Would this be ok for a thirteen year old?

[Beth]

I think 13 years olds should read this. Most of them any way. Middle school is where a lot of bullying starts and if this book can stop one person from bullying someone else, then it is a success. It is very heavy material, but it is something that is swept under the rug all too often and needs to be brought to light.

[Jess]

i read this book when i was 13 and loved it, just be ready for some heavy stuff and make sure they are mature

[Bri]

I am 12 years old and I just got this book for Christmas. (I finished the whole thing in one day) It totally depends on the individual case, but at this age, kids vary a lot in terms of maturity level. There are definitely some explicit scenes that most people my age couldn't handle, but I personally thought it was a great book with a thought-provoking message. It all depends on the maturity level and if you think they are mentally prepared to read this book.

[Sophie]

It depends on the person. I read it at 13 (still only 14 now) and i loved the book. If you're the kind of 13 year old who picked it up and thought it looked good (and also if you can handle some of the stuff that goes on) then it should be fine for you.

[Owaiz]

Given the 13 year olds we have today, I think this novel would be really good for them. It will give them an idea abouthow their actions affect others and how, sometimes, they make the difference between life and death.

[Morgan]

Yeah, I think you could handle it. If you have major troubles of your own it might be kind of triggering, so be careful. Other than that, I think you should enjoy it. It was a great book.

[Sani]

I read it when I was 12,it's nothing 'bad' in it that a 13 year old couldn't handle. ;-)

[Haley]

I think it depends more on maturity than on age. I read it when I was thirteen and it became my favorite book at that time. I'ts an amazing book, and if you think you can handle it then you should read it.

[Alys]

Yes I was thirteen when I first read it and it now one of my favourite books. It's really down to earth and well written.

[Caroline]

Okay. So I read this book when I was like 12, and since I'm in high school I believe that I would be able to tell you why your daughter may want to read this book. First of all, my English teacher made a good point: People like to read books where their life is a lot worse than theirs, it makes them feel better. This is true, but this isn't the main reason I wanted to read it. I'll be honest, the book is dark. It's serious and troubling, will it give you nightmares and make you suicidal? No. It's EXTREMELY serious, and many people think that 13 year olds can't handle it (my mom was especially like that). We're much tougher than you think. Everything in the book is already things your daughter has already heard of and understood. concerning the "sexual parts" especially (a big concern for parents). The language isn't really a problem, mild curse words but once again, it's stuff we've all heard and it's used tastefully and purely for the emphasis of showing feelings. I consider books like these Thinkers. They're purely to make you see the world differently. When I read this book, a part of me grew up (in a good way!). I was more considerate afterwards, I was more careful with what I said and I became much more empathetic. Basically, it's a serious book, but 13 year olds, 12 year olds even, can handle it. It's upsetting, but there are people like the girl out there. It's better to have child that's aware and understands then one who is oblivious and uninformed. It's simply a book that will make you think, and not only does it make you rethink who you are, but it inspires you to make the difference in a person's life throughout the day. It makes you realize how much you can change someone - for the better.

[~♡Nujaba♡~]

I read this book and I'm 13, but i kinda know stuff through rumors and everything about s-e-x, so yeah.

[Mirwat]

yes.

[Claudia the Night Owl]

Sure.

[roz⭐]

I read this when I was 12 and I really liked it

[Olivia]

I read it when I was 14. Some have said that I'm mature for my age, but I think that a 13 year old could handle it. This is because the things that Hannah Baker dealt with and the struggles she endured are similar to struggles of a lot of adolescents. It's heavy because of suicide, but the point of the book is to show the impact that people's actions have and how seemingly little things matter. I think that the sooner people, especially younger teenagers (who say and do pretty awful things) understand this, the better.

