Author speaks about bullying and suicide to local students
Author Jay Asher talks with students and staff at Paso Robles High School about the effects of bullying and suicide. Asher’s award- winning book, Thirteen Reasons Why, has been on the NY Times Bestsellers list for nearly four years.
New York Times best-selling author speaks with students about Thirteen Reasons Why
The Paso Robles High School Performing Arts Center was filled with excited students, curious teachers and admiring librarians on June 5 as author Jay Asher made a special appearance to talk about the effects of bullying and suicide. Asher’s award- winning book, Thirteen Reasons Why, has been on the NY Times Bestsellers list for nearly four years. The following week, on June 11, Asher made his way over to Flamson Junior High to spend time with students and faculty.
Asher, a 1993 graduate of SLO High and former student at Cuesta and Cal Poly, currently lives in San Luis Obispo with his wife, singer-songwriter JoanMarie, and their son. He travels across the United States to speak to young people and budding authors.
Author Jay Asher, center, shares some time with Paso Robles High School Advanced Placement English Literature teacher Aaron Cantrell and librarian Stephanie Lowe.
Val Poalillo, a teacher at the school since 1995, organized and coordinated Asher’s visit to Paso High. Poalillo, who most recently taught Living Skills classes, retired at the end of the school year after teaching at PRHS since 1995.
“Many readers have shared with Jay Asher that his book has inspired them to help others or that it literally saved their lives,” said Poalillo. “He donates his time and travel to local SLO county schools as his way of giving back. Listening to him share about his experiences as a teenager and as a writer is uplifting, even though the topics are often difficult.”
A synopsis on the website www.thirteenreasonswhy.com, explains the storyline in the following manner: Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier. On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list. Through Hannah and Clay’s dual narratives, author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers. A young adult novel, Thirteen Reasons Why is being developed into a film by Universal Studios starring Selena Gomez.
“He shows how people often miss the signs of someone contemplating suicide,” said Poalillo. “When Jay Asher spoke at our school, he discussed being more open to what others are trying to tell us.”
Paso Robles High School students line up to take photos with and have books signed by author Jay Asher.
Poalillo said she first contacted Asher via Facebook and continued email conversations with the author. Talking with the school’s librarians, Cecelia Hanks and Stephanie Lowe, she found they had a hard time keeping Thirteen Reasons Why on the library shelves – so many students were checking it out – and she knew how inspiring it would be for the students to meet the man who wrote the book. The timing for an appearance at the school ultimately lined up for Asher and, according to reactions from those present, it was “more than expected.”
“I could not have asked for anything more from a guest speaker,” said Poalillo. “The way Jay Asher spoke and engaged with the students was just pure synergy. I had teachers coming up to me for days afterwards telling me how excited their students were to meet him.”
Before Asher’s appearance, Poalillo ordered a couple dozen copies of Thirteen Reasons Why; Asher graciously made arrangements to autograph the books. One lucky student won a signed copy of Asher’s newest novel, The Future of Us, co-written with Carolyn Mackler. After his talk, students lined up for signatures – many had brought along their own copies of the book – and took photos with Asher.
“One student even got him to sign her yearbook,” said Poalillo. “Along with the students, teachers and librarians of PRHS, I want to thank Jay Asher for an inspirational conversation.”
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