I just finished reading the book “13 Reasons Why” by Jay Asher and I just can’t stop thinking about it. It is the story of a teenage girl, Hannah Baker, who commits suicide and leaves audio tapes to the 13 people in her life whose words (gossip) or actions effected her and ultimately led to her death. This book does an excellent job of illustrating how powerful our words or actions can be! Even when we think it is just a joke, or not a big deal; we can never know how someone’s life may be impacted by our words or actions. As a teacher I couldn’t help but think: how could I have saved Hannah if she were my student?
Fellow educators, parents, and adults who work with teens: we need to be more aware of the little signs our kids give us. We need to take their questions and comments more seriously. We need to push all the other “important things” we have to do the side and sit and listen. It is our responsibility to protect our kids!
GEMS girls: we always talk about the fact that we do not have to be best friends with everyone, but it is our responsibility to make sure that no one is left out of group in class, alone at lunch, or without a friend to talk with. Something so simple as smiling and saying, “Hello. How are you?” to a person as we pass them in the hallway may be just the thing to brighten his/her day or remind them that people still care.
Read this book and you’ll never think twice about speaking up for someone who is being made fun of or gossiped about.
If you or someone you know are feeling hopeless or depressed please talk to a trusted adult or visit the site www.hopeline.com.
3 responses so far ↓
1 Catherine // Dec 8, 2009 at 1:54 pm
The review of this book really does make you think of how you act or what you say around all people. It brings the issue into a bigger perspective thinking that a “Hello” in the hallway or at recess may change someone’s feelings about other people in their life and that “Hello” might save your classmate or friend’s life. Even though you might disagree with someone’s comment about another person, it is hard to stand up for what you belive in or support. No matter how hard it is to disagree with that someone or a group of people, that person who is being gossiped about might hear you standup for them and they will know that someone cares.
2 Mason // Dec 8, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Reading this review of this book does make you think about what you say or act around people. Sometimes it is hard not say the right or appropriate thing, even if you are joking with them. Its probably better to say nothing then rather saying a mean joke. Even though you might not like a person and started a gossip about her it really might make her think negative about herself
3 Casey Walsh // Jan 15, 2010 at 6:13 pm
that book sounds like it would be good story on mrs. ball’s shelf for gems. i’d love to read it but im to afraid i might crie threw it all!
how could someone do something like that?!
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