graphic design is my passion

1 - Th1rteen R3asons Why

Asher, Jay. "Th1rteen R3asons Why", New York : Razorbill, 2008.

“Asher's ability to convey the anguish of someone who was left behind is truly remarkable.” —Book Page

This first person novel tells the story of  high school student Clay Jensen, who receives a box of 7 cassette tapes, with 13 sides to listen to,  narrated by the girl he had a crush on, who had taken her own life, Hannah Baker. Through out the book, the story alternates between Hannah telling her story of why she committed suicide, and how the people included/mentioned on the tapes contributed, and Clay following along with the tapes and dealing with his overwhelming grief. 

Hannah's Reasons

Excerpt from the book's "13 questions for Jay Asher"

Do you feel you were trying to put across a certain message with this book?

"... Basically, even though Hannah admits that the decision to take her life away was entirely her own, it's also important to be aware of how we treat others. even though someone appears to shrug off a sideways comment or to not be affected by a rumour, it's impossible to know everything going on in that person's life, and how we might be adding to his/her pain. People do have an impact on the lives of others; that's undeniable".

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2 - Elsewhere

Zevin, Gabrielle. "Elsewhere", New York : Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005.

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Hall, the victim of a hit-and-run wakes up in Elsewhere, a place where death is a beginning and you age backwards. For 16 year old Lizzie its hard knowing she will never fall in love, get married or have children, and while she displays destructive behaviour in dealing with her grief and avoiding reality, she eventually forms new relationships with family members she never knew, rockstars-turned-fishermen, dogs now that she can speak canine, and people in denial just like her. The heavy yet somehow light theme of death is not exactly seen as an end to all things, but rather seen as rebirth and a chance for Lizzie to redeem herself, as well as other characters; an example is Curtis Stone, who was a depressed celebrity drug addict but upon coming to elsewhere chose the life of a fisherman and was shown to be much happier. 

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3 - Before I Die

Downham, Jenny. "Before I Die", New York : David Fickling Books, 2007.

Tessa is a 16 year old that has been diagnosed as terminally ill with Leukemia, and decides to spend the time she has left " living instead of dying" (book) and creates a bucket list to finish before she dies. 
This title plays strongly into the theme of an impending sense of death, and while the Tessa has accepted the fact that she will die of Leukemia, she is still shown to act out negatively (as any teenager, or even adult would do) and with its first person narrative, those scenes are all the more powerful.

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