Thirteen Reasons Why

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Author's Website: http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/

ISBN: 978-1-59514-171-2

Publisher: Razorbill

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Age: 15-18

Awards: Booklist, 2007. Hornbook, 2008. School Library Journal, 2007

Plot Summary: When Clay receives a package of seven tapes in the mail from Hannah who committed suicide the week before, he embarks on an emotional journey to hear first hand the 13 reasons why she made the decision and hopes that he wasn't one of the reasons. He is then tasked with mailing the tapes to the next person on the list.

Critical Evaluation: This heartbreaking tale will captivate the reader from the very beginning. Asher successfully weaves a powerful story of suicide, innocence and depression leaving the reader entranced from the very beginning. Asher differentiates Hannah's voice on the tapes from Clay's narration by using italics which cleverly offers two perspectives working simultaneously to complete the story.

Reader's Annotation: A young teen mails 7 tapes to a friend containing the 13 reasons that she committed suicide.
Booktalking Ideas: Suicide, Rumors, Rape

Challenge issues if any (how you would defend and materials available in challenge situation: Although this book contains several hot topics including rape and suicide, it is handled very delicately. I think any rape victim, or teen contemplating suicide would benefit from this read.
Why did you include this book: Not only is this a captivating read, but it broaches the important topic of suicide that should be discussed more openly.

Quote: “You don’t know what goes on in anyone’s life but your own. And when you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re not messing with just that part. Unfortunately, you can’t be that precise and selective. When you mess with one part of a person’s life, you’re messing with their entire life."