Craig finds it hard to smile because he wants to kill himself. Suddenly, after working so hard to get accepted into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School, Craig Gilner realizes that he is just "average." He spent so long studying for the entrance exams that he forgot what it was like before and gradually his control begins to fall away. His deliberate downward spiral leads him to therapist after therapist as he sinks deeper into depression. One night he finds himself contemplating suicide. Like any intelligent teenager, he calls the suicide hotline and is directed to walk himself down to the hospital. Thus begins Craig's week long stint in the adult psychiatric ward filled with healing, despair, and self-evaluation, while allowing for comical characters and the lighter side of dealing with the ever-growing issue of adolescent depression. Ned Vizzini's newest novel is peppered with drinking, drugs, and sex, as well as familiar subjects that today's teens are faced with on a regular basis. 2006, Miramax books/Hyperion, Ages 13 up.—Jeanna Sciarrotta
VOYA
Craig Gilner obsessively pursues his dream of being accepted into a top-quality high school. Craig's dream, however, turns into a nightmare. At his new school, Craig is no longer extraordinary. He is one of many brilliant students, and soon his perfect world crumbles. Craig lapses into depression and spends more time smoking marijuana at his friend Aaron's house. Unable to eat or even do simple tasks, Craig begins seeing therapists and taking medication. His depression worsens when he stops taking his medication, and Craig must check himself into a hospital after having suicidal thoughts. During his short stay, Craig gains a better understanding of himself and forms strong bonds of friendship with the other psychiatric patients. The author spent time in a psychiatric hospital, and so Craig's first-person account of his thoughts and feelings is poignant and authentic. This reviewer was disappointed, however, with the fairy-tale ending. Craig not only decides on a major change in his life, he also becomes romantically involved with a patient his own age, Noelle. It is questionable whether Craig and Noelle's passionate scene on the night before Craig is discharged needs to be described in more than four pages of detail. Of course, Noelle is also being discharged the next day, and Craig has her phone number tucked away in his pocket as he leaves. Despite the ending, this book will be a solid purchase for libraries looking for fiction that deals with teen depression and school pressure. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P J S (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, Hyperion, 448p., Ages 12 to 18.—David Goodale