Several Years ago I was browsing the library shelves and I chose a book that turned out to be so incredible, I wondered why nobody seemed to be talking about it (I still haven't run across any mention of it except on Goodreads, after all this time). Maybe it was because it wasn't an Oprah-book-club-thing, or because it was written by the lead singer of an Australian rock band and so nobody took it seriously enough to try it. Maybe it was because the book deals with issues that polite society likes to sweep under the rug. Or maybe it is because the book sets those issue in a time and place that hasn't been popular in the news media in recent years. Whatever the reason, I think it's time that this novel gets the attention it deserves, and the readers that, to judge by the absence of hype, have undoubtedly been lacking.
The book I'm referring to is Jasper Jones by Craig Silvey.
Charlie Bucktin, a bookish thirteen year old, is startled one summer night by an urgent knock on his bedroom window. His visitor is Jasper Jones, an outcast in their small mining town, and he has come to ask for Charlie's help. Terribly afraid but desperate to impress, Charlie follows him into the night.
Jasper takes him to his secret glade, where Charlie witnesses Jasper's horrible discovery. With his secret like a brick in his belly, Charlie is pushed and pulled by a town closing in on itself in fear and suspicion. He locks horns with his tempestuous mother, falls nervously in love, and battles to keep a lid on his zealous best friend. In the simmering summer where everything changes, Charlie learns why the truth of things is so hard to know, and even harder to hold in his heart. - excerpt from book jacket
This novel is deep and extremely thought-provoking, exploring stereotypes and prejudice and the impact they can have on individuals and communities alike. Should we respect and trust somebody simply because they hold a position of authority, even though we know nothing of their personal life? Does having a child who appears to be perfect mean that the mother and/or father are model parents? Should we judge somebody by their appearance, socio-economic status, or ethnic background? Should we jump to conclusions and form opinions when we don't have all of the facts? These are just some of the questions raised in Jasper Jones.
And that is exactly what makes this book so special. It doesn't just tackle one way in which people allow their thoughts and actions to be influenced by perceptions. It doesn't just address one type of discrimination or the way we sometimes erroneously place a public figure onto a pedestal. Instead, the author explores the issue from several angles at once, ingeniously weaving them into one cohesive story that illustrates the broader lesson.
My only disappointment with this book was (and still is) the fact that because of the subject matter (adultery, incest, murder/suicide) as well as some profanity, it is probably not appropriate for most readers younger than high school. This is an absolute shame, because the message that the book shares is so incredibly appropriate and relevant for the early teenage years, especially for those who are transitioning from junior high to high school, where they will be in a new environment, choosing new friends, and encountering new situations with choices to be made - all of which will impact their development as they grow into the person they will be as an adult. Not to mention the impact that their decisions and actions will have on others that they come in contact with. Parents might consider reading the novel with the more mature younger teen and discussing it as they go along. The opportunity to read such a powerful novel that teaches an incredibly important lesson so well should not be missed.
Rating: 5 Stars
Reading Level: 3.9
Age Appropriate: Upper Grades
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