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13: A Novel: A Novel
The paperback edition of the novel based on the groundbreaking musical by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish, 13 , a story about friendship, fitting in, and what it means to turn thirteen. Now a movie-musical streaming on Netflix! “No one said becoming a man was easy." Evan didn’t expect relevant life advice from Rabbi Weiner, who looks so old that he must have gone to yeshiva with Moses. But wondering what it means to become a man is the least of Evan’s problems. After being uprooted right before his thirteen birthday from New York City to Appleton, Indiana, he’s more focused on using this fresh start to find the right friends to invite to his bar mitzvah. Because this is his chance to get in with the popular kids—the cool football players and pretty cheerleaders. But it’s the weird kids who welcome him, like his nerdy neighbor Patrice and Archie, whose crutches and muscular dystrophy make him an easy target for bullying. Evan doesn’t want to be laughed at for being different. He can pretend to be like the cool kids; he’s sure he can. But if you spend all your time pretending to be someone else, who do you become? In this story of acceptance and friendship, Evan prepares for his bar mitzvah, grapples with his father’s affair, and learns from his rabbi, all the while presented with various images of what it means to be a man. While he struggles to fit in with the popular boys at school, he eventually learns that being cool is not as important as being a good friend—and a good person. With relatable humor and accessible language, and at a consumable length, this book is perfect for all tweens and especially boys looking for a relatable read. An adaptation of the Broadway musical that inspired 13: A Novel is now streaming on Netflix. Jason Robert Brown returned to compose new music for the show, and the cast includes Rhea Perlman, Josh Peck, Debra Messing, and Peter Hermann.
208 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2008
5 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Jason Robert Brown
112 books13 followersJason studied composition at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., with Samuel Adler, Christopher Rouse, and Joseph Schwantner. He now divides his time between Los Angeles, California and Spoleto, Italy. Jason is a proud member of the Dramatist's Guild and the American Federation of Musicians Local 802 & 47.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
April 20, 2025
⭐️: 4/5
Waterstones me hizo acabar comprando un libro infantil y, contra todo pronóstico, mereció la pena. Sin perder de vista al público que se dirige, aporta lecciones de interés entre sus páginas. La libra mejor invertida de mi año supongo :).
Waterstones me hizo acabar comprando un libro infantil y, contra todo pronóstico, mereció la pena. Sin perder de vista al público que se dirige, aporta lecciones de interés entre sus páginas. La libra mejor invertida de mi año supongo :).
July 31, 2008
Of the three (albeit very different) books I've most recently read, Thirteen is, hands down, my favorite. Thirteen is the last from this month’s stack of YA books I got from Harper Collins, and I have to say I loved it. LOVED. IT. I read it in one evening after work, and when I got to the end, I literally bawled out of pride and love for the main character.
The book is about Evan, tween-ish boy whose Mom moves him out of Manhattan and into a small town in Indiana mere months before his thirteenth birthday. Being Jewish, his struggle to settle into in this new life happens to coincide with his preparations for his upcoming bar mitzvah (which, for those who don’t know, is a Jewish ceremony celebrating “becoming a man”, to put it simply). I ached for Evan as he fought to reconcile the part of himself that just wanted to fit in with the part of himself that wanted to man up and do what is right, and I wanted to hug him when it was all over.
Although the book obviously has a focus on a Jewish theme, I truly believe that people of all faiths will love it as I did. (Note, though, that I do admit that my sometimes-wannabe-Jewishness could make me slightly biased/more open-minded than I think.)
The book is about Evan, tween-ish boy whose Mom moves him out of Manhattan and into a small town in Indiana mere months before his thirteenth birthday. Being Jewish, his struggle to settle into in this new life happens to coincide with his preparations for his upcoming bar mitzvah (which, for those who don’t know, is a Jewish ceremony celebrating “becoming a man”, to put it simply). I ached for Evan as he fought to reconcile the part of himself that just wanted to fit in with the part of himself that wanted to man up and do what is right, and I wanted to hug him when it was all over.
Although the book obviously has a focus on a Jewish theme, I truly believe that people of all faiths will love it as I did. (Note, though, that I do admit that my sometimes-wannabe-Jewishness could make me slightly biased/more open-minded than I think.)
