So, due to weather, our Teen Book Club meeting for November actually happened in December. Oh well!
Our book for November was
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| When high school student Clay Jenkins receives a box in the mail containing thirteen cassette tapes recorded by his classmate Hannah, who committed suicide, he spends a bewildering and heartbreaking night crisscrossing their town, listening to Hannah's voice recounting the events leading up to her death. |
Here are the discussion questions we used:
1. First impressions. What did you think of the book?
2. This book has dual narrative, in that it has 2 narrators, Hannah & Clay. Did you enjoy this kind of writing of the story? How would it be different if it was just Hannah? Just Clay? Someone else entirely?
3. Are each of Hannah’s 13 reasons equally important? Why specifically did Hannah commit suicide? Who is responsible for Hannah’s death?
4. Did you have a book with a copy of the Map in it? Did that enhance your experience of the story?
5. Why did Clay leave the room after kissing Hannah? Do you think he had to? What else could he have done? Why did Hannah put him on her list of the 13 reasons why she killed herself?
6. What role do adults play in what happened to Hannah? Do you think any adult could have done something to help her?
7. How do you think Clay is changed by listening to the tapes?
8. Why do you think this book is popular?
9. Selena Gomez is set to star in the movie adaptation of the book. Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson) is rumored to be playing Clay. Like/dislike? Who else would you cast?
10. Ratings and final thoughts?
Librarian Karyn - 10/10 - This book is AMAZING on audiobook, I didn't want to stop once I started this addicting, heart-wrenching story.
Catherine - 10/10 - Honest, raw, and spoke to the real issues.
Melanie - 10/10 - Great book to raise more awareness of teen suicide & written beautifully.
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If you enjoyed this book, you may also enjoy:
Another book by the same author –
The Future of Us -
It's 1996, and less than half of all American high school students have ever used the Internet. Emma just got her first computer and Josh is her best friend. They power up and log on--and discover themselves on Facebook, fifteen years in the future. Everybody wonders what their Destiny will be. Josh and Emma are about to find out.
More books that deal with suicide
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By the Time You Read This, I’ll Be Dead by Julie Anne Peters -
High school student Daelyn Rice, who has been bullied throughout her school career and has more than once attempted suicide, again makes plans to kill herself, in spite of the persistent attempts of an unusual boy to draw her out.
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Glimpse by Carol Lynch Williams -
Living with their mother who earns money as a prostitute, two sisters take care of each other and when the older one attempts suicide, the younger one tries to uncover the reason.
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Hold Still by Nina LaCour -
As Caitlin struggles to cope with her best friend Ingrid's suicide, she turns inward and quiet, but finding Ingrid's hidden journal, a new classmate, and new projects help Caitlin find a way to reach out again.
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Impulse by Ellen Hopkins -
Three teens who meet at Reno, Nevada's Aspen Springs mental hospital after each has attempted suicide connect with each other in a way they never have with their parents or anyone else in their lives.
For December we are reading
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs -
As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow--impossible though it seems--they may still be alive.
Discussion on Tuesday, December 30th 6:00-7:00pm
