By Camila Rueda

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

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.

ANTAGONIST JUSTIN 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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

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

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

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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

There is a girl Who sits alone She never talks As she’s on her own She sits in the corner She tries to fade away She doesn’t see colours She only sees grey She wears lots of clothes To cover her cuts she has No one wants to know her ‘The emo girl’ she’s known as She cries out for help But no one will see What’s really hurting her Why can’t she feel free She comes off as different Not like the rest Most of it’s others judgments Just by the way she is dressed She’s just like any other But down with some pain Don’t just ignore her Don’t make her insane Lisa French

Why- By Rascal Flatts  82s 82s

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

Bibliography  Arbetter, Sandra. "DEPRESSION: WAY BEYOND THE BLUES." current helth 2 december 1993:  Irvine, Martha. "Youth Push for Louder Conversation About Suicide." Daily Register (Harrisburg, IL) 09 Oct 2009: n.p. SIRS Researcher. Web. 11 March  Borrell, Brendan. "Some Pros and Cons of Screening Teenagers." Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, CA) 03 Aug 2009: E5. SIRS Researcher. Web. 11 March  Nock, Matthew K. "About Teen Suicide." —. About Teen Suicide. June  American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. May