Jasper Jones is a must read!

This is a fabulous Australian story that will have you hooked from the first page!

It is a coming of age tale narrated by 13 year old Charlie Bucktin who is an awkward teen trying to fit in with his peers. The story unfolds when Jasper Jones, the town's tough outcast, comes knocking on Charlie's window one night asking for his help. Charlie is both intrigued and delighted but soon wishes he wasn't involved in what subsequently occurs.

Set in a ficticious mining town in remote Western Australia in the 1960's, the author includes references to current events such as the drafting for the Vietnam War, and Charlie's incomprehension of the small town racial hatred toward his Vietnamese friend, Jeffrey Lu, and his family.

Add into this a story of first love, and revelations of old family secrets, and it sums to an interesting, thought provoking read.

The imagery and characters are so wonderfully done with Jeffery Lu taking the prize! I found Charlie and Jeffrey's banter hilarious! This book is destined to become an Australian classic.

The Home Filez rating: 5 stars!