by Jay Asher
Book Website
Characters
Hannah Baker
Clay Jensen
Tony
Other high school students
One high school teacher/guidance counselor
Grade Level Appropriate For: high school (contains mature content)
Classroom recommendations:
- PLEASE know the content before using it in your classroom
- high school book clubs
- high school literature circles
- summer reading
Review
13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher is a compelling story about issues many high school students can relate to. I highly recommend high school students (or possibly mature 8th grade students) read this and have conversations with peers or adults about the content.
Hannah Baker is the main character, even though the story takes place after her death. Hannah committed suicide after her reputation at a new school was ruined by false rumors and the inconsiderate and inappropriate actions of others. Before her death, Hannah created audio tapes to be delivered to 13 people on a list whose actions contributed to the ultimate decision to end her life. According to the tapes, each person on the list is required to listen to every cassette, and then pass them on to the next name mentioned in her recorded story.
Hannah's heartbreaking story begins as one young man, Clay Jensen, listens to the audio tapes. Through Clay, Hannah's story unfolds, leading readers on a journey they will never forget. The characters are described in enough depth for the reader to feel immediately angered or sympathetic or flat out furious towards them. The setting is so typically small town America that it can make a reader feel like this could have happened in her or his hometown. As I read the descriptions of parties, football players and cheerleaders, the people and events of this story simply confirm the idea that this could have happened anywhere.
The "relatableness" of this story contributed to the intense emotional reaction I had as I read this story. I was drawn into Hannah's experience, and was pulling for her to triumph over those doing her wrong. This book should be used with students in a setting in which they can discuss their feelings and concerns related to this book. I can see it being an exceptional choice for a book study, where adolescents feel comfortable discussing sensitive (yet, extremely important) issues. Conversations can be centered on so many topics, listed below, that will have adolescents exploring issues central to their own lives.
I highly recommend this text.
Classroom Uses
To discuss the following topics:
- Rumors
- Male/female relationships
- A female's right to own her own body
- Respect for others
- Suicide
- Helping others (reaching out to others)
- Asking for help from others
- What adults can do to help teens
To explore characters and how they grow, develop, face challenges, and respond to challenges over time.
Plot structure.
Author's voice.
