29. Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher (Audio Book)

Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher (Audio Book)

ISBN: 978-0-7393-5650-0

Listening Library, New York, 2007

Total playing time: 6 hrs 25 min.

Plot Summary

High school student, Clay Jensen, arrives home to find a package by his door with no return address.  Opening it, he finds that it is a shoebox with seven cassette tapes recorded by his crush, Hannah Baker.  However, Hannah committed suicide two weeks earlier and Clay soon discovers that the tapes contain the thirteen reasons why she did it.  She explains on tape that the thirteen reasons were caused by thirteen people and each of them will receive the tapes, with the first person passing it to the second one and so on.  If the tapes do not go on to the next person, Hannah threatens that she has made copies that will be released to the whole school, exposing each reason’s secret.  Shocked, Clay has no idea what reason he could have possibly given Hannah to do what she did.  The only way for him to find out, though, is to listen to the tapes.

Critical Evaluation

I really enjoyed listening to the audio book for Th1rteen R3asons Why.  While I am sure that it is just as wonderful to read, listening to the story added a unique element.  Rather than reading the words that Hannah is speaking, it was as if I was sitting down with Clay and playing the cassette tapes, reacting to hearing Hannah’s voice for the first time and commenting on her story along with him.  The aspect of the novel that most affected me was the importance placed on the little interactions we have with people.  Hannah’s depression is not caused by one single event, but by a string of interactions with people that have no idea how big of an impression they made on her.  Although there are several small reasons on her list, they all build onto one another to combine with the more devastating reasons and weigh heavy on Hannah’s mind, causing her to fear forming a connection with anyone.   Her fear of connection isolates her from others, including her family, making her feel as if she is alone in the world and no one truly cares about what happens to her.  Ultimately, the theme of being aware of the ways you impact others stuck with me well after the book was over.  While Hannah seemed so happy to those around her, no one imagined that the things they did had such an effect on her and led her to contemplate suicide.  Therefore, because there are many times in which we cannot truly know what is going on with someone, the novel emphasizes the importance of treating others with respect and kindness.

Reader's Annotation

Still reeling from the suicide of his crush, Hannah Baker, Clay Jensen gets a package of cassette tapes on his doorstep.  Putting the first cassette in his player, Clay hears Hannah’s voice and she’s about to list the reasons for her suicide, and Clay is one.

Information About the Author 
Jay Asher was born in Arcadia, California on September 30, 1975. He grew up in a family that encouraged all of his interests, from playing the guitar to his writing. He attended College right after graduating from San Luis Obispo High School. It was here where he wrote his first two children’s books for a class called Children’s Literature Appreciation. After high school, he had decided he wanted to become an elementary school teacher. He then transferred to California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where he left his senior year in order to pursue his career as a serious writer. 

Asher has worked at an independent bookstore, an outlet bookstore, a chain bookstore, and two public libraries.  He hopes, someday, to work for a used bookstore. When he is not writing, Jay plays guitar and goes camping.  Thirteen Reasons Why is his first published novel. (information from author’s website: http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/author.php and author's Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Asher)

Genre

Young Adult – Realistic/Mystery/Suspense

Curriculum Ties

English - Reading Comprehension and Literary Response and Analysis

Booktalking Ideas

1. Focus on Clay’s feelings toward Hannah.

2. Imagine the reaction that one of the recipients of the tapes has when they hear Hannah tell their story.

3. Discuss the impact that rumors can have on an individual.

4. Talk about the isolation Hannah felt from her family and schoolmates.

Reading Level/Interest Age

14+

Challenge Issues

The novel has some swear words, teen drinking, and sexual situations, as well as violent acts such as rape and suicide.

When confronted with complaints about this novel, librarians should become familiar with the material and its content.  Turn to reviews from publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, School Library Journal, and Booklist, as well as reviews from teens that have read it.  Also, it is beneficial for librarians to present reasons backed by the ALA in support of intellectual freedom.  As stated in the Library Bill of Rights:

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Why Include Book in Selection? 

The audio book was included on the YALSA list for 2008 Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults.