What Age Is Thirteen Reasons Why Appropriate For? A Parent’s Guide

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Quick answer: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher is best for ages 15 or 16 and up and should ideally be read with a parent’s involvement. It centers on a teenager’s suicide and includes sexual assault, bullying and drinking, and mental health experts have raised concerns about how it portrays suicide.

Quick facts
Recommended age: 15+ (16+ for many families)
Reading level: Teen
Genre: YA contemporary fiction
Published: 2007
Main concerns: Suicide, sexual assault, bullying
TV rating: Netflix series rated TV-MA

Thirteen Reasons Why became a bestseller and later a controversial Netflix series. It’s about a teenage girl who dies by suicide and leaves recordings explaining why. Many teens find it gripping, and some find it validating, but mental health experts worry it can glamorize suicide or make it seem like a way to send a message. This guide explains what’s in the book and how to approach it safely.

Table of Contents

What Is Thirteen Reasons Why About?

High schooler Clay Jensen receives a box of cassette tapes recorded by his classmate and crush, Hannah Baker, who died by suicide two weeks earlier. On the tapes, Hannah describes thirteen reasons, each tied to a person, that led to her decision.

Over one night, Clay listens to the tapes, walks through town following her map and learns about the rumors, betrayals and assaults Hannah experienced. He also discovers his own place in her story.

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher book cover

Check price of Thirteen Reasons Why on Amazon

Content Guide for Parents

Content	Level	What to Expect
Suicide	Central	Hannah’s suicide is the premise. The book describes it in less detail than the TV series.
Sexual assault	Significant	Hannah is groped, and she witnesses and later experiences sexual assault.
Bullying	Significant	Rumors, a list ranking girls’ bodies, stalking and humiliation.
Drinking	Moderate	Teens drink at parties.
Language	Moderate	Some swearing.
Positive messages	Mixed	The impact of our actions on others, but experts worry about the message that suicide sends a message.

Age-by-Age Breakdown

Age	Is Thirteen Reasons Why a Good Fit?
Under 14	Not recommended because of suicide, sexual assault and its emotional weight.
14 to 15	Possible with close parent involvement and conversation.
16 and up	More appropriate, ideally with discussion.
Adults	Useful for parents who want to understand teen issues.

What Do Mental Health Experts Say?

Many suicide prevention experts have criticized the story, especially the Netflix version, for portraying suicide as a way to get revenge or be remembered, and for showing adults as unhelpful. Guidance from experts suggests that vulnerable teens, including those who have had suicidal thoughts, may want to avoid it.

If your teen reads it, it’s important to talk about the fact that suicide is not inevitable, that help works and that adults can and do listen. The book is best treated as a conversation starter rather than a guide to understanding suicide.

Is Thirteen Reasons Why Okay for a 13- or 14-Year-Old?

Many parents and counselors feel it’s too heavy for this age, especially without adult involvement. The sexual assault and suicide themes are intense, and younger teens may not have the perspective to question the story’s message.

If your 13- or 14-year-old is determined to read it, read it alongside them and check in often.

What Parents Should Know

Know your teen’s mental health. If they’ve struggled with depression or suicidal thoughts, it may not be safe for them.
The Netflix show is more graphic. It shows the suicide in detail and is rated TV-MA.
Talk about help. Make sure your teen knows they can come to you or call 988.
Discuss consent and bullying. The book raises important issues.
Schools may send guidance. Many issued letters to parents when the show came out.

How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for Thirteen Reasons Why

Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of Thirteen Reasons Why.
Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.

Questions to Talk About With Your Child

What could the people around Hannah have done differently?
Is it fair for Hannah to blame others?
What would you do if a friend seemed to be struggling?
Who are trusted adults you could talk to if you were in trouble?
How do rumors and online gossip hurt people?

If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (US). The Crisis Text Line is also available: text HOME to 741741.

Better Choices: Books That Handle Mental Health With Hope

These picks explore struggles and mental health in ways that emphasize connection, help and hope.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson: ages 14 and up. A teen finds her voice after sexual assault. It’s powerful and ends with hope.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson book cover

Check price of Speak on Amazon

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini: ages 14 and up. A depressed teen checks himself into a psychiatric hospital and starts to recover. It’s funny and hopeful.

It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini book cover

Check price of It’s Kind of a Funny Story on Amazon

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green: ages 13 and up. A teen with anxiety and OCD navigates friendship and first love. It’s honest and kind.

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green book cover

Check price of Turtles All the Way Down on Amazon

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