- Jay Asher
Infobox Writer
name = Jay Asher
caption =
pseudonym =
birthdate = Birth date and age|1975|9|30
birthplace = Arcadia,California ,United States
deathdate =
deathplace =
occupation = Novelist
genre =Young Adult
movement =
influences =Chris Crutcher
influenced =
website = http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com
spouse =
children =Jay Asher is an American writer who writes contemporary novels for teens. He has one major publication in the genre of
Young Adult Literature .Biography
Jay Asher was born in Arcadia,
California on September 30, 1975. He grew up in a family that encouraged all of his interests, from playing theguitar to his writing. He attendedCuesta College right after graduating from high school. It was here where he wrote his first two children’s books for a class called Children’s Literature Appreciation. At this point in his life, he had decided he wanted to become an elementary school teacher. He then transferred toCalifornia Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo where he left his senior year in order to pursue his career as a serious writer. Throughout his life he worked in various establishments, including as a salesman in a shoe store and in libraries and bookstores.citation|first=Cynthia Leitich|last=Smith|title=Author Interview: Jay Asher on Thirteen Reasons Why|date=February 05, 2008|url=http://cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com/2008/02/author-interview-jay-asher-on-thirteen.html|series=Cynsations|publisher=cynthialeitichsmith.blogspot.com.] Many of his work experiences had an impact on some aspect of his writing.He has only published only one book to date, "Thirteen Reasons Why", which was published in October of 2007. He is currently working on his second Young Adult novel, and has written several picture books, middle grade Humor Novels, and even written several screenplays. "Thirteen Reasons Why" has won several awards and has received five stars from Teen Book Review. It also has received high reviews from fellow authors such as
Ellen Hopkins ,Chris Crutcher , [ [http://classof2k7.com/authors/jay_asher.php Asher on Class of 2K7 web site] ] and Gordon Kormon.Asher is a fan of the TV series
My So-Called Life . [ [http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=137729071 Asher's myspace page] ] He cites it as a major influence on his writing.Published Works
"Thirteen Reasons Why" is Asher's first published novel. It tells the story of Hannah Baker, a girl who committed
suicide . She reveals her reasons for her decision in a series of audio tapes mailed to a classmate with instructions to pass them from one student to another, in the style of a chain letter. Through Hannah's recorded voice, her classmates learn the reasons that Hannah decided to take her own life. Besides Hannah, the reader also sees the story through the eyes of Clay Jensen, one of the recipients of the tapes. Asher was inspired to write in this style after taking an audio tour of a museum."Writing this book made me realize how fascinated I am by the way people interact...and the obstacles that keep us from understanding each other better."
Awards and Recognition
*Best Books for Young Adults (YALSA)
*Quick Picks for Reluctant YA Readers (YALSA)
*Selected Audiobooks for Young Adults (YALSA)
*Borders Original Voices finalist
*Barnes & Noble - Top 10 Best for Teens
*Book Sense Pick - Winter =)
*Chicago Public Library Best Books
*Association of Booksellers for Children - Best BooksReferences
* [http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/ Official web site of "Thirteen Reasons Why"] , featuring an interactive map of the town
* [http://www.discomermaids.blogspot.com/ Disco Mermaids] , blog kept with two other authors
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