It's Kind of A Funny Story

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini

A Powerful and Honest Look at Teen Mental Health—with Humor, Heart, and Hope
An acclaimed young adult novel about anxiety, pressure, and the unexpected road to healing, based on the author’s real-life experience.

Craig Gilner is laser-focused on one goal: getting into Manhattan’s Executive Pre-Professional High School, the perfect launchpad to success. He studies relentlessly, aces the entrance exam, and gets in. But once there, Craig discovers he’s no longer exceptional—just average. And with that realization, his carefully planned future starts to unravel.

The pressure mounts. Craig stops eating. Stops sleeping. And one night, in a moment of deep despair, he contemplates ending his life.

His cry for help leads him to a psychiatric hospital, where he’s admitted for a five-day stay. There, Craig meets a cast of unforgettable characters—a self-declared president, a girl with facial scars, a trans sex addict—and begins to find perspective and purpose beyond the crushing weight of expectation.

Written with raw honesty, wit, and deep emotional insight, It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a semi-autobiographical novel that offers a refreshingly relatable take on teen depression, pressure, and healing. For anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed, not good enough, or lost in a world of achievement, this story offers not only validation—but hope.

🧠 Perfect for fans of John Green, Adam Silvera, and Jennifer Niven
🧠 A must-read for teens dealing with anxiety, burnout, or perfectionism
🧠 Praised by critics for its blend of humor and mental health awareness

Format: Paperback 
Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Mental Health
Themes: Depression, Academic Pressure, Suicide Prevention, Self-Discovery
Audience: Teen readers, parents, educators, and anyone seeking honest mental health representation in fiction

✨ It’s Kind of a Funny Story is a deeply human, darkly funny novel about survival, finding your voice, and learning to live on your own terms—even when it feels impossible.