Thirteen Reasons Why - Winners

Congratulations goes to....

Patty K.

and 

Rebecca D.

You each won a copy of Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. I have your addresses and have forwarded them on. Thank you to everyone who entered. I really love this book and hope you all get a chance to read it.

Thirteen Reasons Why & 13RW Project

Thirteen Reasons Why is the story of a girl named Hannah Baker who takes her own life. But before she does, she records several cassette tapes explaining why and sends them to the people she feels pushed her toward that decision. The story is told from the point of view of Clay Jensen who spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah’s voice as his guide. He becomes a first-hand witness to Hannah’s pain, and learns the truth about himself—a truth he never wanted to face.

The anti-bullying anthem was published in hardcover in October 2007 by Razorbill, and quickly became a word-of-mouth favorite among teenaged readers with fans claiming, “This book changed my life.” The novel has been on the New York Times children’s hardcover bestseller list for 65 weeks, foreign rights have been sold into 30 countries and it has been acquired by Universal Pictures and will star Selena Gomez.

Penguin launched the 13RW Project at www.13RWProject.com as a place for fans of Thirteen Reasons Why to record their thoughts, stories, videos and photos relating to the book, and to view what other readers from all across the country have shared. Each review is logged on a map to show the many locations that viewers are posting from, and all content is shareable through Facebook and Twitter.

I think this site is truly amazing and I encourage you all to post your reviews. I did! If you would like to read my audio review, please go HERE.

Jay Asher lives on the central coast of California with his wife and son. His favorite part of being an author is speaking with his readers at schools and libraries across the country.

You can find Jay on his blog and Twitter. The side bar of his blog shows some amazing cover art of his foreign editions. I love the Brazilian cover!

To celebrate the 13RW Project, I have two copies for two lucky winners. I encourage you to read, review, and pass along this book to someone who needs it. A library, a friend, somebody.

Add to Goodreads

*giveaway closed*

Audio Review - TH1RTEEN R3EASONS WHY by Jay Asher

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker-his classmate and crush-who committed suicide two weeks earlier. Hannah’s voice explains that there are thirteen reasons she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out why. 

I listened to TH1RTEEN R3EASONS WHY with my teenage daughter on a (very) long car trip to Oklahoma. I knew the subject would be sensitive, but I have heard so many wonderful things about this book that there was no way I could pass it up.

I loved having the voice of Clay and Hannah spoken aloud. It is easy to get lost or turned around in a book with dual perspectives. Hearing two distinct voices helps keep the story straight - especially for a young reader.  The faint whispers from Clay into Hannah's scenes gave me the chilly-bumps. Clay would quietly ask Hannah questions. He would plead and apologize. Those scenes, where Clay had a hushed voice, were the most touching part of the story.  I think if I read the book I would have missed some of the emotion.

They story itself is an important one. Suicide. It is a sensitive subject, but one that can not be ignored. This was a great opportunity for me to speak with my daughter about the importance of a community and the roles people play. We all teach our children "Sticks & Stones," but hurtful words carry weight. They settle to the bottom of your heart and can lay there for a lifetime. I think every teenager should hear Hannah's story. Better yet, read with your child and have a conversation!

Blurb from Ellen Hopkins: Every once in awhile you come across a book that you can't get out of your mind, one you have to rush back to if you must put it down for some reason. Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why is one of those books, and is at the very top of my personal "Must-Read" list.

If you know anyone who has talked (or even joked) about committing suicide - DON'T ignore them. Ask for help!

Happy Reading!