Ambitious teenager Craig Gilner intends to achieve great success in life. To do this, he must enter the best school, so that he can then get into the best university and get the best job. However, having passed the Manhattan Academy entrance exam with flying colors, the guy is faced with an exorbitant study load. He stops eating and sleeping, loses faith in himself and becomes disillusioned with life. To survive the crisis, Craig goes to a psychiatric hospital, where his neighbors in the department become very colorful personalities. Here the guy will find the support he needs and even find love, look at his problems from a different angle and find the meaning of life. Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, created a surprisingly touching story about an unexpected path to happiness.