July 4, 2009
NO for our library.
What a shame! This book is outstanding and a sure hit among its readers... but in this case the intended audience is clearly middle schoolers. In this High School Musical-esque story about a boy whose parents separate resulting in moving to a new town/school a month before his Bat Mitzvah, our main character struggles between keeping friends with the bookish neighbor/classmate or ditching her for a much cooler/popular group. It's very much written for its audience, but that audience is not elementary school students. A little too much love and hormones for students in grades 4 and 5.
What a shame! This book is outstanding and a sure hit among its readers... but in this case the intended audience is clearly middle schoolers. In this High School Musical-esque story about a boy whose parents separate resulting in moving to a new town/school a month before his Bat Mitzvah, our main character struggles between keeping friends with the bookish neighbor/classmate or ditching her for a much cooler/popular group. It's very much written for its audience, but that audience is not elementary school students. A little too much love and hormones for students in grades 4 and 5.
July 21, 2009
I LOVE THIS BOOK!!! I saw the musical and then read the book.
It tells the hilarious story of Evan Goldman, who is forced to move to Appleton, Indiana ("where the UFO's go to refil") when his parents get a divorce.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!
It tells the hilarious story of Evan Goldman, who is forced to move to Appleton, Indiana ("where the UFO's go to refil") when his parents get a divorce.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK!!!
June 26, 2017
The musical is better. But this isn't a bad showing of the story.
January 1, 2021
Except the sexual part, I liked the novel.
March 9, 2023
The musical is better ;)
March 18, 2015
Just a few months shy of his 13th birthday, native New Yorker Evan Goldman is doing pretty well, he thinks. For instance, he's finally made contact with his crush's upper lip. But his celebratory bubble is burst when his parents announce an imminent divorce, and then his mother insists on moving him to middle-of-nowhere Indiana. To make matters worse, Evan's mom is now insisting he have a Bar Mitzvah, even though there aren't even any other Jews in Appleton, and the only site available for the ceremony is the basement of the Methodist Church! But at least they found a nearby rabbi on the internet. Still, things begin to settle, as they will. Evan makes a summer friend, Patrice, and then finds himself in the Dan Quayle Jr. High "cool" crowd headed by local football star, Bret. (Although this does limit his interaction with the outcast Patrice, who eventually stops talking to him.) Now he's thinking that maybe the Bar Mitzvah won't be so bad, what, with a huge crowd of local, popular kids around him -- even if they aren't sure what a Bar Mitzvah is. But then, a misunderstanding makes him a pariah, and he is left wondering if he will ever fit in anywhere. And whether his mom and the rabbi will be the only people at the Methodist Church in a few days. Interestingly, this novel is based on a musical. Sadly, it is a little trite. It's not quite so bad as, "Wait, I've seen this before. Wasn't it called Keeping up with the Steins?" (A charming little film, by the way.) But it isn't going anywhere that can't be seen a mile away either. The tension falls a little flat when you don't seriously believe that he'll never get a speech written, his Bar Mitzvah will be empty and Patrice will never talk to him again. However, this might not be so bad for a twelve year-old audience, most of whom would be sorely disappointed in an ending where, say, nobody does show up to Evan's Bar Mitzvah. The themes are simple, "becoming a man" obviously chief among them, and should appeal strongly to those around Evan's age. Also, these are tween-aged worries. I remember having some of the same myself. With the whole plot centering around the upcoming Bar Mitzvah, I was afraid that this might be solely a Jewish-niche book, but the themes are surprisingly universal. Replace the religious event with a big birthday bash, for instance, and you have a story that could be about just anyone. Moving, divorce, popularity, friendship, fitting in, growing up, family... this is the stuff YA literature is made of, and it is all here. One aspect in which 13 really soars is the humor. Evan is a very sharp and witty narrator. The subplot with the terminally-ill Archie is often heartwarming, but more often hilarious. (Not at the expense of Archie, mind.) I'll forgive a book almost anything if it is funny. I enjoyed 13, for the most part, and think it will serve it's target audience, 11-13 year old boys, very well. I think, as a fairly simple and quick read, it might be an easier sell for reluctant readers, especially those who will see themselves in the text. For adults, like myself, who enjoy reading a lot of children's and YA lit, not so much. It isn't a waste of time, but there are better things out there. On the other hand, if the musical ever comes into town, I'm totally seeing it.
