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Courtesy Xochitl Mora,

Topics remain relevant event for Laredo youth

 (Laredo, TX )  It’s still an unfortunate trend among teenagers today:  bullying, harassment and suicide.  In order to help address this topic with teens in a sensitive, yet thought-provoking fashion, the Laredo Public Library iBook It Teen Reading Club will kick off their summer reading list with Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher, a book that explores a teenager’s suicide and the reasons (i.e. people and their actions) that lead to his death.

 Thirteen Reasons Why is the story of Clay Jensen, an average, if somewhat shy, high school student, who returns home from school one day to find a box sitting on his doorstep. Upon opening it, he discovers that it is a shoebox containing seven cassette tapes recorded by the late Hannah Baker—his classmate and emotional crush who recently committed suicide. The tapes were initially mailed to one classmate with instructions to pass them from one student to another, in the style of a chain letter. On the tapes, Hannah explains to thirteen people how they played a role in her death, by giving thirteen reasons to explain why she took her life. Curiosity and fear of exposure keep the people on the list listening to the tapes, and through the audio narrative Hannah reveals her pain, and her slide into depression that ultimately leads to her suicide. 

This is the second time the iBook It Teen Reading Club is promoting reading this book.  According to Niki Acosta, teen programmer at the Laredo Public Library, this book is always in demand at the Library and the topic is still relevant.

 “Teen bullying, harassment and suicide are issues that affect teenagers around the world, even in Laredo,” Acosta said.  “We hope that with the book discussion, anti-bullying/suicide awareness rally and author lecture, we can help shed light on this issue that many teenagers suffer through, and hopefully, make an impact that helps prevent more tragedy and suffering by Laredo youth.”

 The book discussion will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 6 PM at the Laredo Public Library.  All teenagers are encouraged to read the book and attend this session that will help explore a real issue in a fictional setting; although if one hasn’t finished the book, teens are encouraged to still attend.

 On Wednesday, June 1, 2011, the Laredo Public Library will host an anti-bullying/suicide awareness rally, so that kids who are being bullied or are contemplating suicide can find help and hope.  Teenagers who want to find out what constitutes bullying and how to prevent or stop it, and especially, how to recognize the signs of a friend or classmate who is considering suicide are also encouraged to attend.   

 Finally, on Thursday, June 9, 2011, starting at 6 PM, the author himself will come to the Laredo Public Library to discuss the book, answer any questions teens may have and sign personal copies of the book.  As a special treat, Asher will describe his journey as a writer, including receiving all the “rejection” letters for this book.  He hopes this discussion will be inspiring for people who may want to give up on their dream because others bring them down.  Asher hopes his story will encourage kids to believe in themselves, despite what others say or call them.

 For those teens who want to get a private audience with Asher, a special meet and greet will be held for teenagers who attend both the book discussion and the anti-bullying/suicide awareness rally.  Only teens with VIP tickets will be allowed to meet Asher before his public discussion.

 Asher got the idea for his book while taking an audio tour at a museum.  He was struck by the eeriness of the voice in his ear – a woman who described exactly what he was looking at, but wasn’t there.  For more information on Jay Asher, visit www.thirteenreasonswhy.com.

 All iBook It Teen Reading Club events will be held at the Laredo Public Library HEB Multi-Purpose Room, 1120 East Calton Road.

 The book is available for check-out at the Laredo Public Library or purchase at Books-A-Million bookstore at Mall Del Norte.

 For additional information, including library hours and other teen events, visit the Laredo Public Library at 1120 East Calton Road, call Niki Acosta at (956) 795-2400, ext. 2263 or niki@laredolibrary.org or Kelly Simms at (956) 795-2400, ext. 2235, e-mail at kelly@laredolibrary.org or visit the Laredo Public Library’s website at www.laredolibrary.org.