It's Kind of a Funny Story – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2007

79%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A funny, honest, gut-punch of a book about a teen's suicide attempt and week in a psych ward—required reading for the achievement-obsessed generation.

It's Kind of a Funny Story

book

2007

79%

WISE Score

4.6

Amazon

A funny, honest, gut-punch of a book about a teen's suicide attempt and week in a psych ward—required reading for the achievement-obsessed generation.

4.6

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Screenwise Verdict

This is the real deal. Vizzini wrote from experience (he was hospitalized at 23), and it shows—Craig's spiral into depression and his week in the psych ward feel authentic, not after-school-special sanitized. The book is funny when it needs to be, devastating when it should be, and ultimately hopeful without being preachy.

It's not an easy read. The suicide attempt happens early, and the mental health content is heavy throughout. But for teens drowning in achievement pressure or struggling with their own mental health, this book can be life-changing. It says: you're not broken, depression is real, and getting help is the opposite of failure.

The tragic footnote: Vizzini died by suicide in 2013 at age 32. It doesn't invalidate the book's message, but it's something parents should know, especially if reading alongside a vulnerable teen. This is a book to read together and talk about, not hand off without context.

Age Fit

Best for ages 13-15 and up. This is mature YA—Common Sense Media and parent reviews consistently recommend it for older teens who can handle frank discussions of suicide, depression, and psychiatric hospitalization. Not for younger or more sensitive readers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Vizzini's novel handles teen depression, suicidal ideation, and psychiatric hospitalization with honesty and surprising humor. Craig's journey models vulnerability, help-seeking behavior, and genuine connection with others struggling with mental health. The tone balances darkness with hope—Craig confronts his anxiety rather than running from it. The psychiatric ward setting includes diverse characters (transsexual patients, self-harm survivors) portrayed with dignity rather than mockery. It's emotionally mature content, not exploitative, and ultimately affirms that getting help is strength, not weakness.

Imaginative

The book takes the familiar high-pressure teen achievement narrative and flips it by placing Craig in an unexpected setting—a psychiatric hospital—where he can finally think clearly. Vizzini's semi-autobiographical approach brings authenticity rather than wild creativity, but the cast of characters (President Armelio, the face-scarred girl) and the juxtaposition of teen academic stress with serious mental illness creates fresh perspective. It's more observational and introspective than fantastical, but it invites readers to reimagine what success and happiness actually mean.

Safe

This book directly addresses suicide attempts, depression, eating disorders, self-harm, and psychiatric hospitalization. Common Sense Media recommends it for mature teens (age 14+), and parent reviews consistently note it's best for ages 13-15+. The content is handled responsibly—it's not gratuitous—but it's heavy and could be triggering for vulnerable readers. A younger teen stumbling on this without context might find the suicidal episode and mental health crises disturbing. That said, for the right reader at the right time, it's actually quite safe in its message: depression is real, help exists, and recovery is possible.

Enriching

This is one of the most important YA books about teen mental health from the 2000s. It destigmatizes psychiatric treatment, models asking for help, and gives readers language for their own struggles. Craig's realization that the relentless achievement treadmill is crushing him—and that it's okay to step off—is genuinely valuable. The book builds empathy for people with mental illness and offers insight into how depression actually feels. Vizzini's own experience (he was hospitalized at 23) lends authenticity. Tragically, Vizzini died by suicide in 2013, which adds painful weight but doesn't diminish the book's power to help readers feel less alone.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Destigmatizes mental health treatment and shows that asking for help is brave, not weak
Vizzini's semi-autobiographical honesty makes Craig's depression feel real, not romanticized
Balances heavy topics with genuine humor—it's about depression but somehow not depressing
Challenges the toxic achievement culture that crushes so many teens
Diverse, dignified portrayal of psychiatric patients—no one is a punchline

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What to Watch For

Suicide attempt in the opening; explicit discussion of suicidal ideation throughout
Psychiatric hospital setting includes references to self-harm, eating disorders, sexual content
Could be triggering for teens actively struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts
Author Ned Vizzini later died by suicide (2013)—context parents should know if discussing the book

Conversation Starters

"Craig realizes the 'right high school → right college → right job' path was making him miserable. Do you ever feel that kind of pressure?"
"Why do you think Craig could only start to feel better once he was away from school and his regular life?"
"The book shows a bunch of different people in the psych ward. Did any of them surprise you or change how you think about mental illness?"
"Craig's friends and family didn't really notice how bad things were getting. How do you think people can better support friends who might be struggling?"

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