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JASPER JONES

Jasper Jones
Author Information
Author's Last Name: 
Silvey
Author's First Name: 
Craig
Publisher: 
Alfred A. Knopf
Publication Month: 
April
Publication Date: 
2011
2013 Nomination (not yet selected): 

Nearly 14-year-old Charlie is awakened one hot night by Jasper Jones, an often misunderstood peer of his, who has found the dead body of a girl they both know. Charlie becomes involved in the incident, and the mystery of what actually happened unfolds. Charlie confronts his fears, racism, and learns about family, friendship and love in a small town in 1960s Western Australia. This very intricate coming-of-age novel, has a strong, evocative plot and accurate teen voices discussing what teens still discuss today. 14 and up.

Dragged into a murder mystery by a local outcast, Charlie finds himself knee-deep in the problems of his small Australian town, dealing realistically with deep-seated issues, and maturing in the process.

Comments

Positive Comments: The

by ladamson - 10/19/2011 - 10:49am

Positive Comments:

  • The author skillfully tackles many issues without ever seeming to overwhelm readers or creating a didactic problem novel.
  • The beautiful language offers the epitome of a coming-of-age story.
  • The expertly presented humor intermingled with the underlying racism in a small western Australian town offers a real setting from climate to a friend’s father’s flower garden.

Concerns:

  • Readers need to know the game of cricket because things happening in the game mirror the events in the protagonist’s life.
  • Readers may have difficulty suspending disbelief as to why Jasper Jones picks he does.

Meeting Notes September 23

by ladamson - 09/29/2011 - 10:32am

Meeting Notes September 23

  • Needs more readers.