Th1rteen R3asons Why - Jay Asher

Although we were only required to be halfway through Th1rteen R3asons Why, I pushed much further because of the fact that the digital reading or audio version of the book enables you to connect with the book and characters in a much better way. For example, the readings of the cassettes and the interpretations of the main character are recorded in two different voices. For example, the character of Clay is read from a boy, and Hannah is read from a girl. This becomes interesting because you hear their tone of voice fluctuate throughout the book, and you feel as if these characters are actually adolescents.

            Though I have enjoyed all the other books we have read, I connected with this book by Jay Asher the most. I felt that some ways that she was bullied or harassed within the book were ways in which I have experienced or been a part of before. Within her second cassette, she talks about the “Hot or Not” list, which is something that was always taken very seriously in my middle school days (don’t ask me why I won’t have an answer).  This book should be very personal and relatable to adolescents because of bullying and inappropriate behavior. I feel that students and adolescents do not realize the power and impact that their words can have on people. Even though I have not personally been a part of or friends with someone that has committed suicide, I do know that depression and bullying can play a huge role in it. By reading this book within a classroom, students can notice how large of an impact hurtful words and other physical or mental abuse can play on someone’s life.

A key theme that ties into character development is the motif of death in this novel. With the continuous character development between both characters, we realize that from first kiss to last words, Clay finds the worth of life in this novel (through Hannah’s cassette tapes). Like I mentioned above about the power behind words, Clay discovers a possible suicide “risked” person that he seeks to change. We see him progress into this mature-like boy that becomes aware of the people that have lost hope in their own lives. With this in mind, do you think Jay Asher wrote this with intentions to prevent or become more aware of suicide? I believe this should be discussed in class. In addition, do you think that the other people that retrieved the tapes had thoughts on suicide as well, based upon the misery that they had caused Hannah? Alternatively, is this book about the value of life or death/suicide?

            Even though I began this book with background knowledge that my friends had given me, I thought this book was entirely about suicide. However, it was not until after I finished the book that the key theme is rather about the value of life than it is about suicide or death. This book captured my attention. To me, personally, it has relatable experiences and examples that can pertain to so many young adolescents. Because of this, I rate this book an A because of its plot and its controversial themes. It is difficult to write about suicide, and this author nailed it in a way that can relate to so many young adolescents.

Side note: I recently just got in an “argument” with my mom regarding the age group that fits the term “adolescents.” She claims that it only pertains to 6^th-8^th graders. However, she does have some credentials, she is a middle school educator. Just thought that was interesting. Also thought it was relevant that this book was not available in her school library. Does this mean her school censors? What do you think?

Blog 2: The Secret of Life

All but the last three sentences of “The Secret of Life, According to Aunt Gladys” deserved an A from my personal rating scale. This short story, written by Bruce Coville, approaches a serious matter that few people have actually had to encounter or deal with. Though I believe the intention of this short story was to pull apart the reasoning behind secrets and hiding the truth, this author takes a leap of faith to write about transgenderism (this is a word, I swear). What made this story interesting was the development of the main character. For instance, when I first started reading this article, I thought that the narrator was around ten years old. Soon after she spoke as if she knew exactly what a transvestite was, I had the impression that she was an adolescent teen. In fact, this brings me to my next topic. Does this text position adolescents in a situation in which they can learn?

            What I found interesting in this article was the growth and character development of Randy. She seemed vey unsure about her uncle that she began to ask herself questions. For example, she says, “I was beginning to wonder what the guys were going to say about this.” This makes me feel that she senses the awkwardness and uniqueness of the situation that her family is in. Though the awkwardness carries on throughout the whole story, I felt especially moved when Randy said, “maybe it was because she was being so mean to him that I started talking to him more myself.” She develops into a character that understands the situation that is at hand and finds ways to better the situation. I felt that after reading this, adolescent readers are positioned in ways that they are eager to want to “do the right thing.” Although I feel that some readers may learn from this story, I also feel that some adolescents might not take it as seriously considering that it involves a very controversial topic, and I believe they know that as an adolescent. I also enjoy the concept of truth and realness that is grinded out from Bruce Coville. The last two pages merely reflect the concepts of truth/honesty and what it is like to be “normal.” However, one question that I would like to discuss about in class is what is it like to be normal? Personally, I have grown up around several people that have felt that they do not fit into the normal society, similar to Aunt Gladys.

            As I mentioned in the first sentence of my post, this short story deserves an A with a small asterisk by it. I learned so much from this story, and I strongly stand by the idea that adolescents could learn from it too. However, I was literally mind blown in the last three sentences of the story. It got me everywhere from confused angry, and frustrated. Especially with the last sentence, “Besides…what’s the point?” Admitting that I was frustrated with the last few sentences of this story does not remove the fact that adolescent students can quite possibly learn about transgenderism, truth, and family.

Eleanor and Park

Eleanor and Park is the story of two misfits who fall in love. By logic they would have never worked, but by fate they were perfect for each other. This story is extremely appealing to adolescents because it is relatable. I know that for me a book that kept my interest was one based on something I could relate to in my phase of life. Most of us have experienced that teen love that feels so right and you think it will last forever. The book also brings in aspects of family life with Eleanor having quite the dysfunctional, poor family, and on the contrary, Park who comes from a privileged bi-racial family. I thought this was a defining trait of the story line because it draws in two types of adolescent readers. Those who have had a good life if you will, and those who have struggled to fit in based on their life at home. I think this causes adolescents to gain respect for both groups of people in a world where fellow classmates are mean and harsh. Along with the idea of love, Park demonstrates an unconditional love for Eleanor, despite all of her corks and insecurities. He loved her just the way she was and didn’t want her to change anything in order to be his girlfriend. I thought that was a really eye opening concept throughout the book that was made very clear by the author. Also, at the end of the book it tools with the idea of heartbreak which most adolescents can also relate to. There is a point when we are so in love that we think that it will never end. Unfortunately, like most teen relationships, it does not last forever and there is heartbreak. I was “heartbroken” as a reader because I had been so invested in their love story.

Although I think a love story such as this would be more appealing to adolescent girls than boys, I surprisingly enjoyed the story. It kept me on my toes and drew me in with the contrast of stories between the two teens. With that being said, even though it definitely expresses the viewpoints of adolescents, I would rate this book at a “C” because I feel it connects to adolescent girls more than it would adolescent boys. As a reader and as a guy, it was difficult for me to find parts that related to me as an adolescent. I had a serious girlfriend in high school, but I never experienced the difficulties that Eleanor and Park went through because of her family background or the heartache that Park endured when Eleanor had to move away. Generally, girls are more into the romance stories and wanting to find love than boys. Which is why I believe this book would draw more into adolescent girl readers than boys. I enjoyed the style of writing that Rowell Rainbow used as well as her voice within the story. Overall, I would give Eleanor and Park a “C”.