February 25, 2017
My school is currently putting on the musical 13, so I figured I'd check out the novelization for some laughs. I wasn't expecting much, so I was pleasantly surprised. The book is obviously geared towards middle-schoolers, so after taking that into account, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Evan can be a real idiot, but you can understand where he's coming from. He struggles with feeling the need to be popular in a new town with nobody he knows. It's interesting reading the novel after knowing the musical so well because of course there are discrepancies, but that is to be expected. It's easy to forget that these kids are supposed to be twelve when you watch 16-year-olds play them all the time, but the novel makes it very clear that these kids are in middle school. They have no idea what they're doing, and their views of the world and what's important are completely screwed. However, this adds to the genuine feel of the novel, and makes for great comedy. I would definitely recommend reading this to anybody out there over the age of 10.
January 9, 2014
I wanted to really like this novel. As an adult I enjoy young adult fiction. It reminds me of when I was that pre-teen and high school age and all the drama that went with it.
sadly, this book was disappointing. The only character I truly liked was Patrice. Even Archie, the handicapped boy, is portrayed in the novel in a way that I didn't enjoy. As a person with a disability myself, I found Archie's manipulative blackmailing of Evan upsetting. I know for a fact that not all disabled individuals are saints or act like symbols of virtue, but Archie's behavior was, for lack of a better word, terrible. He had a physical disability. Not a mental one, from what I got from this book. He knew what he was doing was wrong, and in the end, he was portrayed as though Evan was at least 50% responsible for some of the misfortune that befalls him.
As for Evan himself, he's a character that grows. He understands what's important and develops into a less shallow character. I admire that. However, no one else in the book really develops. Yes, they're twelve/thirteen-year-olds and probably running rampant with teenage drama and immaturity. However, the characters acted more like sixteen and seventeen-year-olds than thirteen-year-olds.
In addition to this, Brett's character was abhorant. The typical jock. I was also troubled by the fact that at twelve or thirteen, Brett was able to get away with punching Evan in the face. On school property to boot. Evan's mother is said to have looked into it, but no punishment would be handed out. I know that reality is most times jocks that are star athletes go unpunished. However, these kids are junior high kids. You mean to tell me that there was nothing done? No suspension of any kind? Again, this bothered me and only attributed to my dissatisfaction of the novel.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I know that's hard to say. I didn't have trouble reading it through. I wanted to see what would happen. I wanted a novel where a shallow character grows and realizes that's important. Evand id that. He came to realize that Patrice wasn't someone to shun and even finds romance with h er. Great. Love it. I'm a sucker for romance. I'm happy that Evan grew as a person. But the epilogue of sorts that is given after all is said and done doesn't do enough to fulfill my needs in what I want when I read books. I wanted to give this book a higher rating, but I simply couldn't.
sadly, this book was disappointing. The only character I truly liked was Patrice. Even Archie, the handicapped boy, is portrayed in the novel in a way that I didn't enjoy. As a person with a disability myself, I found Archie's manipulative blackmailing of Evan upsetting. I know for a fact that not all disabled individuals are saints or act like symbols of virtue, but Archie's behavior was, for lack of a better word, terrible. He had a physical disability. Not a mental one, from what I got from this book. He knew what he was doing was wrong, and in the end, he was portrayed as though Evan was at least 50% responsible for some of the misfortune that befalls him.
As for Evan himself, he's a character that grows. He understands what's important and develops into a less shallow character. I admire that. However, no one else in the book really develops. Yes, they're twelve/thirteen-year-olds and probably running rampant with teenage drama and immaturity. However, the characters acted more like sixteen and seventeen-year-olds than thirteen-year-olds.
