13 REASONS WHYBy Camila Rueda

Jay Asher

Jay Asher was born in Arcadia, California on September 30, 1975.

He attended Cuesta College right after graduating from high school. It was here where he wrote two children’s book.

Asher has only published one book but it’s highly recommended.

http://www.jayasher.blogspot.com/

PROTAGONIST

CLAY

Clay is the main character in this book. He is one of the boys that receives all of Hannah’s tapes .

They liked each other before her suicide and they hooked up at a

random party.

ANTAGONISTJUSTIN

Justin is the first to appear on Hannah’s tapes. He was Hannah’s first kiss and he was the one

to spread rumors that began her

suicidal thoughts. He also

allowed a friend to rape his drunk date

at a party.

FAVORITE CHARACTER

TONY

Tony is my favorite character because Hannah has the confidence to

confide in him to make sure all the tapes are passed around to the right people. He’s the one Hannah borrows the tape recorder from him without him knowing the real purpose for it.

LEAST FAVORITE CHARACTER

TYLER

Tyler becomes Hannah’s peeping tom and takes pictures of her. He invades Hannah’s privacy and not only adds to her insecurity but makes her feel as though she has nowhere to go in

which she can feel safe.

Before committing suicide, Hannah Baker records a set of tapes that explain the 13 reasons for her decision. She tells the stories of each and every person that influenced her choice of killing herself. It is now turn for Clay to hear the tapes and he is devastated to know that he was put into these tapes.

PLOT SUMMARY

This book takes place in present day. The book starts off with a package

that appears on Clay’s doorstep. It is addressed to him and out of

curiosity he rips up the package and listens to the first tape.

He becomes speechless to find that they’re from Hannah and is confused as to why he gets them.

EXPOSITION

The story goes on as Clay listens to all the tapes made by Hannah.

He hears the series of events leading up to her suicide and becomes angry towards the people in the tapes.

He only grows with confusion as to why he is part of the tapes.

RISING ACTION

Tony (the one to make sure the tapes are being passed around) finds Clay and gives him comfort as he listens to the tapes.

Clay hears his story and realizes she was only wanting to apologize to him. She wasn’t blaming

him for her suicide. Clay balls as he knows he

could’ve done something to help.

CLIMAX

More stories continue as he listens to the tapes.

Tony tells Clay the real reason why he’s helping Hannah by making sure the tapes are passed around.

FALLING ACTION

Clay packs up the tapes and passes them on to the next person on the list.

RESOLUTION

Theme

The theme of the story is that we are all responsible for our own actions.

Hannah never denies it was her choice to end her life. However, there were many times where someone could have acted differently that may have changed that decision.

RATING

I rate this book a 10!

It really puts you in the emotions Clay is feeling and it’s a book that you simply can’t put down once you start reading it.

Teen Suicide

Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15-to-24-year-olds, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5-to-14-year-olds.

When a teen commits suicide, everyone is affected. Family members, friends, teammates, neighbors, and sometimes even those who didn't know the teen well.

The risk of suicide increases dramatically when kids and teens have access to firearms at home, and nearly 60% of all suicides in the United States are committed with a gun.

The Nemours Foundation 1995-2010

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHynDpYv1Gw

Teen Suicide

Girls think about and attempt suicide about twice as often as boys

Girls tend to attempt suicide by overdosing on drugs or cutting themselves.

Yet boys die by suicide about four times as often as girls

Boys tend to use more lethal methods, such as firearms, hanging, or jumping from heights

There are 6,000 suicides by adolescents each year, and depression is the biggest risk factor.

The Nemours Foundation 1995-2010

  There is a girl

Who sits aloneShe never talks

As she’s on her ownShe sits in the cornerShe tries to fade away

She doesn’t see coloursShe only sees grey

She wears lots of clothesTo cover her cuts she hasNo one wants to know her

‘The emo girl’ she’s known asShe cries out for helpBut no one will see

What’s really hurting herWhy can’t she feel free

She comes off as differentNot like the rest

Most of it’s others judgmentsJust by the way she is dressed

She’s just like any otherBut down with some pain

Don’t just ignore herDon’t make her insane

Lisa French

Why- By Rascal Flatts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXJquRA582s

Should we talk about it?

Suicide is something we've been told we're not supposed to talk about. Someone might do it if we do.

Since we discontinued talking about it death rates have been rising.

There’s a growing conversation in college and in high school students about suicide.

We believe if we talk, we can help.

Irvine, Martha. "Youth Push for Louder Conversation About Suicide."

Less risky

Some pediatricians and mental health professionals believe that many teen suicides can be prevented through a five- to 10-minute questionnaire that singles out at-risk teens for follow-up diagnosis and treatment.

Borrell, Brendan. "Some Pros and Cons of Screening Teenagers."

How to tell

There's no interest in school and grades fall.  They stop spending time with friends.  Sleep problems are common--either not being able

to fall asleep at night or wanting to sleep all day.  Appetite is out of whack. There's either no desire

for food, or the person seems to be eating all the time.

Everything seems hopeless, and there's the feeling it will never get better.

Headaches, stomachaches, or other aches and pains appear.

It's impossible to concentrate or make a decision.

How to help Make an effort to be with your

friend, even though it might not be easy. Depressed people tend to feel isolated.

Don't use false cheerfulness. Your friend may feel you aren't taking the problem seriously.

Don't blame. Depression is no one's fault.

Don't get angry. It's nothing personal if your friend doesn't respond to your help.

Express your own feelings. If you don't want to listen to your friend's woes again, just say so. Go out and have fun and don't feel guilty.

Get adult help. If your friend talks about suicide, or you're worried for any other reason, talk to your parents, your friend's parents, your school counselor.

Bibliography

Arbetter, Sandra. "DEPRESSION: WAY BEYOND THE BLUES." current helth 2 december 1993: 4-10.

Irvine, Martha. "Youth Push for Louder Conversation About Suicide." Daily Register (Harrisburg, IL) 09 Oct 2009: n.p. SIRS Researcher. Web. 11 March 2010.

Borrell, Brendan. "Some Pros and Cons of Screening Teenagers." Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA) 03 Aug 2009: E5. SIRS Researcher. Web. 11 March 2010.

Nock, Matthew K. "About Teen Suicide."—. About Teen Suicide. June 2008. 1995 <http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/behavior/suicide.html#>.

 American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. May 2008. <http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/teen_suicide>.