Overall, an intriguing read that kept me guessing but wishing for more. Likewise with Charlie’s burgeoning romance with Laura’s younger sister, Eliza, and Charlie’s own parents – who came across a bit one-dimensional. Considering the depth of the secret between them, the stakes just didn’t lend enough conflict and tension to their interactions like I craved. Their banter was natural and engaging and I loved their scenes together, but the key relationship between Charlie and Jasper just never quite hit the mark for me. The relationship between Charlie and his best friend, a young Vietnamese boy who also feels the brunt of the town’s prejudice – was outstandingly portrayed. This is part of the reason that Craig Silvey set Jasper Jones in Corrigan because he can relate to it and knows what its like. The author of Jasper Jones addresses the issue of racism, and this topic does. Jasper convinces Charlie to help him hide the body while they try to solve the murder themselves, and from there, we meet the other players in the small town, and layers of secrets unravel to the unexpected conclusion of the drama.įor all the twists and turns (there were a LOT of them) in the plot, this story is firmly focused on its characters, and that was where it fell a little short for me. The novel, Jasper Jones, written by Craig Silvey, is the story of Charlie. Jasper is terrified he will be blamed for the girl’s murder, as the local police chief is the town bully and definitely has it out for Jasper. The foremost theme is the prejudice within the population of Corrigan. Jasper begs Charlie to come with him, only to reveal the dead body of a missing local girl, Laura. The novel Jasper Jones (2009) by Australian author Craig Silvey, illustrates the story Charlie Bucktin, a 13 year old boy living in the parochial mining town of Corrigan, in 1965. Set in a small rural Australian town in the 1960’s, we begin with our protagonist, thirteen year-old Charlie Bucktin, being paid a late-night visit by classmate (and school outcast due to his aboriginal heritage), Jasper Jones. Craig Silvey with one version of the front cover of his novel. I almost don’t know where to begin with this one – there’s just so much to unpack. You have either finished, or just about finished, the novel JASPER JONES and are. My letter “J” pick for the A to Z book challenge was Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey.

Author jasper jones