13 Reasons Why

Title:13 Reasons Why (Based on a book by Jay Asher published in 2007)

Created for Television by: Brian Yorkey

Production Companies: July Moon Productions and Kicked to the Curb Productions

Network: Netflix

Series Dates: 2017-2020

Plot Summary

Clay Jensen is close to being  valedictorian and often  studies on weekends instead of going to parties. Clay’s classmate, Hannah, recently commits suicide. After Hannah’s suicide, Clay receives a package in the mail with no return address. There are seven tapes inside a shoebox containing seven two-sided audio cassettes.

In watching you learn that the tapes were recorded by Hannah before she commits suicide, sharing heart wrenching events that lead to her suicide. . Clay was not close friends with Hannah, and at first is confused why he got the tapes but as he listens further, he learns her had a place in her world/ mind. He experiences and gets a glimpse of the struggles she had.  

Critical Evaluation

"13 Reasons Why" based off of the critically acclaimed books written by Jay Asher. Based on the book, changed for the screen the characters are rich, complex and storytelling is compelling. Although the show meant to discuss suicide and the ways different people can play into someone's pain, there were many critiques how the show disregarded what is known as suicide contagion. 
There were many critiques of the show, find here and here. There are trigger warnings being there are graphic rape scenes. There women of the cast seem to objectified. The cinematography was engaging, and characters richly complex. 



Reader's Annotation

High school senior Clay receives tapes from Hannah, a classmate who recently commits suicide. 



About Jay Asher (Author)


Jay Asher is a contemporary American author who writes books in the Young Adult genre. Born on September 30, 1975 in Arcadia, California, Asher graduated from San Luis Obispo High School, went on to study at Cuesta Community College, and eventually transferred to California Polytechnic State University. While in high school, Asher wrote two children’s books for a class called Children’s Literature Appreciation. This experience sparked his passion for writing books for young readers. Years later in university, it was this passion that caused Asher to drop out during his senior year to pursue a serious career in writing.

It took Asher around twelve years to sell his first book. His debut novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, is critically acclaimed and on bookshelves around the globe. The novel is a gripping tale of a young girl and the catalysts that drove her to commit suicide. Asher’s inspiration for the book came from the suicide attempt of a close relative. This young woman was close to the age of Hannah Baker, the protagonist of Thirteen Reasons Why, when she made her suicide attempt, and so Asher used her state of mind and thoughts to help him craft the book

Source: https://www.gradesaver.com/author/jay-asher


Genre

Coming-of-Age; Realistic Fiction




Booktalking Ideas

This television show can be mentioned along with the book series by Jay Asher as a bonus material.


Interest Level

Grades 9-12; Ages 14-18


Selection Rationale

 13 Reasons Why. My daughter watched it, loved it and so did all her friends. There are many entry points to discuss, and curate conversations on support systems for our young adults dealing with most of the content of the series: depression, suicidal ideation, rape and bullying.