Tough Stuff: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

There are some books that you initially read the blurb about and the first thing you think is... "Why on EARTH would I want to put myself reading that? I read to escape the ugly things of this world not become entrenched in them!" or you say "I just don't think I like 'that kind' of book.

That is exactly how I felt when I saw this book at Barnes and Noble. I saw it a few times there, at Wal Mart and at Target when I finally decided to read the first chapter at Barnes and Noble.

The first chapter turned into an entire reading of the book in one sitting. I couldn't put it down. It was riveting.

Thirteen Reasons Why

Hannah Baker wasn't exactly the prettiest girl in school, but she wasn't the ugliest either. She wasn't the smartest, wasn't the dumbest, wasn't the most popular, and she wasn't the least popular. And to Clay Jensen she was perfect just as she was. Which is why he was shocked when two weeks ago she committed suicide. He didn't understand. They weren't dating but they were kind of friends, and there had been one night where he thought he might have the guts to tell her how he felt. Now though he knew, there would be no more chances.

One morning Clay finds a box filled with cassette tapes sitting on his porch. He finds a cassette player and when he puts the tape in... he can't believe what he hears. It's Hannah. Hannah cracking morbid jokes, Hannah mocking her own situation and the situation she has now put others in. Hannah made recordings before she died... about why she did it. She had 13 reasons and people that she felt lead to her demise. These tapes are to be delivered to thirteen different people to listen to and then pass on.

It sounds like the most depressing book in the world but you will be surprised by Hannah's demeanor. She makes witty jokes and has a biting commentary about the events in her life. Some of the "reasons" she gives are heartbreaking and others you wouldn't think were a big deal until she lets you in on the big picture effects. It makes you take a look at the things you have done and said in your life... what little things in your life you may have done that hurt others.

This is a great book for kids in middle school/ high school because it CHALLENGES them to think about the things they do and say and the effects their words/actions have on others

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl

Tough Stuff: Laurie Halse Anderson

Back when I was in middle school I remember hearing about a book that was being passed around about a very taboo subject. When you are in middle school taboo can mean just about anything but in this case, it was about something heartbreaking and true.

Speak

Due to traumatic events that are not revealed until later, Melinda Sordino doesn't really talk. She is now in high school and things are not looking up. In fact she hates it. It seems that nothing and no one REALLY cares about anything. Though she doesn't really talk to others she does a LOT of internal monologuing.

As you read it and hear "Melinda"'s voice ring out in all of her clever observations you find yourself wishing she had written for your school newspaper.

Melinda does enjoy one class in high school. Art. She is a tremendous artist and this year she has been assigned... trees. She will not only paint them, but sculpt them, collage them, and anything more it takes to become fully entrenched in the beauty of a tree. As you can imagine Melinda is initially not very happy about this... but things change. She comes to realize more about herself as her art progresses and the strength it takes to be brave and most importantly "Speak" about what has caused her to become silent.

This book his funny and heartbreaking and BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN! Laurie Halse Anderson has a fantastic YA voice in her writing!

Wintergirls

Lia's estranged best friend Cassie is dead. Though she doesn't know the specifics she knows that the girl she hadn't spoken to in months called her 33 times the night she died alone in a hotel room.

Their estrangement came after Lia and Cassie began a deadly contest... "I swear to be the skinniest girl in school" one would say, "Skinnier than you" said the other. This pact will change them both forever and its a book you cannot put down.

Since writing Speak, Anderson has done other work, however, it wasn't until I heard about Wintergirls was I excited to read any of her other work. As I said before Anderson has a heart for young people and the voice of a young person. She writes this book in diary format and when you see a young girl dialoguing every calorie (even just in her mind/journal) it reminds you of the dangers you only have seen before on Lifetime.

Laurie Halse Anderson is ENTIRELY worth reading and her books address issues that make you think and introduce conversations that are tough but necessary.

That's all for now!

Signing off,

Reader Girl