Book Review: Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher

Th1rteen  R3asons Why
Jay Asher
Razorbill, 2007
ISBN 1595141715
Hardcover

Imagine you’ve come home and a surprise package is waiting for you.  You’re a high school boy, no money to order anything and it’s not your birthday.  You’re excited opening the book only to discover seven cassette tapes inside.

Cassette tapes — nothing in the house will even play them, but your Dad has an old stereo out on his workbench in the garage.  Listening, you hear the voice of a ghost — Hannah Baker, one of your classmates and a girl you could easily love.  Only a few weeks ago, she committed suicide.

The thirteen sides of the tapes (the last side is blank) take Clay Jensen a night to hear. They include a map, so he can follow along. He learns of the thirteen reasons–and thirteen people–whose actions contributed to Hannah’s death. Clay is one of those people and he dreads learning what part he played in this tragedy. Along the way, he discovers hard truths about his classmates and himself.

I picked up this book solely on Sherman Alexie‘s recommendation.  Alexie‘s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian is one of the most inspiring books I have ever read.  I don’t think any young adult library should be without a copy.  I’m adding Th1rteen R3asons Why to that list.

Reviewed by Rebecca Kyle, April 2010

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May 12, 2010  Tags: , ,   Posted in: Full Reviews

2 Responses

  1. Helen Kiker - May 12, 2010

    This sounds like a very interesting book. I will be looking for it soon.

  2. Carol M - May 13, 2010

    I’ve heard a lot of good things about this book. It’s one I would want my grandchildren to read, too.

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