After reading Thirteen Reasons Why, senior Ashley Wiltrout realized that the topic of teen suicide was one that needs to be discussed more freely, rather than to be avoided.
“I think at this point in time, it’s almost crucial for this topic to be discussed,” Wiltrout said. “It’s all too often that you see something about a teen killing themselves on the news.”
Author Jay Asher has taken the writing world by storm with his debut novel Thirteen Reasons Why. This New York Times bestseller is a great read that teaches a very important lesson every teenager should learn.
Thirteen Reasons Why brings to light a very controversial topic for a young adult novel, teen suicide. Through its duel narration we learn that the main female character, Hannah Baker has committed suicide before the book even begins. She tells her story through a set of cassette tapes she recorded before her death.


Hannah reveals to the reader her 13 reasons for ending her life, but more importantly the 13 people she holds responsible. Through Hannah’s stories, Asher shows how petty high school cruelty can really affect someone negatively. “Hannah was just an ordinary girl with ordinary problems, it was the lack of understanding from her peers that drove her to her breaking point.” said senior Brittany Myers.

Hannah teaches everyone who reads that kindness is key. You never know how someone may be feeling, or what they may be hiding behind a smile. Someone may have bigger problems then you could ever imagine. The things you say really do make an impact.
All Hannah needed was for someone to care, someone willing to listen, but instead she found nothing but hateful people and cruel words. “(After reading) I couldn’t stop thinking of how other people see me,” said senior Katie Siwula, “and if I have, in any way helped or hurt someone the way Hannah was.”
Thirteen Reasons Why is a book for all ages. Though it was written to target young adults, parents and children alike can take away from Asher’s brilliant work. Its pages are filled with such suspense and raw emotion that even the most skeptical of readers would be hard-pressed to find a flaw in its message.