Tune in to the new radio call-in show, "Cec and Me", this Tuesday, October 19 to hear Jonathan Friesen share about his books, his work, and his life with mentor, Cecil Murphey and friend, Twila Belk.
"Cec" is best-selling author Cecil Murphey,(90 Minutes in Heaven). Humorist and author Twila Belk is the other half of this new online radio chat fest. They will be talking to Jonathan, taking calls and questions for him and even giving away books to some callers. Mark your calendar today!
Here's the link, just click-- http://www.toginet.com/shows/cecandme
Monday, October 18, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Jonathan Friesen Shares His Inspiration for RUSH*
*Originally published on the Knight Agency Blog
There was this guy in my church during my high school years. He was a nut. Not really, but he seemed to tilt toward crazy. A jittery man with jittery hands. He took a bunch of us teens rock-climbing trip. (Looking back, a huge lapse in parental responsibility.) The cliffs weren’t insane high, maybe one hundred feet, which only meant a shorter fall to our deaths.
Which, of course, was impossible. We had harnesses and straps and ropes and carabineers connecting us to this world—shoot, we couldn’t have fallen if we tried.
After a day of climbing, it was our guide’s turn (pay attention, ‘cause this is where the nut assessment comes into my memory of this man). Jittery walked to the edge of the cliff, the straight-down cliff, the smooth-no-finger-hold cliff, and vanished over the edge.
Spiderman. That’s what he was. He free climbed up and down and across. His fingertips found fissures and rough spots and he stuck like glue, scampered across that rock face.
I could barely force myself to edge. But I had to watch this spectacle. Finally, he crawled back over the lip into the land of the living. He didn’t fall on the ground and kiss it. He smiled and pushed us back from the edge. “You’re all too close.” All he said. His hand jitter was gone. He sounded at peace.
This most terrifying experience changed him, cleared him, and from the looks of things, he felt normal.
So I sit behind a computer dreaming up stories and I remember how death chased the jitters from a crazy man, and the idea for RUSH comes. Maybe he wasn’t so crazy. Maybe it’s me, whose idea of extreme sport is chasing my neighbor’s milk cows. Maybe I’m the nutty one.
Writing RUSH was my own trip into the world of the crazed. Into a place where safe feels like death and death feels like life.
And hey, I lived to tell about it!
*From http://knightagency.blogspot.com/2010/06/guest-blogger-jonathan-friesen-shares.html
There was this guy in my church during my high school years. He was a nut. Not really, but he seemed to tilt toward crazy. A jittery man with jittery hands. He took a bunch of us teens rock-climbing trip. (Looking back, a huge lapse in parental responsibility.) The cliffs weren’t insane high, maybe one hundred feet, which only meant a shorter fall to our deaths.
Which, of course, was impossible. We had harnesses and straps and ropes and carabineers connecting us to this world—shoot, we couldn’t have fallen if we tried.
After a day of climbing, it was our guide’s turn (pay attention, ‘cause this is where the nut assessment comes into my memory of this man). Jittery walked to the edge of the cliff, the straight-down cliff, the smooth-no-finger-hold cliff, and vanished over the edge.
Spiderman. That’s what he was. He free climbed up and down and across. His fingertips found fissures and rough spots and he stuck like glue, scampered across that rock face.
I could barely force myself to edge. But I had to watch this spectacle. Finally, he crawled back over the lip into the land of the living. He didn’t fall on the ground and kiss it. He smiled and pushed us back from the edge. “You’re all too close.” All he said. His hand jitter was gone. He sounded at peace.
This most terrifying experience changed him, cleared him, and from the looks of things, he felt normal.
So I sit behind a computer dreaming up stories and I remember how death chased the jitters from a crazy man, and the idea for RUSH comes. Maybe he wasn’t so crazy. Maybe it’s me, whose idea of extreme sport is chasing my neighbor’s milk cows. Maybe I’m the nutty one.
Writing RUSH was my own trip into the world of the crazed. Into a place where safe feels like death and death feels like life.
And hey, I lived to tell about it!
*From http://knightagency.blogspot.com/2010/06/guest-blogger-jonathan-friesen-shares.html
Monday, September 13, 2010
From the Menasha Library's KidLit Blog
The author of Jerk, California (winner of the Schneider Family Book Award) returns with another great read.
The only thing that will clear the clouds from Jake’s head is risking his life. He jumps off of waterfalls, takes risky rides on his dirtbike, climbs the town watertower, and scales rock walls. His father and older brother don’t understand what he does at all. His father basically owns their town and his perfect brother is following in his footsteps as a firefighter, something that holds no appeal for Jake. One thing with appeal is his best friend Salome, but he can never let it become anything more than just friends, because he hurts anything he gets close to and he can’t do that to her. When Jake’s older brother loses his best friend and quits the firefighters, Jake is offered a place on a crew that rappels into wildfires. It is a crew with a record of young firefighters dying. Jake isn’t worried, this suits his thrill-seeking nature just fine, but Salome refuses to stand by and watch him die. He now has to choose between his friend and the rush.
My short summary above just scratches the surface of this novel. It is a novel of depression and trying anything to feel clarity and connection. It is a novel of family, exploring the tension-filled relationship between brothers as well as fathers and sons. It is a novel of love, of taking that final step and feeling a different kind of clarity and rush. It is a novel of bravery, of honor, of betrayal. It is a novel that reads at breakneck pace, yet never loses touch with the importance of character and setting.
Jake is a great character in the novel, exploring the reason why people take large risks. He is a tormented soul, unable to form connections with those he loves, able only to bond with the thrills. Yet at the same time, he has friends who love him, despite the ways he pushes them away. The novel is beautifully written, exploring the danger and power of fire, which is used as a perfect metaphor for Jake and his own destructive nature.
