Jasper Jones is a coming-of-age novel that author Craig Silvey set in 1965, in the small town of Corrigan; full of secrecy and mistrust. Charlie Bucktin, an innocent boy of just thirteen, was forced to mature and grow over the course of a challenging and life-changing summer. With a little help from Jasper Jones, Charlie discovers new insights into society and the seemingly perfect town he lives in, as well as the people closest to him. The most important ideas and issues that Craig Silvey portrays in Jasper Jones are: coming of age and identity, injustice, and racism. These themes have a great impact on the reader. As they discover and face these new problems, Charlie and his best friend Jeffrey Lu gain a greater understanding of human nature and how to deal with the challenges life can throw at you. One of Silvey's main ideas in Jasper Jones is coming of age and identity. ; in this case, Charlie was thrown into adulthood and forced out of his immature, fearful self. During the novel Charlie begins to mature, show courage and assert himself. This turn of events occurs because Charlie chooses to help Jasper: “But I'm not going back. Rest. I follow Jasper Jones. And I see it. And everything changes. The world breaks, spins and shakes. (p. 12). He made a choice between doing what was right and what he thought was right. He knew that Jasper would immediately be blamed for Laura Wishart's death. The night Laura Wishart was found dead, Charlie changed as a person: he began to see everything in a different light, even his family life. He comes to terms with his mother; he realizes that his personal problems are being taken out on him and dominating their family life. Ruth Buc...... center of paper...... reader. Throughout the book, Charlie reveals secrets and truths about the world and society he lives in; secrets and truths that make him grow and move into adulthood. He also makes a life-changing decision and rebels against what he thought was the right thing. This reflects his maturity and courage during the journey he undertook that summer. Charlie's eyes are suddenly opened to the injustice demonstrated by the town of Corrigan. It also comes to address the issue of racism; not only towards his best friend Jeffrey and the Lu family, but also towards Jasper Jones. He realizes that the town of Corrigan is not willing to accept strangers. That summer Charlie not only discovers things about the people around him, but he also discovers who he is personally. Works Cited Silvey, C 2009, Jasper Jones, Allen & Unwin, Cross Nest NSW.