In addition to this, Brett's character was abhorant. The typical jock. I was also troubled by the fact that at twelve or thirteen, Brett was able to get away with punching Evan in the face. On school property to boot. Evan's mother is said to have looked into it, but no punishment would be handed out. I know that reality is most times jocks that are star athletes go unpunished. However, these kids are junior high kids. You mean to tell me that there was nothing done? No suspension of any kind? Again, this bothered me and only attributed to my dissatisfaction of the novel.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I know that's hard to say. I didn't have trouble reading it through. I wanted to see what would happen. I wanted a novel where a shallow character grows and realizes that's important. Evand id that. He came to realize that Patrice wasn't someone to shun and even finds romance with h er. Great. Love it. I'm a sucker for romance. I'm happy that Evan grew as a person. But the epilogue of sorts that is given after all is said and done doesn't do enough to fulfill my needs in what I want when I read books. I wanted to give this book a higher rating, but I simply couldn't.
August 1, 2009
In three months Evan will be 13. He is already planning his Bar Mitzvah when he learns his mom and dad are splitting up and he’s moving to middle of nowhere Appleton, Indiana. On top of leaving NYC and his friends, Evan now has to plan his Bar Mitzvah in Indiana. He knows no one will show up and is horrified to know that it will take place in the basement of the Methodist Church. Even though Evan expects his life to be miserable he soon befriends Patrice, a pretty girl who loves old movies and is a little bit of a geek. Evan never has a problem with her until he becomes friends with Bret. Bret is an all American boy. He’s the junior high’s quarterback and is loved by all the girls and parents, for that matter. As Evan becomes more involved with Brett and his gang of friends he starts to lose sight of how friends are supposed to treat each other. As the weeks go by Evan gets tangled up with planning his “becoming a man” speech, more drama than he can handle, and a particularly weird situation which includes the movie The Bloodmaster. Evan soon learns that being a man isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and ends up learning more about himself then he ever thought possible.
I was quite pleased with this book. I don’t always enjoy middle grade fiction because I find it hard to relate to, but I can vividly remember being 13. The author made an unforgettable character out of Evan that made me laugh out loud and reminisce about days when I was his age. I remember going through similar situations as Evan did and handling them just about as well as Evan did! This book also made me laugh. Just the style of writing and the words that came out of the character’s mouths were funny. While middle grade novels may not be your first choice, I highly suggest you pick this one up and laugh along with the story. This book would also be good for reluctant readers. It’s not particularly long, yet it is long enough to be a wholesome story. The message of self discovery and being your own kind of person is also a great part of this book. 13 was an enjoyable read that will keep readers wanting more.
I was quite pleased with this book. I don’t always enjoy middle grade fiction because I find it hard to relate to, but I can vividly remember being 13. The author made an unforgettable character out of Evan that made me laugh out loud and reminisce about days when I was his age. I remember going through similar situations as Evan did and handling them just about as well as Evan did! This book also made me laugh. Just the style of writing and the words that came out of the character’s mouths were funny. While middle grade novels may not be your first choice, I highly suggest you pick this one up and laugh along with the story. This book would also be good for reluctant readers. It’s not particularly long, yet it is long enough to be a wholesome story. The message of self discovery and being your own kind of person is also a great part of this book. 13 was an enjoyable read that will keep readers wanting more.
November 6, 2012
Reviewed by Tasha for TeensReadToo.com
In three months, Evan will be thirteen. He is already planning his Bar Mitzvah when he learns his mom and dad are splitting up and he's moving to the middle of nowhere -- Appleton, Indiana. On top of leaving NYC and his friends, Evan now has to plan his Bar Mitzvah in Indiana. He knows no one will show up and is horrified to find out that it will take place in the basement of the Methodist Church.
Even though Evan expects his life to be miserable, he soon befriends Patrice, a pretty girl who loves old movies and is a little bit of a geek. Evan never has a problem with her until he becomes friends with Bret. Bret is an All-American boy. He's the junior high's quarterback and is loved by all the girls and their parents, too, for that matter. As Evan becomes more involved with Brett and his gang of friends, he starts to lose sight of how friends are really supposed to treat each other.
As the weeks go by, Evan gets tangled up with planning his "becoming a man" speech, more drama than he can handle, and a particularly weird situation which involves the movie The Bloodmaster. Evan soon learns that being a man isn't all it's cracked up to be and ends up learning more about himself then he ever thought possible.
