Ned Vizzini is a Genius by Mia

Ned Vizzini is a Genius by Mia - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

In today's society, teenagers aren't shown that it is normal to not feel normal all of the time, and that asking for help is better than suffering in silence. In today's society, teenagers tend to suffer in silence without crying out for help, while their friends and family watch as their lives slowly fade away.

In Ned Vizzini's novel, "Its Kind of a Funny Story," the difficult topic of depression, suicide, and reaching out for help is addressed in a comical way. Of course, the novel is serious when it needs to be - it is impossible to write a story about such a serious topic without being a bit somber. However, Vizzini finds a way to open up the topic into more of a discussion with the readers rather than a lecture.

Craig, the main character, tumbles and stumbles his way through life, feeling depressed from the stress his academics put on him, the drugs he takes, and the disgust he feels for his entire situation in life. He knows that depression is a disease that needs to be treated, and while he tries to help himself, he realizes that he will need to take more drastic steps before he makes a mistake he cannot fix. To do this, he admits himself into his nearby hospital.

Throughout the way, Craig meets people who support him through his medical issues because they want to help and because they care about him. While in the hospital, he realizes that his school friends weren't doing anything to help him at all; they didn't support him or care for him at all.

In "Its Kind of a Funny Story," students would be able to learn so many important lessons that some classic pieces of literature cannot offer. Lessons like finding true friend, finding inner strength in the face of a society that promotes silence, and an open discussion about mental disorders are all conversations that students will find interesting and helpful.

Every year for the past five years, I've made sure that I have read this book. Sometimes, I need to remind myself of the important lessons in life, and this book really helps to get that message across.

If "Its Kind of a Funny Story" was introduced into classrooms across the nation, students would be able to find a literary friend that can be turned to in moments of need. Most of all, they will be reminded of the most important fact of this world:

Life goes on.