Thirteen Reasons Why

Title: Thirteen Reasons Why
Author: Jay Asher
Year: 2007
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age: 8th grade up

Summary: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker--his classmate and crush--who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. (From official website)

Review: I didn't mean to read this book in one night; I sat down to read for a bit before bed. Well past my bed time I was still reading and stayed up to finish the last page. Asher presents a very difficult subject in a way that is deeply moving. He doesn't shy away from suicide and how it makes those left behind feel. They're angry, confused, lost. They just want to know why. Hannah Baker explains it to them. This book is fantastic if you want to shed some tears. I would recommend this book to almost all of my 8th grade girls and anyone who wants to read about real life drama.