Jasper Jones Written By Craig Silvey

I have nearly finished a book called Jasper Jones. It is written by an Australian writer called Craig Silvey and The Monthly has called it quote 'an Australian, To Kill a Mockingbird' which by the way is a fantastic book as well if you haven't read it. Jasper Jones is a brilliantly written book. The genre put me off though, it is a Mystery and I have never been into any Agatha Christie (except the Mystery of the Blue Train or something along the lines of that) or Nancy Drew but Jasper Jones completely changed my mind on the whole aspect of the Mystery genre. The blurb is long and confusing so I will just give you a summary of what it is about:
Jasper Jones is a boy that the town regards as 'the one you stay away from' (you know the type). But Charlie finds him calling his name during the night. Charlie climbs down his window to find Jasper there and needing his help. Jasper takes him to the hanging corpse of Laura Wishart. The questions you ask are: Who killed Laura? Why did Jasper 'choose' Charlie? and many more.
But before I go on the explain the characters I just need to say that, this book has the most quotable things in it. I am just reading telling myself that this piece of writing is brilliant.
(Warning: this book has swearing and adult themes)

• Charlie Bucktin: A precocious thirteen year old who is looking for ways to avoid being bullied for being too smart. A late night knock at the window from Jasper Jones offers an opportunity to help someone that could be answer to his problems. That is until he discovers Jasper's own problem, and from there his life takes a severe change that has repercussions on his family, his friends and his town.
• Jasper Jones: An outcast in his own town who has had to grow up fast as his father cares more for getting drunk than him. His aboriginal mother was killed in a car accident when he was two and the circumstances surrounding this death have greatly affected his Dad. Jasper is a natural athlete who is feted by the town on the football field, but vilified and accused of everything that goes wrong in the town.
• Jeffrey Lu: Charlie's Vietnamese neighbour who is a proud cricket tragic and Doug Walters worshipper. Crafty spin bowler and handy batsman who is never allowed to play in the town's team due to his race. A quick wit allows his to match intellectual horns with Charlie and they enjoy shooting the breeze when it gets too hot to play cricket.
• Laura Wishart: Laura Wishart is Jasper's true love and the sister of Eliza Wishart. Found dead in the beginnings of what is a excellent book.
• Eliza Wishart: Eliza Wishart is the 'love interest' of Charlie in this book. Proving to be a fun character that is head strong and smart. 
• Jack Lionel: The 'Crazy Man' on the street. He always yells at Jasper Jones, and Jasper is convinced he killed Laura.
• Rosie Jones: Rosie Jones is Jasper's mother who died. (not in the book though)
• Mark Twain: Author of the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and the Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Not a character in the story but is addressed quite frequently. 
• Doug Walters: Jeffery's hero. A cricket player Jeffery inspires to be like. Again not a character but addressed frequently.
• Gertrude Baniszewski: Charlie is reading in the archive newspapers about a crime that was committed in his town. And Gertrude Baniszewski was the murder and torturer of Sylivia.
• Sylvia: Sylvia was torture and murder by the above.

Thanks again to Shelfari. Check it out

The Book Friend :)