TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY, by Jay Asher
Posted by DBRLTeen on Thursday, March 26th, 2009
Suicide is the third leading cause of death in the United States for young people aged 15 to 24. Of course the only thing many adults can think of to say about this issue is “DON’T!!!” – such a waste to end your life due to temporary circumstances or feelings. So this book by Jay Asher is a good way to think and talk about this serious issue. And the author had a great idea – after high school student Hannah commits suicide, her classmates start receiving a series of cassette tapes in the mail from the girl, who recorded her thoughts and feelings about how they mistreated her. The book is a kind of dialogue between the girl’s voice on the tapes, and the thoughts of Clay, one of her classmates who receives the tapes.
It is difficult to decide whether to recommend this book or not. Although it is thought-provoking, our concern is that some readers may feel Hannah was justified in killing herself because of mistreatment by her classmates. Was she? Or was she just trying to hurt the people who hurt her – understandable maybe, but not really very nice. Teenagers treat each other poorly all the time – is that because they’re mean, thoughtless, and uncaring, or just young and still learning how much unhappiness their actions can cause others? Should Hannah have tried different ways of dealing with her situation, and would they have worked? Are there really high schools where so many students are so bad?
This is a well-written, thought-provoking, “can’t put it down” kind of book, a great basis for discussion of this important issue. But don’t forget it’s only fiction, and no one should base critical life decisions on fiction!
Know someone who needs to talk about feelings of sadness, loneliness, depression or suicide? Suggest they call the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Their website is:
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
April 13th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
this book is sooooooooo amazing i strongly sugest this book to everybody especially the people who find pleasure in hurting others (aka: BULLIES) people should know that somthing that may seem like a meaningless joke to someone can acctually hurt someone else! this book taught me to value life and everybody in this world. you never know how something you said made somebody feel on the inside even if they are laughing on the outside they might be crying their eyes out on the inside. And you never know what all they are going through at home. just always be the nicest you can be to everyone and remember a joke to you could end up being a decisioin to suicide to someone else! choose your words wisely! thank you for taking the time to read this!
October 21st, 2009 at 9:21 am
I found this book to be powerful and amazing. It shows the truth behind suicide and bullying. I think almost everyone can relate to this book, or at least get a better look inside a teenagers life.