"More than a stunning debut. It is the announcement of a bold new literary voice"
—Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being a Wallflower

I never knew you personally but I am crying as I type this. ‘It’s Kind Of A Funny Story’ has helped me in ways I would have never imagined. You wrote so beautifully, and I felt connected to Craig is if he was a close friend of mine. The cycling, the anchors, the tentacles, and everything in between was worded in such a perfect way. Today in my english class, my writing prompt was to write about a book you think everyone should read. I wrote yours as my answer. And I meant it. Your book accurately depicts what it is like to fight your own mind everyday, and you covered a huge spectrum of mental illnesses, not just depression like most mental health books do. Speaking of fighting your own mind, I really wish that you would have never had to go through that. You were brilliant, Ned. It’s so unfair to me that your life had to end so soon and I wish you knew how many people were moved by your book and how it helped people better understand mental illness and helped those who struggle with it. I read your book in seven hours ... Read more

It’s been so long since you passed away and I still am finding it hard to accept. I was only six at the time, and I might be fourteen now but I still think about you all the time. You brought so much happiness to my family, my dad especially. He misses you a lot. I do too. I hope that in the time we spent together I could have given you at least 1/4 of the happiness you gave to my family. I still have so many questions. Why? What was the last thing I said to you? Did I do anything I would now regret if I had known what was going to happen? I wish I knew, but I don’t. I was only six. Something I think a lot about is would you be proud of me if you were still here? If heaven does exist, are you proud of me now? You were always an open minded person who saw the best in people so you probably would by default, but I Hope you genuinely would too. And that question haunts me , but I am sort of glad it does because it makes me want ... Read more

I miss you. Plain and simple. Just like Laurel said in the book, there are sometimes no words to describe some things. And this is one of those things. I see you in everything; I see you in the Christmas tree and the ornaments that are hanging on the green branches, I see you in the rings and necklaces I wear, I see you in puppy dogs and shopping carts and everything turquoise. I see you everywhere, that beautiful heart of yours. Sometimes, I wish that I had never had such a good Grandma, because then the pain of you being gone would cease. I wouldn’t cry myself to sleep and beg God to let you come back for just a day. But then I realize: I am the luckiest girl in the world for having such an incredible woman, role model, and Grandmother in my life. I am blessed. So, I hope you’re resting easy up there with God. I hope that you’re playing lots of cards and wearing your favorite color and watching over your grandchildren, all of us, proud. I know I’ll see you again one day, but until then, I promise I will continue to spread the light ... Read more

Eventhough I never met you in person before,I heard stories from my father that you were awesome,cool,kind,friendly and of course,caring. I think grandma is missing you so much. She’s doing okay,except I think nowdays she keeps forgetting quickly. Alzheimer? I think so. But other than that, we’re all doing good. If I had a chance,I would love to get to know you more in person. Oh well, it’s okay. Hope you are doing well up there. I love you.

I miss you. I love you. I’m sorry that when you were here,I didn’t really showed my love towards you. But I really do love you.You taught me to always love everyone even if they are different. I always admire you about how you were nice to everyone. I’m sorry grandpa, I find it a little difficult to be nice ALL the time, society nowdays is hard and harsh.But I promise I’ll try to be nice most of the time ok? Fair enough right? I’m sorry I wasn’t really interactive when I was younger. You always taught me to make my parents proud. Sometimes I wonder how are you doing up there. Hopefully you’re doing well yeah? I’m sure everyone in the family misses you. You and Grandmother are looking after us from above there right? If you were still here,I would tell everything about my life to you,like how I’m doing really well in school, our family is doing great too! Do you remember how we used to go buy milo freeze whenever I come over to your house? And how we used to take afternoon naps together in the living room when I was younger? I miss ... Read more

I know that you’re not dead.I just wanted to to know that your book helped me in many ways. Also, helped me to realize that alive people can be also dead. I’m so sorry that my love letter is in Spanish but I think that is important for you to know that your book has passed around the world. That’s huge. Glad to understand a little piece of you (Hope you read this).

I haven’t forgotten about you. I just feel the aching pain lessen everyday. 5 years seems a long time and sometime they come rushing and crashing back to me and I can’t deal with it all. Other times I feel happy with my life and I don’t want to think about how it all feels. I enjoy life and I have great friends. Sure I get bullied and teased but I can fix it. I know you probably won’t read this but I hope that other people will. I am doing Love Letters to the Dead in school for a book I want to talk about and try to ‘sell’ to my classmates.

I still love you and I hope I won’t forget you.

When reading Love Letters to the Dead I didn’t even think about listening to ur band I thought that it wasn’t for me I know crazy right? But I felt a real connection in this book like my soul that I had lost was there for me waiting. I just fell in love with the entrys that Laural addressed to u I’d always get so excited because well I thought out of the people she wrote to u would understand me better than anyone else & then I listened to “smells like teen spirt” & I just listened to it over & over it was really good. So I thank u & ur music in helping me find my soul again & thank u ava for writing this book to because I feel whole every time I look at it & become instantly happy.

I know you aren’t dead, but our once blossoming relationship is. We started off friends, you were best friends with my neighbor. Then once you got the courage you asked me out, on October 13, 2014, to be exact. We went to the Halloween dance together that Friday and you left early to see a movie. On December 7th we had our first kiss. I remember the taste of cheap Dr. Pepper chapstick on your lips. We made it an inside joke, if we saw each other we would yell “DR. PEPPER!!!”. On February 13th, we went to the Valentine’s Day dance together. That was when we had our first picture taken together. That night was also the fist time we slow danced together. I remember the song ‘Stay With Me’ started playing and you came up behind me and asked me to dance. Later that night, we and couple other people, went to go see a movie. The only movie that was playing ended up being the new Spongebob movie. So during the whole movie we just played in each other’s arms. In March I found out that I was moving to North Carolina. We planned on trying long ... Read more

In this book the first letter goes to you. I want to write you this letter because while I was reading this book, I started tearing up when you were mentioned. I know, why would some 14-year-old girl be writing to Kurt Cobain? Well, I was influenced by a band to listen to Nirvana. I fell in love with the music. I connect with you so much as well. I’m that weird kid who listens to punk ruck and alternative, while everyone else is listening to rap and what not. But you inspired me to learn guitar. The first song i learned was ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ (cliche right?) But you’re message is inspirational. Thank You