Thirteen Reasons Why

ANIMOTO http://animoto.com/play/vceeHiVFMzAOvOl1ArJACQ
http://animoto.com/play/kAd1181GrIfP9e2Ejo6PNQ
http://animoto.com/play/My0EV30O6uEmuZKGl0twDQ ( )

I spent most of this book trying not to do three things

1 rush,
2 cry, and/or
3 stop reading.

The adage about stick and stones and words is a bald-faced lie. Words inflict as much or more damage than any action. Teens inflict psychological torture callously and carelessly every single day. Children are taught to accept that torture as part of growing up. I call bullshit. This book proves how deep that bullshit runs. Children should be taught how to defend themselves from the psychological warfare of life. Even moreso, children should be taught the consequences of psychological warfare. Maybe then we wouldn't read fact or fiction of teens killing themselves.

If you have read this far, gold star for you. Seriously.

In my less than humble opinion, this should be mandatory reading for every teacher and adminstrator in the US (maybe the world). It is poignant, lyrical, and scary in its intensity. I think this is my Best Read of 2011. Jay Asher handled the topic of suicide with grace. ( )

My daughter suggested that I read this YA novel, and I must say it was a compelling read. The book is so sad, but also serves as an important reminder and lesson to young people and their teachers, too. ( )

This book changed my life. It shows how you can’t judge a person before you even know them, because, you never know when they might give up on life. I read this book because when I read the inside, I know this would be a book I would enjoy.

The blurb of Thirteen Reason Why got me totally hooked. I mean, cassette tapes to narrate the story? That sounds pretty cool.

The story began with our main character, Clay Jensen, mailing the tape in the post office. Then we were brought back to when he received it, left behind in the front of his door with no return address.

Throughout the story, we listened to the tapes as the Hannah Baker-the girl who committed suicide two weeks earlier-shared her story, the moment when she was humiliated, underestimated, and the guilt she had to carry. This led to her breakdown, and finally, a suicide.

This novel, I think, boldly brought the topic of suicide, how it's commonly happen to teenagers, and ultimately, why we must help them. This was well-written and the execution was good enough, but there were some times when I could not distinguish between Clay's voice and Hannah's voice.

Overall, I'm not totally in love with this, but it's highly recommended if you like Contemporary. ( )