[Karla]

I read this book this year and i'm 14, My mother believed that it would give me ideas about suicide, among other random things. However, it does just about the opposite. This book shows how life is short and that you cant keep everything bottled up. It shows how being rude to someone, bullying them or "joking around with them" CAN actually hurt them. Many people say that instead of learning from your mistakes, learn from other people's mistakes, well this book shows how mistakes some people did in their life and how it affected Hannah Baker negatively, instead of copying it, or accidentally making the same mistakes, this book allows you to learn from it. After reading this novel, you will see the outer picture of suicide, how it affects those around you, and those around you will see the inner picture, how they treated you and how it affected you. So this book is actually a great book for a 13 year old. Any young kid who is mature enough about the topic of Sex and drugs(Which kids nowadays learn at an early age) can read and learn off of this very powerful but amazingly written novel

[[deleted user]]

I HATE this book with a passion. No one and I mean no one should read this book. The idea of suicide should never be promoted and this book does an excellent job of presenting the idea and making it seem ok. Which it isn't. I see absolutely no point in this book. Don't bother reading it and don't encourage others to do so including a 13 year old. There are other books out there that you could read and benefit from, but not this book. Trust me I read and it infuriated me. It's stupid. When you're done reading it, you look at it and say really? Well, then what is your point? And what are you trying to get at? Suicide and giving up are never the answers and this book encourages the idea of both.

[[deleted user]]

Ingrid wrote: "This book should not be for anybody, especially a 13 year old. I must say, at first I liked this book, but now I think it's terrible. Everybody has been hurt by someone before. This book makes it s..."

I completely agree with you.

[Scott]

And there goes the point of the book WHOOOOOOSH!

[[deleted user]]

Scott wrote: "And there goes the point of the book WHOOOOOOSH!"

Which is what?

[Scott]

The book does not promote suicide. The point of the story is that actions have consequences, and the book is a reminder to be thoughtful about your own.

[[deleted user]]

Many people went through more than what she did AND she could have avoided most of the problems that she went through. For example, when you know that a place is going to bring you harm, why would you go to it in the first place? When you know that specific people aren't good to be around, then why would you stick with them or come in contact with them? when you really don't need to, but you choose to. How does the author encourage others to think about their actions toward others, when Hanna commits suicide?

[Scott]

Ireny wrote: "How does the author encourage others to think about their actions toward others, when Hanna commits suicide?"

That was expressed quite clearly via the tape segments.

As for your other questions, people don't always do (or even realize) what's best for them. That is what life is like.

[[deleted user]]

Scott wrote: "Ireny wrote: "How does the author encourage others to think about their actions toward others, when Hanna commits suicide?"

That was expressed quite clearly via the tape segments.

As for your ..."

Nothing was expressed via tap segments. The whole book is inaccurate and doesn't make sense. Why would a girl kill herself because of the reasons that she mentioned?

Scott wrote: "As for your other questions, people don't always do (or even realize) what's best for them. That is what life is like."

Really? That is what life is like. And that totally makes sense, because that's how readers are suppose to react, just like Hanna. A clear message to all teenagers who read this book, isn't it?
And based on what you said, then she is the one to blame, when she could have reacted differently. And she could have reacted differently.This book would give no messages besides the one that's clear, which is SUICIDE . Especially to a 13 year old that wants to read this book. Considering how young he/she is and how they're still developing. Imagine that they're going through the same thing or even more than what Hanna was going through. How would this book help them? Do you think that they wouldn't be encouraged to do the same thing Hanna did?

[Gabrielle]

I would not give this book to a 13 yr old. I do think maturity is one aspect of this debate, but the effect of the book is what I worry about. I read this book when I was extremely depressed and because I was already struggling, the book was much more powerful than I expected. I was left in a daze, and didn't "recover" from the book for a while. It's a book that lingers, shakes you up and then haunts you. I am not sure that the book would have a positive impact on someone in middle school, which is a difficult time already.

[Scott]

The book is inaccurate? What does that mean?

The tape segments show how thoughtless actions hurt people. Really, I don't understand how this could be missed.