I was quite pleased with this book. I don't always enjoy middle-grade fiction because I find it hard to relate to, but I can vividly remember being thirteen. The authors made an unforgettable character out of Evan that made me laugh-out-loud and reminisce about days when I was his age. I remember going through similar situations as Evan did and handling them just about as well as Evan did! Just the style of writing and the words that came out of the character's mouths were funny.
While middle-grade novels may not be your first choice, I highly suggest you pick this one up and laugh along with the story. This book would also be good for reluctant readers. It's not particularly long, yet it is long enough to be a wholesome story. The message of self discovery and being your own kind of person is also a great part of this book. 13 was an enjoyable read that will keep readers wanting more.
In three months, Evan will be thirteen. He is already planning his Bar Mitzvah when he learns his mom and dad are splitting up and he's moving to the middle of nowhere -- Appleton, Indiana. On top of leaving NYC and his friends, Evan now has to plan his Bar Mitzvah in Indiana. He knows no one will show up and is horrified to find out that it will take place in the basement of the Methodist Church.
Even though Evan expects his life to be miserable, he soon befriends Patrice, a pretty girl who loves old movies and is a little bit of a geek. Evan never has a problem with her until he becomes friends with Bret. Bret is an All-American boy. He's the junior high's quarterback and is loved by all the girls and their parents, too, for that matter. As Evan becomes more involved with Brett and his gang of friends, he starts to lose sight of how friends are really supposed to treat each other.
As the weeks go by, Evan gets tangled up with planning his "becoming a man" speech, more drama than he can handle, and a particularly weird situation which involves the movie The Bloodmaster. Evan soon learns that being a man isn't all it's cracked up to be and ends up learning more about himself then he ever thought possible.
I was quite pleased with this book. I don't always enjoy middle-grade fiction because I find it hard to relate to, but I can vividly remember being thirteen. The authors made an unforgettable character out of Evan that made me laugh-out-loud and reminisce about days when I was his age. I remember going through similar situations as Evan did and handling them just about as well as Evan did! Just the style of writing and the words that came out of the character's mouths were funny.
While middle-grade novels may not be your first choice, I highly suggest you pick this one up and laugh along with the story. This book would also be good for reluctant readers. It's not particularly long, yet it is long enough to be a wholesome story. The message of self discovery and being your own kind of person is also a great part of this book. 13 was an enjoyable read that will keep readers wanting more.
February 27, 2012
13 is an unlucky number. Here is a cool episode from old time radio about Friday the 13th on the show The Origin of Superstitions. Reading 13 you really do start to believe that 13 is a seriously unlucky number and age, for Evan. Evan's parents have just split up and Evan's mom has decided that she and Evan are moving from the heart of NYC to the Heartland. This is quite the change for Evan, used to being a city kid and doing city kid things. Now he is the only kid in town not used to running in gym thinking that football is a big deal. He's also the only Jewish kid around and his upcoming bar mitzvah will be held in the basement of the United Methodist Church.
A quick and good for a laugh. Evan is a very likeable dude and you really, really root for him. The book is also a musical! See Jason Robert Brown is a pretty big deal Broadway songwriter. I totally would see this musical! It kinda reminds me in a way of Falsettos.
A quick and good for a laugh. Evan is a very likeable dude and you really, really root for him. The book is also a musical! See Jason Robert Brown is a pretty big deal Broadway songwriter. I totally would see this musical! It kinda reminds me in a way of Falsettos.
August 8, 2015
[review written 2011]
So this book was really cool. 13 by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish is based off the musical, and written by the same writers of the musical. I found it disappointing it had basically the same plot as the musical–I would have liked to see Evan’s life in Indiana or New York, but if you listen to the soundtrack and can read fast, it’s great, because you hit the songs roughly the same time as you hit the plot in the book.
But 13 was a very enjoyable book nonetheless. The portrayal of the “popular kids” and the “unpopular kids” are spot on from what I find in my middle school (hence, the reason I don’t like going to school every day). Evan was a very relatable character, and it was funny. Archie annoyed me a lot.
So this book was really cool. 13 by Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish is based off the musical, and written by the same writers of the musical. I found it disappointing it had basically the same plot as the musical–I would have liked to see Evan’s life in Indiana or New York, but if you listen to the soundtrack and can read fast, it’s great, because you hit the songs roughly the same time as you hit the plot in the book.
