COMPASSION

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen is shocked to find a box of cassette tapes on his doorstep, recorded by Hannah Baker -- his classmate and crush -- who committed suicide two weeks earlier. As Clay listens to Hannah's voice on the tapes, he hears his name mentioned -- and learns that he is, in some way, responsible for her death. All through the night, Clay keeps listening. Hannah's recorded words lead him on a journey through his small town...

...and what he discovers changes his life forever.

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"A brilliant and mesmerizing debut..." - Kirkus, starred review
"Asher knows how to entertain an audience..." - Publishers Weekly
"...breakneck pace and dizzying emotion..." - School Library Journal
"Very clever premise, strong voice, perfect suspense." - Chris Crutcher
"...a moving, highly original story..." - Teen Book Review

Jay Asher

On the nightstand: A really thick biography of Charles Schulz

Favorite drink while you write: Coffee with cream and sugar

Favorite bookstore: Vroman's

Favorite library: San Luis Obispo Public Library (and not just because I work there)

Pet: I haven't owned a pet since Dodger (a beagle)

Place to write: Linnaea's Café

Inspiration: People watching

Writer-buddies: Robin Mellom & Eve Porinchak (we blog together as The Disco Mermaids)

Cures for writer's block: Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby ice cream (it solves nothing, but it makes me forget there was a problem)

Favorite outfit: Pajama bottoms and a T-shirt

Long-hand or laptop? Laptop (but I often brainstorm long-hand)

Stilettos or Uggs? If it counts, I've worn stilettos for a costume

Author idols: Stephen King & Ray Bradbury

YA novels you recommend:
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway
Vegan, Virgin, Valentine by Carolyn Mackler
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

Website: www.thirteenreasonswhy.com + MySpace

Interviews: Little Willow, Book Divas, ReviewerX

 

rgz LIVE!

Discuss the book with the author himself! Jay Asher will be chatting live at the readergirlz forum on Thursday, July 24th at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST.

The chat will last for about an hour.

Suicide is the only cause of death that's 100% preventable. A lot of factors might put someone at risk for suicide, but a number of things can help prevent it, too.

* Watch this suicide prevention video that was created by Kaela as a school project.

These tunes were hand-picked by the author to accompany his book.

• Never Too Late by Three Days Grace
• Across the Universe by Fiona Apple
• Don't Speak by No Doubt
• The Scientist by Coldplay
• So. Central Rain by R.E.M.
• Two Steps Behind by Def Leppard

What did you think of Thirteen Reasons Why? Speak with other readers at the readergirlz forum, open 24/7.

Here are some things to consider and discuss . . .

What do you think was Hannah’s main motivation in making the tapes? Could there have been other motivations as well?

What would you do if you thought a friend was suicidal?

Why do people gossip or spread rumors?

Why do similar situations affect people differently? For example, why do rumors devastate some people, whereas other people can shrug them off?

What more could Hannah have done to help herself? Why didn’t she do that?

What were your feelings towards Hannah at the beginning of the book? Did your feelings for her change as the story progressed?

When was the last time you did something for someone just so they knew you cared about them?

 

 

Invite: Delivered via audiocassette...of course!

Food: Milkshakes (preferably banana and peanut butter)

Décor: A city map with red stars showing where everyone lives

Movies: The Virgin Suicides, Crash

Crafts: Decorate paper lunch bags, in which you leave anonymous and encouraging notes

 

Recommended by postergirlz, the readergirlz advisory council

Fiction:
Looking for Alaska by John Green
No Laughter Here by Rita Williams Garcia
Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande
Remembering Raquel by Vivian Vande Velde
As Simple as Snow by Gregory Galloway

Non-Fiction:
Without You by Anthony Rapp

 

Join us in August to discuss the Violet series - Violet on the Runway, Violet by Design, and Violet in Private by Melissa Walker.

 

 

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