Thirteen Reasons Why
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Would this be ok for a thirteen year old?
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Joelene
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rated it 5 stars
May 09, 2013 10:20AM
Given the world we live in today, teens are different now from years ago. They are exposed to way more than the older generation. I have read this book and I personally feel it should be read by all teens. Reason being the message it gets across, not the suicide, but the reasons why. Kids kill each other every day just by words alone without even realizing the impact, the ripples of those words and or actions. It is educational but PG advisory or class set up to discuss issues etc. My opinion anyway.
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Joelene wrote: "Given the world we live in today, teens are different now from years ago. They are exposed to way more than the older generation. I have read this book and I personally feel it should be read by al..."I 10000000% agree with you
Kate wrote: "I support Madelaine's opinion. Some 13-year-olds aren't ready for this, but plenty of them would feel very spoken to, even though the story is about an older age group. "I agree with you. I support Madeline too.
I am 11 and I read this book. My teacher told me that this was a serious book but I really think that most kids should read this book because it shows children that what they say, do, and act like can change the life of some poor child. If the person that you want to give the book to is mature, I strongly advise it!
I read it when I was 13.
Same. I read it when I was 13
I was instructed to read it at 13 actually, and I think it was very informational, and would be a excellent eye opening read for any teen. restricting books for younger kids is never a good idea.
Seriously, why do people ask questions like this? People (and teenagers are people, despite the fact that they can sometimes seem like an alien race) find the books that are appropriate for them all by themselves. They always have and always will. The caveat to that is that they need to be exposed and have access to a great variety, as well as see a lot of modeling of reading throughout their youths. If something is not appropriate for a reader, s/he will probably put it down all on her/his own. Let them alone and they'll figure it out.
It depends on the person really...
It depends on how mature the 13 yo is, but generally I would say no. More of a 15-up book, imo.
You may be happy to know that, as an adult, I happen to agree with you on most of what you wrote. I didn't think it was a particularly great book, but not because it had "no-no" content. I wish people (read: parents) would stop babying their children in the mistaken belief that they can shield or protect them from things. The best way to help your children through life is to give them responsibilities at an appropriate age. One of the best responsibilities is choosing one's own reading/entertainment material.Sex is just sex. Should we pretend to our children it doesn't exist? Check the teen pregnancy rates in states like Texas. Should we pretend that young people are all nice to each other, and that no one feels depressed? Check the rates of anti-depressant prescriptions.
You are doing your children a disservice.
I read it at twelve...but it depends on how mature you view yourself and what other books you read and enjoyed
imread this when i was 12 but i can handle tough material for a 13 year old i think probably so unless you are really sensitive to tough subjects
My 13-year-old recommended it to me.She checked it out in her school library.
I don't think 13 year olds will fully understand the emotional view. It more relates to HS students who are going through times like that. I would recommend for 15+. I liked it, because in a way I could relate. Definitely one of my favorite books.
Don't know about you but when I was 13 I was going through "times like that."
I read this when I was twelve, and I was going through a hard time in my life. Seeing how it could affect the people around me, and realizing how selfish my reasons really were made me resolve never to commit suicide.
I just finished "Thirteen Reasons Why" after a friend recommended it as a good quick read, and while I am much older than the recommended audience, I think it is appropriate for young teen readers. I had already attempted suicide ate thirteen, and had multiple classmates with children, so most thirteen year olds are unfortunately going to have a part in a similar circumstance quite soon, if they haven't already.
Middle school teacher here: If you think the majority or 13 year olds 1) Haven't been exposed to suicide/thoughts of suicide/depression. 2) Been exposed to sexuality 3) Been exposed to bad language....You obviously haven't been on their youtube channels, facebooks, instagrams, etc. This book is a GOOD way to get students not only to think about how their actions affect others, but the long term affects of bullying, rumours, and the words we speak. I am honestly curious as to what 13 year olds some of the commenters have met, (like sweet little angels that only watch the Disney channel? Where are these children?) - the ones I have in class have already been very harshly exposed to the world, raised by television (MTV) and the radio (Have you listened to what they play?!) This book is no worse than what 13 year olds watch everyday at home.
This book instead takes the tough material and forces students to examine their own lives and behaviors in school. I highly recommend students read this book when they're 13 - maybe we'd have less 13 year olds commit suicide from bullying!
My almost 14-year-old daughter read it, and then gave it to me to read because she was so moved by it. I did feel it was important to discuss it with her, to make sure she didn't feel that it made suicide seem like a solution (the book clearly doesn't, but everyone interprets things differently, and I wanted to make sure I understood her mindset). Nor does it glorify sex or drinking; if anything, it's a good cautionary tale--though again, I'm glad my daughter and I talked about the book after she read it... for my own peace of mind, if nothing else.
I read this when I was 14 and it was too much for me to handle. So I don't suggest it.
I read this when I was thirteen. I loved it.
I was about 11 when I read it and I understood the book completely but Im a mature reader some kids may not be able to read it.
Personally, if I had a kid, I would not want my thirteen year old to read this just because I'd rather not let them read about suicide. It's okay for high-school kids but I don't think in middle school this should be the book that the kids are reading.
