"Thirteen Reasons Why" by Jay Asher

Four Stars - Loved It

This book should be required reading for anyone who has, works with, was, or might ever com e into contact with a teen.

Clay had no idea what to expect when he began listening to the cassette tapes he received in a mysterious package, but it definitely wasn’t this. The tapes were made by Hannah Baker, a classmate who recently died, and tell her story and the reasons that lead to her suicide. There are thirteen stories, one for each person who will receive the tapes and be made to understand why.

Clay has to listen to all of them. To find out what happened to Hannah, as well as who sent them to him and who is next on the list. He spends the next twelve or so hours listening to Hannah tell her own story and lead him to different locations around town where Hannah’s life was changed and where his will now be forever altered as well.

I actually listened to this book on CD and that is how it should be read; it was amazing. I think the whole premise comes across even stronger because the reader is listening to Hannah right along with Clay. It was amazingly powerful and I found myself tearing up more than once. It was a direct, heavy look at how our actions can affect each other and how intentionally or unintentionally cruel people can be.

Asher boldly tackles taboo issues that often are breezed over and never directly addressed, opening them for discussion in a new way.

It’s a powerful read for both teens, who are probably dealing with some of these issues currently, and adults, who can relate from past experiences. This book would be an excellent choice for adults to read with teens as it would open the door to some conversations that might be difficult to approach on their own. It definitely made me think about my parenting style and how I’m going to approach my own children’s teen years.