Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Asher, Jay. (2007). Thirteen Reasons Why. NY: Razorbill.
ISBN: 978-1595141712
Awards: Florida Teens Read (2008-2009)
WinnerALA Best Books for Young Adults (2008)
Commonwealth Club of California Book Awards (Young Adult, Silver, 2007)
South Carolina Young Adult Book Award Nominee (2009-2010)
ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers (2008)
Sequoyah Children's Book Award (High School, 2010)
Bibliotherapeutic Usefulness: Rape, Depression, Bullying, Suicide, Grief, Regret, Friends
Genre: Fiction
Annotation: Shortly after the suicide of classmate, and crush, Hannah Baker, Clay receives a box of tapes created by her. The tapes are the 13 reasons why she killed herself, to be sent to the 13 people responsible for her decision. But why Clay?
Summary: Clay Jensen doesn't know why he got Hannah Baker's tapes. He didn't do anything wrong. Readers, along with Clay, listen to the voice of Hannah as she tells the story of the events leading up to her suicide. Hannah created the tapes to explain her choice and to let the thirteen people who contributed to her death know what they did. Clay, we learn, had a crush on Hannah, but was too afraid to make a move. Other people on the tapes started rumors about her and didn't see her for who she was, but also there were people who did bad things without remorse. While only a few of the things that happened were truly awful, they all added up to more than Hannah could bear.
Evaluation: I really enjoyed Hannah's story and can relate to her disgust of people who are able to take advantage of others and those who do not take responsibility for their own actions. I also enjoyed Clay as he traveled around the city listening, crying, and being angry at what he heard.