CRAIG SILVEY wrote his first novel, Rhubarb, at the age of 19. It became a bestseller and was chosen as the "One Book" for the Perth International Writers Festival. Craig is the singer/songwriter for the band The Nancy Sikes! and lives in Fremantle, Australia.
Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, March 15, 2011:
"The author’s keen ear for dialogue is evident in the humorous
verbal sparring between Charlie and Jeffrey, typical of smart
13-year-old boys...A richly rewarding exploration of truth and lies
by a masterful storyteller."
Starred Review, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books,
April 2011:
"Silvey’s sure-footed, evocative prose, intelligent humor, and
careful plot structuring may well ensure this Aussie import lasting
status."
Starred Review, The Horn Book Magazine, May/June 2011:
"The mood and atmosphere of the 1960s small-town Australian setting
is perfectly realized—suspenseful, menacing, and
claustrophobic—with issues of race and class boiling just below the
surface."
Starred Review, School Library Journal, June 2011:
"Silvey is a master of wit and words, spinning a coming-of-age tale
told through the mind of a young Holden Caulfield."
Gr 10 Up-A rap on the window awakens 13-year-old Charlie Bucktin. He's startled to find Jasper Jones, the bad boy of his small Australian town, frantic and in need of his help. Charlie follows Jasper into the night and is led to the battered body of Laura Wishart, hanging from the noose of a eucalyptus tree. Jasper is desperate to cut Laura down as the rope around her neck belongs to him. Convinced of Jasper's innocence, Charlie helps submerge Laura's body in a river and the boys vow to find Laura's killer. Set in the 1960s during the Vietnam War, Craig Silvey's novel (Knopf, 2011) perfectly captures the time period. Charlie's small town reacts with fear at Laura's disappearance and the bigotry simmering just below the surface of the town erupts into violence. Matt Cowlrick gives each character a unique voice and his pacing is impeccable. Strong language and mature content make this appropriate for older teens.-Tricia Melgaard, formerly Broken Arrow Public Schools, Tulsa, OK (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
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