Thirteen Reasons Why (by Jay Asher)

I absolutely loved this book. It's my favorite book of all time. This book is gorgeously written, haunting and just all over great. It deals with topics such as rape, murder, drugs, alcohol, depression and, of course, suicide. Though I know some parents will be a bit protective with letting their kids read this because of the topics but the book is amazing and letting your kid read this will only broaden their horizon and teach them about valuable life lessons. Man that sounded cheesy.

I love this book. It's tearjerking and heartfelt, and I couldn't stop reading. I think all teens today should read it, but only if they're mature enough to handle the concept. Suicide is a scary subject, but one that should be talked about.

The only redeeming character is a boy that befriended the main character. Ironically the suicide girl wants to make him feel badly after she committed suicide. At the end of the book it depicts this boy as feeling responsible and feeling that he should try to help other lonely kids. So if this book conveys the msg don't say anything that is mean, fine, but the msg should also include if you feel someone might commit suicide seek help from an adult. Responsible adults were absent from this book. It is a depressing book and unfortunately does not present information on how to deal with a suicidal person.

This book was really good. There are some things in this book that I would not reccomend for younger teens. But otherwise it was good. It kept you thinking and you were drawn in by the tapes.

Thirteen Reasons Why is wracked with emotion, and can be hard to read the first time, purely because it has the power to devastate the reader. But do not be taken in by this- though the message is good, characters developed, and plot well-timed and executed, I find that I like it less and less each time I read it. After reading, you are supposed to feel sympathy for and be understanding to people with suicidal thoughts. I know people who have attempted suicide, and I feel for them and understand their struggles, but I just could not stand Hannah. Humans need love and attention, so I understand why Hannah put herself in the position to be hurt again and again, but she went looking in all the wrong places. It's an accurate portrayal- often teens don't go to parents or counselors for help - but infuriating (perhaps this is Asher's intention). Hannah's suicide wasn't drawn to be inevitable, which made it all the more tragic tragic, but it was romanticized. Hannah seemed almost a hero for sticking through these trials leading up to her suicide, and Clay loves her through it all. Suicide in and of itself doesn't seem a crazy or dark option- merely one that cannot be taken back. There is a more graphic scene near the end, when Hannah allows a boy she doesn't like to fondle her. Teens drink and party often.

This was a great book. I wouldn't recommend it for an elementary school aged child, but middle and high school students should definitely read this book. It sends a message to kids on how you should treat people well, and though you may not realize it, every negative thing you do has a negative effect. It can be used to teach tweens and teens to be decent people, not to mention how they should reach out to someone they think might be in trouble.

I think this book is one all teenagers should read to deal with angst and suicide awareness but it involves some very adult subjects that a teen has to handle maturely.

I thought this book was very well written, and being that I'm 18 I dind't find to much wrong with it. Althought it is not something I would recommend for younger ages. I lent this book to some of my friend's when I was done with it and it was interesting to see the mixed reviews, some of them understood why I loved it so much while others couldn't understand what just happened, they had been hoping for a perfectly happy ending in which Hannah had saved herself - which of course if that had happened we wouldn't have a book. I myself was hoping maybe she went back to her home town and just didn't tell anyone. But the book is very informative it covers a subject most authors tend to shy away from and doesn't just mention it. The book is full of teen problems - I mean not every teen may have a peeping tom, or a party every weekend - but a lot of us go through points in our life where we're harrassed by someone, or are feeling down and just need to be told that we're special to somone. I really enjoyed it and although it may have certain thins that are off putting to you, I think the book is a must read for all teenagers. There's never a reason to kill yourself, and everyone who feels that way needs to look for some help, whether it's a friend, or a help line, just because someone says something about you, or people talk about you behind your back, doesn't mean any of it's true.

Love the book. It left me scarred with the fact that someone could face so much in just about 17 years of her life It made me cry. But like Ruby29290 said it's better to know earlier then later on in life so you could be prepared. This is one of my fav books though!