Thirteen Reasons Why

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Thirteen Reasons Why  

Author(s) Jay Asher

Cover artist Christian Fuenfhausen
Country United States
Language English
Genre(s) Young-adult
Publisher Penguin Books
Publication date 2007
Media type Print (Hardback)
Pages 288 pp
ISBN ISBN 978-1-59514-171-2
OCLC Number 85622684
LC Classification PZ7.A8155 Th 2008

Thirteen Reasons Why, also known spelled as Th1rteen R3asons Why, is a 2007 New
York Times best-selling young-adult fiction novel written by Jay Asher. The book was
published by RazorBill, a young adult imprint of Penguin Books. The paperback edition
hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in July 2011. In May 2011, a website called
13RWProject.com launched where fans of the book can record their reviews and
experiences as text, photo or video.

Jay Asher's book has been published in Brazil, Catalonia, Czech Republic, Denmark,
France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Lithuania,
Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Turkey,
United Kingdom, and Vietnam.

Contents
[hide]
 1 Plot
o 1.1 The Thirteen Reasons
 2 Film adaptation
 3 Author's comments on writing
 4 Awards
 5 Noteworthy recognition
 6 References

 7 External links

[edit] Plot
Clay Jensen, a somewhat shy California high school student, returns home from school
one day to find an anonymously-sent package sitting on his doorstep. Upon opening it, he
discovers that it is a shoebox containing seven cassette tapes recorded by the late Hannah
Baker, his classmate and emotional crush who recently committed suicide. The tapes
were initially mailed to one classmate with instructions to pass them from one student to
another, in the style of a chain letter. On the tapes, Hannah explains to thirteen people
how they played a role in her death, by giving thirteen reasons to explain why she took
her life. Hannah has given a second set of tapes to one of their classmates, the identity of
whom Clay later discovers, and warns the people on the tapes that if they do not pass
them on, the second set will be leaked to the entire student body. This could lead to the
public embarrassment and shame of certain people, while others could face physical
harassment or jail time. Through the audio narrative Hannah reveals her pain and
suffering, and the slide into depression that ultimately leads to her suicide.

