13 Reasons Why Controversy

Is Netflix's (and Jay Asher's) 13 Reasons Why too controversial to show on TV? Many experts think yes, and many others think it should be mandatory viewing for young teens.

I heard about this Netflix's show from a friend. Her teen and his friends were all watching it, and the show was the center of their daily chatting. She decided she needed to sit down and binge watch it to see what they were all talking about it. In passing, she had mentioned it to me. I had not yet heard of this show, however, 13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher is one of my favorite books, and I have read and reread it many times. So I was more than curious. I had to look it up. 

Here is the description of both the show and the book:

You can’t stop the future. 

You can’t rewind the past.
The only way to learn the secret . . . is to press play.
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 tells him that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. 
                
Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a firsthand witness to Hannah's pain, and as he follows Hannah’s recorded words throughout his town, what he discovers changes his life forever.

Newcomer Katherine Langford plays the role of Hannah, a young woman who takes her own life. Two weeks after her tragic death, a classmate named Clay finds a mysterious box on his porch. Inside the box are recordings made by Hannah -- on whom Clay had a crush -- in which she explains the 13 reasons why she chose to commit suicide. If Clay decides to listen to the recordings, he will find out if and how he made the list. This intricate and heart-wrenching tale is told through Clay and Hannah's dual narratives.

And the movie trailer:

I am intrigued. And very interested in how they brought Jay Asher's book to life on the television screen. And beyond that, I am curious on how they presented the difficult issue of suicide. The book is based primarily on the topic.

This show has created an uproar...

Many experts are concerned and feel this program will result in suicide contagion. (Suicide contagion is the exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors within one's family, one's peer group, or through media reports of suicide and can result in an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviors.) They feel it will cause vulnerable teens to end their lives. 

While many others are saying it will help start the ever-hard conversation of suicide and bring to the surface the tough issue of depression and bullying. 

Which side is right? Do we avoid these issues? Does making a TV show like this bring to light these types of concerns? Or does something like this make it worse?

I have never shied away from the tough issues. I think it is important to bring to light difficult situations and always feel that books, movies, and shows are a great way to start the conversation. I do know, however, that glorifying tough issues can and will result in a contagion. Should this stop us from seeing or letting our teens see this show? I have not yet seen this show. I can not speak to how this show may or may not glorify the topic of suicide. I do love the book and feel it is a great conversation starter. I strongly feel that a conversation must be had, regardless of how difficult it is for us. I think avoiding these issues will make it worse, not better. And maybe, just maybe a book or show like this will save a life, not destroy one. 


This is a very controversial issue, however. And one most people would prefer to avoid. 

What are your thoughts???  Would you let your teen see this show? How do you talk about tough issues with your teen or your friends?

Let me know in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.

Best, Becca


For more information here is a great article from CNN on the controversy http://www.cnn.com/2017/04/25/health/13-reasons-why-teen-suicide-debate-explainer/

YA Books with Tough Issues to Start a Conversation This Summer

Do you find it hard to start the must-have tough topic conversation sometimes?

It isn't always easy to talk about tough issues. Sometimes it's down right impossible. However, having a hard conversation with tweens and teens is important. And when you find it hard...a lot of times a good book can help. Here is a list of some of my favorites. Pic up a book this summer...read, share, and chat.

Enjoy!

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This is by far a great book. It tackles the topics of bullying and suicide. Great for boys, too, since it is written from the point of view of a teen boy by a male.

When Clay Jenson plays the casette tapes he received in a mysterious package, he's surprised to hear the voice of dead classmate Hannah Baker who committed suicide 2 weeks earlier.













Paper Towns by John Green

Most books by John Green are great and tackle tough issues. You really can't go wrong with any of them. I truly enjoyed Paper Towns because it not only touched on social issues and suicide, but it also focused on friendship and taking risks. Very humorous and a fun read. Again, it is a great book for boys with the main character being a teen boy and is also written by a male. And when you are done reading this book, make a date for a movie night and rent the flick starring Natt Wolff.

Young and shy Quentin (Nat Wolff) is in for the night of his life when Margo (Cara Delevingne), the most popular student in high school, recruits him to help her play mischievous pranks on the friends who betrayed her. The next day, however, the mysterious Margo is nowhere to be found. With help from a few buddies and some cryptic clues that she left behind, Quentin embarks on an obsessive mission to find the girl who stole his heart and made him feel truly alive.





But I Love Him by Amanda Grace

This book tackles the tough topic of dating abuse. About a love gone horribly wrong, But I Love Him, tells a dark tale of what could happen in an abusive relationship. Expect to have a deep conversation after reading this book. It is a tough read, but worth it.

 At the beginning of senior year, Ann was a smiling, straight-A student and track star with friends and a future. Then she met a haunted young man named Connor. Only she can heal his emotional scars; only he could make her feel so loved - and needed. Ann can't recall the pivotal moment it all changed, when she surrendered everything to be with him, but by graduation, her life has become a dangerous high wire act. Just one mistake could trigger Connor's rage, a senseless storm of cruel words and violence damaging everything - and everyone - in its path.




Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

This is another great book tackling the issue of dating abuse.


After her sister left, Caitlin felt lost.
Then she met Rogerson.
When she’s with him, nothing seems real.
But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?




A Few Historical Fictions by Ruta Sepetys: Out of the Easy, Salt to the Sea, and Between Shades of Gray

Although these books aren't contemporary tough issue books, they are amazing reads. All three books tackle tough issues/topics and dive into what is may have been like coming of age in a difficult time. They are all must reads.

 It’s 1950, and as the French Quarter of New Orleans simmers with secrets, seventeen-year-old Josie Moraine is silently stirring a pot of her own. Known among locals as the daughter of a brothel prostitute, Josie wants more out of life than the Big Easy has to offer.

Told in alternating point of views, Ruta Sepetys unearths a shockingly little-known casualty of a gruesome war, and proves that humanity and love can prevail, even in the darkest of hours.

Fifteen-year-old Lina is a Lithuanian girl living an ordinary life--until Soviet officers invade her home and tear her family apart. Separated from her father and forced onto a crowded train, Lina, her mother, and her young brother make their way to a Siberian work camp, where they are forced to fight for their lives.

For Tweens:

30 Days of No Gossip by Stephanie Faris

I just recently read this book and I loved it! It is definitely a must read for middle schoolers. A fun read that tackles social issues. Stephanie Faris does an amazing job keeping tough topics light and fun and easy to talk about. I love her characters and her voice. This book is perfect for your tween. I am looking forward to reading more of her books. Make sure you read this book this summer!



Can a middle school gossip queen change her ways, or will she lose her BFF for good?








There are so many amazing and well written books that tackle tough issues. I will make sure to give you more soon! 

What YA books on tough issues to do like? Have you used books to start a tough conversation?


Best, Becca