I read this book when I was twelve, and I believe that this book is ok for thirteen year olds to read. Perhaps it would be shocking for some people, but the school assemblies in middle school are much more disturbing, talking (in extreme detail) on the events of the Columbine shooting and the suicide of teenagers. Most middle schoolers have been exposed to the content in "Thirteen Reasons Why" already in school.
It depends on the child's maturity level I think. I read this when I was around eleven. Besides, it might be a good message for them to read at an early age. I agree with Jillian and Irene...most children already know about everything mentioned in this book...I do...
I have actually shared the most intense sections of this book with students from 13-15 and they were enthralled with the plight of the main character and stunned by the behavior of characters around her. They had strong opinions that they were eager to share because they have either experienced it, know someone who have experienced it, or have opinions that they would want to share. I do, however, believe that, as a parent, you should make that decision with your child. There is nothing grotesque and there is no glorification in this book.
I read this book lat year when I was 12 I got it from my middle school library but I thought it was a good book. Now yes it might be a little mature for some of my peers but I enjoyed the book.
I'm fourteen and it was really ok for me. I lived this book, it wasnt hard to read but was emotional. I would tecomend to read it at the age of 15or maybe 16 cause you'll see it in other way if are a little bit older
Yes. It is ok for 13 year old to read it. Depends on the person
Jennifer wrote: "I let my daughter read it when she was 13. We talked about it afterwards. She wasn't upset after having read some of the things that happened to Hannah. In fact, she mostly thought that Hannah didn..."I think that is what everyone at our age thinks about this book. The main thing was that she didnt do anything to helpreself. Those tapes weren't a fair thing to do! ( I'm 14)
by 13, kids are usually mature enough to handle this stuff. Of course that doesn't mean they should, I know I would have wanted my innocence preserved at that age.
I read this, and I'm 12. I'd say it would be okay for a 13 year old.
No it's too depressing for a 13 years old! come on!!!
I read it when I was 13. If the thirteen year old is mature and ready to deal with the subject matter it should be fine. I would definitely not recommend it for anyone under 13 though.
I read this when i was 13. So i think so but, i think it depends on the kid.
I read this book when I was thirteen. But I was already reading a little above my age group. It depends on the thirteen year old.
There's no way I'd allow my 13 year old to read this book, I think it's too much for such a young age.
I read this at 13 and it was ok. For some it might not be. There are inappropriate parts, cussing, drinking and more. Then again, it teaches a lot but it depends on the 13 year old.
~It's not graphic, if you think about it anything in this book most thirteen year olds already know. I think its a good thing if they read this. They see the consequences in what bad actions can do. In this book someone takes there life because of it. There is nothing in this book that thirteen year olds haven't seen or heard about on a daily basis. The news, at school, at home etc.
I'm 13 and I loved this book. I would recommend this book to a more mature and HAPPY audience. This book will get to you in unthinkable ways.
in my opinion i dont think this book should be allowed to be read by thirteen year olds as it is introducing them to the many tragedies life can contain and doesnt need to be something they need to know at such a young age, especially the idea that people can be in such a tragic mental state that they resort to suicide. 13 is too young for them to release that suicide is an option for a small time in your life when you are feeling depressed. furthermore, this book doesnt offer the alternative of recovering from being suicidal. although i think it is a topic that needs to be well known throughout teens i dont believe it has any benefits whatsoever to be read at such a young age.
You are free to your opinion but I read this book when I was 12 now depending on the maturity of the 13 year old I believe it would be fine. Lots of kids my age know about suicide and some even have experince with it with some other kids. Now i'm not saying that this book might be a little much for some kids but really I think it's okay for anyone its one of my favorite books.
I would say that the book is okay for a 13-year old.We treat 13-year olds with kid gloves, as if they weren't already thinking about these issues and, in some cases, dealing with these kinds of issues.
Feelings of isolation lead to the kinds of feelings portrayed in the novel, those of suicide. If 13-year olds were exposed to more of these kinds of books, they might realize they aren't alone or unique or freaky.
13-year olds already know the inappropriate language. 36% of 14-year olds report that they have already had their first (alcoholic) drink. 1.4% of 13-year olds successfully commit suicide. 20% of the deaths of 15-24 year olds is due to suicide. 10% of 13-year olds are sexually active. (I pulled these stats from sources all over the internet.)
There are plenty of 13-year olds who need this book so that they know they are not alone.
All that being said, I really would prefer it to be read as part of a intergenerational book club (mother-daughter, for example) or literature circle book club which might allow for lots of discussion.
I believe that the kids who don't need or aren't ready for the topics posed will probably put the book down without interest. It's just not their kind of book. But you might be surprised by who chooses to keep reading.
I agree but this book doesn't really explain how to overcome these feelings and what to do if you do feel suicidal. It just basically says that if you want to die because you're not happy then do it. And that's not a good message for young children.
Probably not. The book deals with very mature subjects (although I'm sure most kids that age know about them, it's a little too graphic). I read it when I was maybe twelve and I found it kind of disturbing. But, there's a world of difference between twelve and thirteen. Generally, mature thirteen year olds can handle it, although the message is a bit dark.
I read this book when I was around 13 and trust me there isn't anything in this book that a 13 year old hasn't already read about.
I'm just gonna co-sign what Madeleine said. then again, 13 year olds these days are exposed to sex, violence and personal conflicts.
It really depends on how mature the 13 year old kid is.
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