13 Reasons Why — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Featuring cover art from the Netflix original series executive produced by Selena Gomez!
“Eerie, beautiful, and devastating.” —Chicago Tribune
“A stealthy hit with staying power. . . . thriller-like pacing.” —The New York Times
“Thirteen Reasons Why will leave you with chills long after you have finished reading.” —Amber Gibson, NPR’s “All Things Considered”
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.
Need to talk? Call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) anytime if you are in the United States. It’s free and confidential.
Find more resources at 13reasonswhy.info.
Find out how you can help someone in crisis at bethe1to.com.
Frequently asked questions
Is 13 Reasons Why appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book discusses serious themes including suicide, bullying, and sexual assault. It portrays the psychological impact of these events on the characters, particularly through Hannah's reasons for her suicide, which involve various forms of violence and trauma. The book presents a dark and oppressive view of high school life, including themes of suicide and bullying, which may be distressing for some readers. The psychological impact of these themes can be considered scary in the context of teen life.
Does 13 Reasons Why have violence?
The book discusses serious themes including suicide, bullying, and sexual assault. It portrays the psychological impact of these events on the characters, particularly through Hannah's reasons for her suicide, which involve various forms of violence and trauma.
Does 13 Reasons Why have scary content?
The book presents a dark and oppressive view of high school life, including themes of suicide and bullying, which may be distressing for some readers. The psychological impact of these themes can be considered scary in the context of teen life.
Does 13 Reasons Why have religious themes?
No religious practices, beliefs, or ceremonies are present in the narrative of 'Thirteen Reasons Why'. The content focuses on themes of bullying, suicide, and the impact of actions rather than religious elements.
Does 13 Reasons Why have racial/cultural content?
The search results do not indicate any explicit themes of race or racism in the narrative of 'Thirteen Reasons Why'. The story primarily focuses on personal and social issues rather than racial dynamics.
Does 13 Reasons Why have profanity?
The book contains some swear words typical of teen banter, reflecting the language used by adolescents in real-life situations. This includes explicit language that is relevant to the characters' experiences.
Does 13 Reasons Why have climate change?
There are no themes related to climate change or environmental issues in 'Thirteen Reasons Why'. The focus is on personal struggles and societal issues rather than climate-related topics.
Does 13 Reasons Why have sexual identity?
The narrative includes sexual innuendo, kissing, and inappropriate touching, such as a boy grabbing a girl's butt. It addresses themes of sexual assault and the complexities of teenage relationships.
Does 13 Reasons Why have gender roles?
The book discusses themes of sexism and the pressures faced by teenage girls, particularly in the context of sexual assault and societal expectations. It critiques the treatment of female characters and the dynamics of gender in high school.
Does 13 Reasons Why have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are explicitly mentioned in the narrative of 'Thirteen Reasons Why'. The search results do not indicate any significant LGBTQ+ content within the book itself.