[edit] The Thirteen Reasons

#1. Justin Foley, the first boy Hannah had ever kissed, who lies and exaggerates
the event by saying that they had gone further than they actually had. This gives
Hannah a negative reputation at her new school, starting her downhill slide.
#2. Alex Standall, the boy who put her down as the "Best Ass in the Freshman
Class" on his Who's Hot/Who's Not List. This action perpetuates the reputation of
promiscuity, and causes her to become an object of sexual harassment for many
other students.
#3. Jessica Davis, one of Hannah's first acquaintances in her new town. She was
jealous of Hannah because Hannah had been put on the Hot list and Jessica
herself was on the Not list. She assumed the rumors that Justin was perpetuating
were true, and abandoned Hannah as a friend, accusing her of betrayal.
#4. Tyler Down, a classmate who was peeping in Hannah's bedroom window at
night and taking pictures of her. Hannah and another girl (Courtney Crimsen)
attempted to catch him in the act, but did not see his face, and were left wondering
who it was. (Hannah later discovers his identity.) Tyler's actions cause Hannah to
feel unsafe in one of her last sanctuaries, her own home.
#5. Courtney Crimsen, a supposedly nice girl who is actually a manipulator who
uses people for popularity. Hannah had thought that they had become friends after
playfully attempting to catch the Peeping Tom (Tyler), but Hannah learns that
Courtney, too, has been manufacturing and perpetuating rumors about her.
#6. Marcus Cooley, a class clown who jokingly asked Hannah out on Valentine's
Day. Realizing that Hannah may have thought he was serious, Marcus went to the
diner where they agreed to meet. When he finds her there, he tries to touch her in
a sexual manner, believing the rumors about her.
#7. Zach Dempsey, another classmate who witnesses the confrontation between
Marcus and Hannah. He offers assistance after Marcus leaves, but is rebuffed by
Hannah. Possibly out of spite, he later steals her "compliment letters" in a Peer
Communication class, when Hannah was in severe need of positive
reinforcement.
#8. Ryan Shaver, the editor of the school newspaper, who befriended Hannah out
of a common interest in poetry. Later, Ryan stole one of Hannah's poems and
published it in the newspaper, and her private poem was dissected and ridiculed
by the entire student body. After Tyler had made her feel unsafe in her home,
Hannah felt like her mind was her last sanctuary, and Ryan had ruined that by
putting up her private thoughts for ridicule.
#9. Clay Jensen (co-narrator), with whom Hannah connected and fell in love.
They once made out at a party, Hannah longing for more. However, at this point
in her life, she was having difficulty connecting with anyone on an emotional
level anymore. Clay was not supposed to be on the list, but she sent him the tapes
because she regretted never getting the opportunity to know him better. Also, she
feels like she owes him an explanation for her behavior. Clay conversely feels
guilty that he didn't try harder to understand Hannah, of whom he was fond.
#10. Justin Foley (again), who, after leaving Jessica Davis passed out in a
bedroom at a party, allows Bryce Walker to enter the room (where she and Clay
where had been kissing before he walked out on her after her nervous meltdown)
and rape her. Unknown to everyone, Hannah was hiding in the closet, and did not
help Jessica either. She holds herself and Justin partially responsible for Jessica's
rape.(although shes says she didn't see anything, due to the fact of her heavy
drinking that night, but heard what was happening.
#11. Jenny Kurtz, a cheerleader who convinced Hannah to accept Marcus' date
proposal. She was giving Hannah a ride home from the party where Jessica was
raped, when she hit and knocked over a stop sign. Jenny refused to report it when
Hannah told her to, and, after Hannah further pressed the matter, kicked Hannah
out of the car. Later that evening, a senior citizen was injured and a student from
their school was killed in an accident caused by the missing stop sign.
#12. Bryce Walker, an older student who engaged in manual sex with Hannah
without her consent and while she showed obvious signs of distress. Hannah
 admits that she did not stop him, though she could have, but also confesses that
she was not attracted to Bryce and did not enjoy the experience.
#13. Mr. Porter, the school counselor whom Hannah hinted to about her plans to
commit suicide. Mr. Porter allowed her to leave his office when their conversation
(which Hannah recorded) upset Hannah. While she had wanted him to convince
her to not kill herself, he suggested simply moving on with her life. In addition, he
failed to schedule a proper follow-up discussion. His poor advice and guidance
was the last straw for Hannah.

[edit] Film adaptation

On February 8th, 2011 Universal Studios picked up Jay Asher's novel to be developed
into a movie. Selena Gomez has been cast to play the main role of Hannah Baker. Taylor
Lautner is one of the options to play Clay Jensen.

[edit] Author's comments on writing

"Writing this book made me realize how fascinated I am by the way people interact...and
the obstacles that keep us from understanding each other better." [1]

This is further illustrated in a quote from the text, in Hannah Baker's voice, "I guess that's
the point of it all. No one knows for certain how much of impact they have on the lives of
other people. Often we have no clue."[2]

[edit] Awards
 2011 - Paperback edition became a #1 New York Times bestseller in the US
 2010 - Georgia Peach Book Awards for Teen Readers [3]
 2009 - International Reading Association Young Adults' Choice list [4]
 2008 - Best Books for Young Adults YALSA [5]
 2008 - Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers YALSA [6]
 2008 - Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults YALSA [7]
 2008 - California Book Award winner - Young Adult [8]

[edit] Noteworthy recognition

 Borders Original Voices finalist
 Barnes & Noble - Top 10 Best for Teeens
 Chicago Public Library Best Books
 Association of Booksellers for Children - Best Books
 New York Times Best Seller for 57 weeks
 Kirkus Reviews Editors Choice
 State Awards (voted by students) in Florida, Kansas, and Kentucky
Also, the book is used as summer reading for students entering high school in some
schools, due to its realistic themes and powerful messages.

[edit] References