It's Kind of a Funny Story

Ned VizziniFiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2006

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Download PDF

Introduction

Before Reading

During Reading

After Reading

Introduction

Teacher Introduction

It's Kind of a Funny Story

Genre: Fiction; young adult contemporary
Originally Published: 2006
Reading Level/Interest: Lexile 620L; grades 8-12
Structure/Length: 10 parts, 50 chapters; approximately 444 pages; approximately 8 hours, 35 minutes on audio
Protagonist/Central Conflict: It's Kind of a Funny Story follows the story of Craig Gilner, a high-achieving teenager in New York City who finds himself overwhelmed by the pressures of school and life. The central conflict revolves around Craig's mental health conditions, including depression and suicidal thoughts, which lead him to check himself into a psychiatric hospital. Inside the hospital, he encounters a diverse group of individuals and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and healing. The novel explores mental health, resilience, friendship, and the importance of seeking help when needed.
Potential Sensitivity Issues: Mental health conditions; depression; suicidal ideation; sexual content; profanity; use of drugs and alcohol; author died by suicide

Ned Vizzini, Author

Bio: Born 1981, deceased 2013; American author known for his young adult and fiction works; often drew from his own experiences, including mental health conditions
Other Works: Teen Angst? Naaah... (2000); Be More Chill (2004); The Other Normals (2012); House of Secrets (2013)
Awards: ALA Best Book for Young Adults (2007)

Get access to this full Teaching Guide and much more!