Selena Gomez will star in an adaptation of Jay Asher's novel 13 Reasons Why for Universal Pictures.

The story centers on a timid California teenager who returns home from school to find a box with seven cassette tapes recorded by his crush, Hannah Baker, who recently committed suicide. The tapes were given to one student before her death, with instructions to pass them along to 13 students, much like a chain letter. The cassettes explain how each of the 13 people played a part in her suicide.

Jennifer O'Kieffe is adapting the novel for Universal. A director hasn't been attached at this time and it isn't clear when production will start. Eric Newman and Marc Abraham will produce through their Strike Force Entertainment banner along with Mandy Teefey.

The novel was first published in 2007 and became a best-seller shortly thereafter.