Why does there have to be blame? Yes, Hannah could have acted differently, and so could everyone else. But the book is realistic in not portraying everything as black and white.

Do you really think a book encouraging suicide would be on teen reading lists everywhere? Sorry, but you're just wrong. Drop the author a line if you're inclined; he has been known to respond (he wrote back to a friend of mine.) This book and others like it help people by showing them that they aren't alone. As I think I've said before on this discussion, I wish it had been around when I was young.

[[deleted user]]

Scott wrote: "The book is inaccurate? What does that mean?

The tape segments show how thoughtless actions hurt people. Really, I don't understand how this could be missed.

Why does there have to be blame? Y..."

It's inaccurate because no would kill themselves over the things she did, when most of the time it was she who decided to act in certain ways when she could have acted differently. And she played a part in those "thoughtless actions". And the "blame" is on her because she put herself in most of those situations that she kept blaming others for.

Unfortunately, it's on teen reading lists. And I'm not wrong.I don't see it helping anyone at all. How does someone who is going through terrible stuff get help from this book (meaning they're thinking about suicide)?
Which is my point exactly.

[Scott]

Ireny wrote: "It's inaccurate because no would kill themselves over the things she did"

People kill themselves for all sorts of reasons that don't make sense to others.

[[deleted user]]

Scott wrote: "Ireny wrote: "It's inaccurate because no would kill themselves over the things she did"

People kill themselves for all sorts of reasons that don't make sense to others."

Well, how about my last question?

[Liz]

I think it would be okay for a 13-year-old, even though it depends really much on the 13-year-old, but I read it with 11 or 12 and I loved it, so ...

[Scott]

Ireny wrote: "Well, how about my last question?"

I have already said, it helps people by showing them they aren't alone (the most important thing you can do for someone with those feelings.) It also presents both viewpoints, so while being relatable also shows that there's more outside one's tunnel vision.

[[deleted user]]

Scott wrote: "Ireny wrote: "Well, how about my last question?"

I have already said, it helps people by showing them they aren't alone (the most important thing you can do for someone with those feelings.) It ..."

Oh, thanks for answering, but the truth is it "DOESN'T" it promotes them more.

[Aleksandra]

I think you maybe should wait 2 or 3 years.

[Kirsty]

depends on your maturity

[Mare]

Caroline wrote: "Okay. So I read this book when I was like 12, and since I'm in high school I believe that I would be able to tell you why your daughter may want to read this book. First of all, my English teacher ..."

Well said, Caroline. You make two or three good points and your writing speaks well for thirteen year-olds everywhere. I agree with your English teacher (I'm one myself) that many young people like to read books about people with terrible lives because the books make your own lives seem much more bearable. I also agree with you that teens (even younger ones) are much tougher and more resilient than many adults (who have completely forgotten what it's like to be thirteen) ever give them credit for. Keep reading what makes you think.

[Madi]

I'm thirteen and I read it, but I would wait until 14 or 15. The subject is mature and could be frightening. I wish I had waited a couple of years.

[roz⭐]

Look, I read this when i was 12 but I am a very advanced reader. Whether you read this book doesn't depend on you're age, it depends on how mature you are. Some 13 year olds may not be able to handle the maturity of this book while other can.

[Madi]

Madelaine wrote: "i'm fourteen right now, but i just recently turned fourteen last thursday. i first want to say, overall, it was a really good book and i would recommend it for girl teens who can handle something d..."

I totally agree. I thought the same things. I also, found the contents sad and mature.

[Elliejpomp]

I am thirteen now but read it when I was still twelve. It was a really good book, at times I felt like it was a bit much but if you know a lot about the world then it should be ok. I wouldn't like this book to be my source for new info. This book should also lean teens toward not suicide, that was only my opinion.

