Reading Response: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Have you ever felt like no one cared, like you should give up? Well Hannah did, and she gave up. In the book ‘‘Thirteen Reasons Why’’ by Jay Asher it goes through the thirteen reasons why Hannah killed herself. In the book the main character Clay Jenson has possession of the cassette tapes (that have the reasons why Hannah killed herself on it). Clay liked Hannah but he couldn't tell her, he couldn't say his true feelings. When Clay was with Hannah he didn't express himself and was quiet, then at the end of the book he realizes that he should be open about his feelings and not hold back.  

Clay has always liked Hannah. In the beginning of the book Clay was too afraid to tell Hannah how he felt about her. He had so many chances to tell her but he didn't. For example, he worked with Hannah at a movie theater but still couldn't express himself. “This was my chance, at this theater, to reach Hannah. It was my chance and I let it slip away” (page 145). This shows how Clay really wasn't expressive. He still had a lot to learn. He had a long journey of change ahead. 

Secondly, Clay started to open up when he was at a party and started to talk to Hannah. “It was wonderful. I couldn't believe Hannah and I were finally talking. Really talking. And i did not want it to stop. I loved talking with you, Hannah”. (page 210). This was the first step to finally opening up. Clay felt good when he let go a little bit. Getting to show who he is was a huge step. It was a lot of progression for Clay to be able to talk to Hannah. After hearing about Hannah and her reputation it was good that Clay was able to communicate with Hannah.   

Finally, at the end of the book Clay really popped out of his shell. He gave himself a chance. At school there was another girl that he liked, Skye. Just like Hannah he never talked to Skye about how he felt about her. He decided to go up to her. “A flood of emotions rushes into me...but most surprising of all hope..Two steps behind her, I say her name. “Skye” ’’. (page 288). As its clear to see, Clay changed. He wasn't afraid to finally open up. He gave himself and Skye a chance. Hannah's death really opened up Clay’s eyes. He changed a lot.

In the world many people change from suicide. It is a very hard thing to deal with.  Just like Clay, some people change in a good way. Clay has had a hard time dealing with Hannah's death. Through it all Clay was able to learn that hiding away won’t help and that you should express yourself.