“Jasper Jones fell out of this world and nobody noticed...And they'll notice now because something has been burned. Now they'll look for Jasper Jones.” 

Jasper Jones... how long i have waited for you. i knew it was going to be good because some of my favourite reviewers had raved about it. and when has aussie lit ever let me down?
Jasper Jones pulls you in from the first page the moment a stranger by the name of Jasper Jones lets himself in through Charlie Bucktin's window. Oh, he's heard of him aright, but it all consists of town folks saying he's bad news. everyone knows that if anything bad happens in town, most likely, it's Jasper Jones fault. If someones child isn't acting accordingly, well then, surely it's that Jasper Jones influence. But charlie sees something different in him, so when he pleads with him to come with, charlie follows.

He will wish he didn't.
What they discover is horrible. terrible. beyond what Charlie could have imagined. But now it's too late. he's a witness now, a participant. now a boy who comes from a seemingly sheltered family (or so we are told to assume) is thrust into a situation way beyond his control.
From there on we are able to be spectators to Charlie's world. With him we witness the extreme racism that is the norm which he is privy to daily. His own best friend Jeffrey Lu is taunted and mentally abused by others, as well as his family.

  Life during that time was not ideal by a long shot and it gave me a mix of emotions. a part of me resented Charlie not sticking up for his friend, and another, for Jeffrey for not doing so either. another for people merely watching like nothing is happening. personally, it was deeply hurtful to watch. I just couldn't understand it. it was even more frustrating knowing i couldn't slap those knuckle heads myself on Jeffrey's behalf.

Meanwhile, we also take this sweet journey of Charlies love-life. it's strange. on one end there is this big secret eating him up inside, and on the other, this horrible racism that he is privy to, and as terrible as it all is we are able to see this sweet side too. it's quite lovely seeing him grow before our very eyes. he's utterly relatable as this shy, innocent young boy whose heart practically beats out of his chest every time he sees his crush.

It's a heartbreaking tale because although there are a few sweet moments, the majority of his life is pretty terrible. his mother has practically lost her mind from resentment of her life, her family, and everything else one can think of. on the other hand, Jasper Jones is all alone in this world. His father is a terrible drunkard who is never home. to top it off  you have a town full of people who hate him because it's easier to have someone to blame. specifically someone with no family.
This book really left me unsettled and conflicted. but i'm glad, because any book that can instill these kind of emotions is definitely doing something right . a must read.

Note: I read this in December last year so this review was long overdue. I hope you are all doing well. I'm thinking of doing a catch up post with some pictures. I don't know if anyone is reading any of this because I have been gone for so long but either way HIIIII. I miss you all a lot. <3