It's kind of a funny story - Ned Vizzini

pages: 270  published: 2010

Craig is a teenager. He has a loving family, and he's smart and has recently achieved entering a high achievement high school. But lately Craig hasn't been feeling well. He can't seem to find the will to do things. But when Craig finds himself at a most difficult crossroads, and starts contemplating suicide, he makes a wise decision and gets help. Professional help. Craig gets himself checked into hospital. It may sound daunting, but this is not a dark, black book. It is a book that takes a positive approach to mental issues and the people who suffer from these issues.

***SPOILER ALERT - BELOW***

Craig is going through difficulties but that are mainly due to current pressures in his lifestyle and he needs to learn how to deal with them, and how to accept that sometimes you can't have it all, you have to choose your battles. 

***SPOILER ALERT - ABOVE***

This was the first book on mental issues that I have ever read. It was a soft introduction, I didn't get thrown into the deep end, right in there with people who suffer from severe hallucinations or violent rampage, which I appreciated because understanding and accepting mental issues is not something that is easy to do, when you haven't experienced it yourself or don't know anyone who has. So starting with the lower end of the spectrum was probably a good thing. It has definitely made me more open to mental issues and made me want to read more on the subject.