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50 pages 1 hour read

Words on Bathroom Walls

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2017

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Book Brief

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Julia Walton

Words on Bathroom Walls

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2017
Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

13-18 years

Lexile Level

780L

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Super Short Summary

Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton follows Adam, a 16-year-old living with schizophrenia, who navigates mental illness, starts a clinical drug trial, and adapts to life at a new school while keeping his condition secret. He forms friendships, engages in a romantic relationship, and faces the challenges of his condition as the efficacy of the drug trial varies. The book includes discussions of mental illness.

Emotional

Contemplative

Inspirational

Heartwarming

Challenging

Reviews & Readership

4.4

16,672 ratings

79%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Julia Walton's Words on Bathroom Walls offers a poignant and sincere depiction of schizophrenia in a teen's life, praised for its authentic voice and compelling narrative. While some critics find the portrayal deeply moving and the protagonist relatable, others mention that the secondary characters lack depth. Overall, the novel balances sensitivity and humor effectively, making it a thoughtful read.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Words on Bathroom Walls?

A reader who would enjoy Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton is likely a fan of contemporary YA fiction with deep emotional themes, similar to those explored in John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars and Nicola Yoon’s Everything, Everything. They appreciate stories that tackle mental health issues with sensitivity and authenticity.

4.4

16,672 ratings

79%

Loved it

17%

Mixed feelings

4%

Not a fan

Character List

Adam Petrazelli

Adam is a teenager diagnosed with schizophrenia who grapples with the challenges of living with hallucinations. He navigates relationships and the stigma surrounding his mental illness while striving for personal acceptance.

Maya is Adam’s love interest, portrayed as a skeptical yet genuine character who feels disillusioned by superficiality in others. She comes from a family facing financial difficulties and shares a guarded nature similar to Adam's.

Rebecca is a hallucination experienced by Adam, embodying a silent, comforting presence with distinctive blonde hair and blue eyes. She often reflects Adam's internal states and can foreshadow the arrival of more troubling hallucinations.

Dwight is a talkative and optimistic friend Adam makes, distinguished by his bright appearance and positive demeanor. He maintains his friendship with Adam regardless of his schizophrenia, consistently supporting Adam without judgment.

Ian is a student and antagonist at St. Agatha's, known for his habit of collecting secrets to highlight others' vulnerabilities. His actions towards Adam revolve around exposing and misusing personal information.

Rupert and Basil are hallucinations representing Adam's internalized anger and sarcasm, often vocalizing his more negative thoughts. They surface when Adam feels constrained or powerless.

Paul is Adam's stepfather who initially struggles to comprehend Adam’s illness but eventually becomes supportive and protective. His journey involves overcoming fear to nurture a more understanding relationship with Adam.

Adam's mom is a source of concern for him, as he worries about the impact his schizophrenia may have on her. Her decisions throughout the story signal her belief in Adam's ability to lead an independent life.

The Mob Boss leads a group of hallucinatory gangsters and symbolizes Adam's reluctance to accept his schizophrenia. The character challenges Adam's efforts to dissociate from his mental health reality.

Jason is a hallucination characterized by his nudity and philosophical nature, representing Adam's sense of exposure. His presence emphasizes Adam's discomfort with vulnerability while offering occasional insights.

Book Details
Pages

304

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

2010s

Publication Year

2017

Audience

YA

Recommended Reading Age

13-18 years

Lexile Level

780L

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