‘13 Reasons Why’
By Jay Asher
Clay Jensen receives a mysterious package with no return address one day after school. At first he is excited at the prospect of the seven audio cassettes found within, but when he pushes “play” and hears the voice of Hannah Baker, a girl from his high school who committed suicide, his excitement turns to fear and pain.
Before her death, Hannah documented the 13 reasons why she made the decision to end her life. Each of the cassette sides contains the story of one person’s actions or inactions that contributed to her inability to cope. Clay is one of those people and he has no idea what he did. He is terrified to find out, but can’t risk all of the tapes becoming public, so must listen to each and every one.
Hannah’s stories and Clay’s reactions alternate as the book progresses. As each cassette progresses, readers see Clay’s reactions and empathize with his agony over how he could have had a role in Hannah’s misery. He spends an entire night listening to Hannah’s account, wandering the streets of their town guided only by her voice and a map she left in his locker. Each story tears Clay apart a little more as the anticipation to hear his own story grows.
Suicide and thoughts of suicide are very real dangers for today’s teens, and Asher treats the subject with the gravity that it deserves without spilling too much into melodrama. Not only does he address Hannah’s overwhelming feelings of isolation and despair, he gives special attention to Clay and the other characters left behind. Clay is confused about why Hannah, a girl he admired greatly (if from afar), could have come to such a desperate decision, and Hannah’s stories bring to light the fact that we never really know our effect on other people. This is a gripping story that, once started, will not be put down until finished.
“13 Reasons Why” is a preliminary nominee for the Missouri Gateway Readers Award and is recommended for older teens.
‘Right Behind You’
By Gail Giles
Kip McFarland is an angry boy in Alaska dealing with the loss of his mother and the resentment he feels towards his father.
When Bobby Clarke comes by to show off his birthday present — a baseball glove from his mother — Kip can’t keep it together. In a jealous rage, he douses Bobby with gasoline, grabs a lighter and tosses it at his 7-year-old neighbor. Bobby dies three days later, and 10-year-old Kip is admitted to a mental facility for delinquent teens.
After several years with the “Loon Platoon,” his therapist deems him ready for civilian life. To protect themselves from the rage of their Alaskan community, Kip, his father and his new stepmother move to the lower 48 with new names and a cautious hope. Wade (aka Kip) begins school and struggles to fit in. After several humiliating episodes, he joins the swim team, gets a girlfriend and is accepted in the “in” crowd. Despite therapy and his status at school, Wade’s guilt and self-loathing get the better of him and he confesses to his new friends about Bobby. This unleashes a familiar anger from his small town, and his family is forced to move again.
Wade’s parents make it clear that their move to the Texas coast is their last chance to start over. If Wade tells of his past again, there is nowhere left for them to run. Wade seems to be in control until he starts falling for Sam, his beautiful but troubled neighbor. He feels compelled to tell her everything about his past — everything about Bobby. Will she accept him or will his actions cause his family to be ostracized from yet another town?
Giles masterfully tells the story of one teen’s struggle with guilt, self-loathing and self-sabotage. Readers will be riveted from the first page to the satisfying conclusion.
Right Behind You is a preliminary nominee for the Missouri Gateway Readers Award for the 2009-10 award and is recommended for older teens.
Cari Boatright Rérat is the teen librarian at Joplin Public Library.
Globe Life
Related Photos
Discussion
Book review: ‘13 Reasons’ a gripping story of desperate decision
- Globe Life
-
-
Prototype of a drying rack for Stars of Hope earns award, emotional response
Michael Moritz, Travis Coffee and Kenneth Paylor had no idea that an assignment for their senior design class at Missouri Southern State University would win an award or the emotional gratitude from a service organization.
-
Ryan Richardson: Groups give tips for preventing dog bites
When I was a teenager in the '90s I had an unfortunate incident with my neighbor's dog, a Brittany, that I had grown up with. It took a chunk out of my thigh when I went into the neighbors' yard to retrieve a ball.
-
Frankie Meyer: Information is only as good as its source
Those details later become crucial as contradictory information is found, which it will be. How can one decide which detail is correct if the sources of the details are unknown?
-
Jeana Gockley: Library lines up reading club books
The Joplin Public Library's annual Summer Reading Club kicks off on Tuesday, May 28, so in preparation for a great summer of reading, I have been digging for titles that fit with this year's "Dig Into Reading" theme.
-
Frankie Meyer: Prepare for holiday visits to cemeteries
Memorial Day weekend is the ideal time to not only decorate the graves of loved ones, but also learn the location of unmarked graves -- and learn about relatives who are buried nearby. That weekend is also a great time to contact living relatives.
-
Patty Crane: Mystery series should appeal to Reacher fans
In the novel "Taken" by Robert Crais, a bajadores is a predator that kidnaps people being smuggled into the country. The bajadores, the Syrian, demands ransom from families of the people he kidnaps. His ransom demands are low, and as long as the families pay, the demands continue.
-
Ryan Richardson: Harness works better than a leash
This is the time of year to take your dog outside to enjoy the weather. You both get exercise, you bond more, and it gives you an opportunity to work together as a team. I take my dog out as much as I can, and my dog is happy to see other dogs when we go on walks.
-
Mutual admiration: Academic Team members thank teachers for inspiration, drive
Members of The Joplin Globe's All-Area Academic Excellence Team thanked teachers for inspiring them to push themselves during a recognition banquet Monday at Missouri Southern State University.
-
Linda Cannon: Book covers subtleties' effects on humans
I'm always a sucker for books on what makes people tick, so I grabbed "Drunk Tank Pink: And Other Unexpected Forces that Shape How We Think, Feel, and Behave" by Adam Alter as soon as I saw it. Alter holds a Ph.D. in applied psychology from Princeton and is an assistant professor at NYU.
-
Frankie Meyer: Old home sites treasures to discover
We genealogists do a similar activity as part of our research. The treasures that we seek are old home sites. Instead of using GPS coordinates, we use clues such as the presence of rusted metal, cellar holes and vintage plants.
- More Globe Life Headlines
-
Huge Tornado Kills Dozens Near Oklahoma City
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
Commuters Face Delays After Conn. Train Accident
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
