Jasper Jones has won a stack of Australian awards and it deserves every one of them in my opinion. This novel sees Charlie, the 13 year old quiet, bookish protagonist increasingly drawn into a complicated mystery which will rob him of his innocence and change his world view completely. Brilliant dialogue coupled with the compelling plot should see this wonderfully authentic Australian novel join the ranks of the must-read coming-of-age classics such as Catcher in the Rye, and Lord of he Flies. A big claim I know, but read it and I’m sure you’ll agree!