Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

             I’ve been scared of this book since it arrived on my shelf.  I bought it.  I knew what it was about.  But I couldn’t bring myself to read it.  I also was very hesitant to let my students read it.  It has been nagging at me for a while, so I had to read it.  And I do not regret it.

            Thirteen Reasons Why is a fictional story about a series of tragic events that happened to Hannah Baker and many of her acquaintances.  The structure of the story is one I have not encountered before – and I think it is brilliant.  Written in an italic font, is the narration of Hannah Baker, in the form of her speaking into cassette tapes, retelling her story.  In a normal font, the reader follows the thoughts of Clay Jensen as he listens to Hannah’s tapes.

            I don’t think I’d be giving anything away by revealing that Hannah Baker committed suicide; that information is on the back cover of the book, and then more specifically on page seven.  But the mystery that makes this book a real page turner is the fact that Hannah has narrated her story onto seven tapes, thirteen of the fourteen sides, each side centered around a person who had something to do with Hannah’s big decision – her thirteen reasons why.  Clay cannot believe it when he starts listening to the tapes.  And he definitely is worried about how he has played a part in Hannah ending her life.  Because the truth is, Clay was in love with Hannah.  But I’m not going in to that story. . .

            As a teacher, nothing is scarier to me than my students thinking about suicide, so the thought of having this novel on my classroom bookshelf really freaks me out, but after reading it, I think any student with any kind of intellect will see the LESSONS that can be learned from this novel.  For example, gossiping can be tragic.  Drinking can be tragic.  Not telling someone exactly how you feel can be tragic.  Not sticking up for an innocent victim can be tragic – for you and for that person.  Oh, there are so many lessons to take from this novel, so I will bring it back to my classroom and put it back on the shelf.