But 13 was a very enjoyable book nonetheless. The portrayal of the “popular kids” and the “unpopular kids” are spot on from what I find in my middle school (hence, the reason I don’t like going to school every day). Evan was a very relatable character, and it was funny. Archie annoyed me a lot.
January 2, 2016
13: A Novel by Jason Robert Brown is an enjoyable book about a 12 year old boy (turning 13) and his adventure to become a man. It all started in New York when he found out about his dad and his girlfriend. From there, his life became hell; his Bar Mitzvah, Archie, Brett and his gang, Patricia, Louisiana, his dad, and lots more!
I enjoyed reading this book for many different reasons. It's different from the books I've read because it demonstrates real life experiences people around my age may have dealt with. This book is unique in a different way, it sometimes gets really emotional or very hilarious. It's a roller coaster!
I enjoyed reading this book for many different reasons. It's different from the books I've read because it demonstrates real life experiences people around my age may have dealt with. This book is unique in a different way, it sometimes gets really emotional or very hilarious. It's a roller coaster!
April 7, 2009
Thirteen-year-old Even from New York City is forced to move to small-town America when his parents divorce. In Appleton, Indiana, much to Evans delight, he is taken under the wing of the local middle-school football hero. However, as he quickly finds out, being part of the "in" crowd is not all it's cracked up to be. Evan has to figure out if he wants the in-crowd more than he wants true friendship.
I'm not sure what to think of this book. It's a great boy-book and very funny. However, it seems a bit over the top with the peer-pressure and portrayal of school cliques.
I'm not sure what to think of this book. It's a great boy-book and very funny. However, it seems a bit over the top with the peer-pressure and portrayal of school cliques.
August 22, 2009
I love Evan and Patrice, and even Archie is not your run-of-the-mill physically disabled kid. The reader may know that Evan's Bar Mitzvah will turn out okay, that Evan will eventually get back together with Patrice, and that all loose threads will be tied up nicely, but the humor throughout is what makes this book so appealing. All in all, a very enjoyable Read!
April 6, 2010
When Evan, almost 13, learns that his parents are separating and he and his mom are moving to Indiana, he worries that he won't make any friends. What makes it even worse is that his mom wants his bar mitzvah to take place there. Pressured to make friends, Evan falls in with the "cool" crowd, but soon realizes how mean they can be, eventually going back to his true friends.
February 5, 2011
Written by the lyricist/composer of The Last 5 Years, a beautiful musical, and 13 the musical, among others. I thought I would give the book with the same plot as the musical a shot. Not worth it. The story was very shallow, and the characters are one dimensional. Maybe if I was 10, I would have enjoyed the book. I normally enjoy teen fiction too, but this book was hard to finish.
October 11, 2009
Well I seem not to like many books this weekend.
This book was only about KISSING. And school stuff, it sounded like one of those boy-crazed boys telling this story.
It sucked, I really don't recommended this book.
This book was only about KISSING. And school stuff, it sounded like one of those boy-crazed boys telling this story.
It sucked, I really don't recommended this book.
December 25, 2008
Well,it is not a barn burner. But, it has humor and heart. Will be
curious to see how it fares translated to Broadway stage.
curious to see how it fares translated to Broadway stage.
December 14, 2008
When Evan's father falls in love with a stewardess Evan and His mom move to Indiana for a fresh start. It's not a bad story, but I can't say it really captivated me either.
February 18, 2009
Predictable, but a good read especially for students dealing with teen angst.
September 3, 2010
Cute, short, and Jewish. Now I need to check out the cast recording.
November 15, 2010
This book is SO funny! It would be nice if they described when Evan went to New York more. This is a good book! Love it!!
November 29, 2010
This is a fun story about a 12 year old Jewish boy preparing for his Bar Mitzvah. He has recently moved to a new state and is having a hard time keeping his friends.
January 23, 2012
All hail the brain(:
February 22, 2012
I like a lot of YA but this was way too Y for me.
April 6, 2013
This book is exactly like the musical (or the other way around). I really like it. It has everyday teen problems, and it doesn't try to make them seem easier than they really are.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews