A young adult novel that inspired a controversial Netflix series about a teenage girl’s suicide will be spotlighted in this year’s SOKY Reads! program.

Sara Volpi, who coordinates literary outreach and the Southern Kentucky Book Fest for Western Kentucky University, said “Thirteen Reasons Why” by Jay Asher, who will be in Bowling Green in October, will be the community reading program’s first young adult title.

“We hope that we can have some great conversations around the book and (Asher’s) intentions and help people out if they need it,” Volpi said.

Volpi said organizers wanted to focus on younger audiences after choosing a middle-grades book during last year’s program, which encourages the community to focus on a single book with a variety of events.

“It was honestly our best SOKY Reads! participation ever,” she said, referring to the choice of Robert Beatty’s “Serafina and the Black Cloak.”

“Thirteen Reasons Why” tells the story of Hannah Baker, a high school student who commits suicide and leaves behind 13 audiotapes detailing the events that led to her death.

Since its 2007 release, “Thirteen Reasons Why” has sold more than 2.5 million copies nationally, according to a WKU news release.

However, the Netflix adaption of the book was criticized for its portrayal of suicide, particularly a graphic suicide scene.

In May, Warren County Public Schools Superintendent Rob Clayton informed parents about the show’s controversial content in a districtwide email. In his message, Clayton recommended that parents discuss the show with their children if they’ve seen it or mentioned it.

“If you have not seen the series, you may want to watch it yourself, or possibly view it with your student,” Clayton wrote in his email. “However, it may not be appropriate for some students at all as it is graphic and depicts scenes of suicide, rape, sexual assault, alcohol use and violence.”

Clayton cited a recommendation from the National Association of School Psychologists against vulnerable youths, especially those with any kind of suicidal ideation, watching the series.

Clayton also advised parents ask their child if they’ve seen the show, if they’ve thought about suicide or if someone is harming them, if their friends or classmates show warning signs and guiding them in how to respond, listening to their children without judgment and getting professional help if needed.

“This one (show) was garnering quite a bit of media attention and students were talking about it, and we want to make sure that our kids are safe,” Clayton told the Daily News at the time.

Media outlets typically avoid sensationalizing or graphically describing suicides because it can lead to suicide contagion or “copycat” suicides. A graphic scene in the show of Hannah’s death raised concerns among some suicide prevention advocates for sending the wrong message about the issue.

Through SOKY Reads!, a grant from Graves-Gilbert Clinic will allow copies of the book to be distributed to area high schools, along with book clubs through the Warren County Public Library, according to the news release.

Debbie Diamond, marketing coordinator with Graves-Gilbert Clinic, said the SOKY Reads! Program fits her organization’s mission of supporting children. Diamond was not familiar with the book or Netflix series.

“Getting involved with that program, it just fits,” she said.

Free copies of the book will be distributed at the Warren County Public Library’s State Street Branch on Friday and the library’s Bob Kirby Branch on Saturday. The Community Farmers Market on Nashville Road will also distribute books beginning at 8 a.m. Sept. 23.

The community reading program will also feature a panel of mental health experts to discuss the book at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 at the Bob Kirby Branch and at 7 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Russell Miller Theater on WKU’s campus.

All events are free and open to the public.

Asher will be reading from “Thirteen Reasons Why,” discussing his work and signing books at the Young Adult Southern Book Con at 9 a.m. Oct. 20 at the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center. The event is free and open to the public.

Asher will also sign books at Yellowberri on Oct. 21, along with additional locations that haven’t been announced.

Copies of Asher’s books, plus titles from all authors attending YAS Book Con, will be available to purchase Oct. 20-21 through partnerships with Barnes & Noble and Spencer’s Coffee.

– Program guides for SOKY Reads! are available online at sokybookfest.org/programs/soky-reads. Information about the YAS Book Con is available at www.yasbookcon.org.

– Follow education reporter Aaron Mudd on Twitter @BGDN_edbeat or visit bgdailynews.com.