[Cláudia]

I read this book when I was 12, and I need to say that in the time I didn't understand a lot of stuff related to it. But yes I am happy that I read it, because I loved the book, but yeah I thought it was a bit heavy for me at the time.

[Cathy]

NO. I wouldn't recommend this book to ANYONE, much less young teenagers. The reasons Hannah has for killing herself are horrible, and she does nothing but blame other people the entire story without ever once trying to SERIOUSLY, and by seriously, I mean DIRECTLY, get help. She gave off the most vague hints, and expected everyone else to be able to read her mind. From the very first chapter, her narrative was vindictive and actually TAUNTING, and it was clear that she sent out those tapes just to guilt trip everyone for the rest of their lives. But, the worst thing about this book, is that her decision to take her own life is never once seen as wrong. Sure, Clay uselessly whines "Why, Hannah, why?" over and over, but he never disagrees that her reasons weren't good enough to kill herself over. And that is why I think this book is dangerous: because I fear that there are many young teens, who may possibly have things even worse in their lives going on than Hannah, will see this and think that suicide is a valid option, when, in fact, it isn't. Stay far away from this book.

[[deleted user]]

Cathy wrote: "NO. I wouldn't recommend this book to ANYONE, much less young teenagers. The reasons Hannah has for killing herself are horrible, and she does nothing but blame other people the entire story withou..."

Thank you! My point exactly. Plus no one should ever take the easy way out and kill themselves. We're all here for a reason and we all have a message in this world. If everyone faced their problems the way Hanna did, then what is our world going to be like?
It's really important to think about stuff and analyze them after reading them. Finally, someone does that. Thank you for sharing your opinion Cathy. I'm glad someone saw beyond what everybody else sees.
And I'm saying it again "STAY AWAY FROM THIS BOOK" Deal with your problems, more importantly FACE THEM,and don't give up on yourself. And remember "When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place." Nothing and I mean nothing in this world is worth taking your life away. No matter what. You're strong and you can do this. Believe me, keep this in mind and you'll face anything. Just have faith in yourself and hope.

[L]

I think its ok for 13 year olds too read it. I mean yeah its a heavy subject, but the whole point of this book is o teach people not to treat eachother like that, so its better to read it early than too late. Also i think people are underestimating 13 year olds a bit here, they do actually notice, realise and know about way more things than their parents might think.

[Sydney]

I am 13 and I read this book, although I am mature for my age I wouldn't recommend this book to a fellow peer. If your 13 year old reads a lot and understands this topic pretty well I would say it is okay but if your teen doesn't know anything about suicide then I honestly wouldn't let him or her read it. Listening to this book on audio was very creepy but addicting at the same time. If your teen enjoys mature content then give it a go but if not then I wouldn't. I hope this helps.

[~♡Nujaba♡~]

I also read this book when I was 13. I was mature and able to handle it. But yeah, as Rosie said, its got nothing to do with the age, its wheather or not ur mature enough to handle it.

[Harper]

I'm just going to say no. Straight to the point. I would in no way let my younger sister, a few months away from turning thirteen, to read this book. I'm fifteen and some of the themes were even too much for me to handle at times. No, I do not think this is appropriate for a young girl to read, especially not one who is not yet a teen.

[Harper]

Aryan wrote: "I'm 10 yrs old and I'm about to start reading it"

I really don't think this is appropriate for a little kid. I have a little sister who's nine and in no way would I allow her to even read the synopsis. There's mentions of sexual touching, rape, alocohl, suicide (obviously) and all sorts of mature themes. Might want to rethink your reading choices, little one.

[Harper]

Aryan wrote: "I know my mom said no way"

Good. I really don't think it's appropriate.

[Harper]

Aryan wrote: "Yea. Tho I've read Life as we Knew it, Gone, The Maze Runner, and other innapropiate books"

Your definition of inappropriate is far different from mine.

[Scott]

Yeah, I wouldn't recommend this for a 10 year-old, but 13 is very different.