A novel that will appeal to a broad range of readers, from those who are thrill seekers themselves and want a great action-filled read to those who are interested in a well-drawn character facing incredible odds.
from http://kidslit.menashalibrary.org/2010/07/28/rush/
The only thing that will clear the clouds from Jake’s head is risking his life. He jumps off of waterfalls, takes risky rides on his dirtbike, climbs the town watertower, and scales rock walls. His father and older brother don’t understand what he does at all. His father basically owns their town and his perfect brother is following in his footsteps as a firefighter, something that holds no appeal for Jake. One thing with appeal is his best friend Salome, but he can never let it become anything more than just friends, because he hurts anything he gets close to and he can’t do that to her. When Jake’s older brother loses his best friend and quits the firefighters, Jake is offered a place on a crew that rappels into wildfires. It is a crew with a record of young firefighters dying. Jake isn’t worried, this suits his thrill-seeking nature just fine, but Salome refuses to stand by and watch him die. He now has to choose between his friend and the rush.
My short summary above just scratches the surface of this novel. It is a novel of depression and trying anything to feel clarity and connection. It is a novel of family, exploring the tension-filled relationship between brothers as well as fathers and sons. It is a novel of love, of taking that final step and feeling a different kind of clarity and rush. It is a novel of bravery, of honor, of betrayal. It is a novel that reads at breakneck pace, yet never loses touch with the importance of character and setting.
Jake is a great character in the novel, exploring the reason why people take large risks. He is a tormented soul, unable to form connections with those he loves, able only to bond with the thrills. Yet at the same time, he has friends who love him, despite the ways he pushes them away. The novel is beautifully written, exploring the danger and power of fire, which is used as a perfect metaphor for Jake and his own destructive nature.
A novel that will appeal to a broad range of readers, from those who are thrill seekers themselves and want a great action-filled read to those who are interested in a well-drawn character facing incredible odds.
from http://kidslit.menashalibrary.org/2010/07/28/rush/
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
"BEST BOOK I'VE READ IN YEARS" from Amazon
Another 5 star review from Amazon.
August 17, 2010
By Yiddishkeit is me (Amazon reviewer)
This book took me out of my seat into the story. I can't say enough about this book. It made me so interested that I couldn't stop reading! I read it practically for a day straight and read it all in like a day and a half--which is something that I rarely do. This was absolutely amazing and I wish Friesen would write more books. I'm going out to get "Jerk, California" in half an hour because im still going crazy over how amazing Rush was. Such a perfect book.
from http://www.amazon.com/Rush-Jonathan-Friesen/dp/0142412589
August 17, 2010
By Yiddishkeit is me (Amazon reviewer)
This book took me out of my seat into the story. I can't say enough about this book. It made me so interested that I couldn't stop reading! I read it practically for a day straight and read it all in like a day and a half--which is something that I rarely do. This was absolutely amazing and I wish Friesen would write more books. I'm going out to get "Jerk, California" in half an hour because im still going crazy over how amazing Rush was. Such a perfect book.
from http://www.amazon.com/Rush-Jonathan-Friesen/dp/0142412589
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Friesen Understands the Adolescent Mind
Today's 5 star post comes from Amazon http://www.amazon.com/gp/pdp/profile/ADFDMSQWQ99EU/ref=cm_cr_dp_pdp
5.0 out of 5 stars
Friesen understands the adolescent mind, August 6, 2010
By schlrn
This review is from: Rush (Paperback)
I read this book after thoroughly enjoying Friesen's other book, "Jerk California". I wasn't sure what to expect, as I read his first book because it dealt with a topic that is very personal for my family, Tourette Syndrome. What became stunningly clear to me while reading "Rush" is that Friesen has a wonderful understanding of how the mind of an adolescent with any disability works. Whether it is Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, or any other disability, self doubt and constant fear that one does not deserve to be loved are common themes. Both "Rush" and "Jerk California" deal honestly, humorously, and tenderly with these feelings. I would highly recommend this book for any teen or pre-teen who has navigated (or is about to navigate) the sometimes brutal teen years with a disability. This book would also make an excellent classroom reading and discussion book, as it might help others to understand the feelings of their peers with disabilities. Great job, Jonathan Friesen! I can't wait for your next book.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Friesen understands the adolescent mind, August 6, 2010
By schlrn
This review is from: Rush (Paperback)
I read this book after thoroughly enjoying Friesen's other book, "Jerk California". I wasn't sure what to expect, as I read his first book because it dealt with a topic that is very personal for my family, Tourette Syndrome. What became stunningly clear to me while reading "Rush" is that Friesen has a wonderful understanding of how the mind of an adolescent with any disability works. Whether it is Tourette Syndrome, ADHD, or any other disability, self doubt and constant fear that one does not deserve to be loved are common themes. Both "Rush" and "Jerk California" deal honestly, humorously, and tenderly with these feelings. I would highly recommend this book for any teen or pre-teen who has navigated (or is about to navigate) the sometimes brutal teen years with a disability. This book would also make an excellent classroom reading and discussion book, as it might help others to understand the feelings of their peers with disabilities. Great job, Jonathan Friesen! I can't wait for your next book.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Mora author's new book garners rave reviews - Kanabec County Times
Great "Local Man Makes Good" Story
Mora author's new book garners rave reviews - Kanabec County Times
Mora author's new book garners rave reviews - Kanabec County Times
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
SUMMER/FALL 2010 APPEARANCE SCHEDULE
Get your copy of "Rush" signed by the author. Jonathan Friesen will be signing books and/or speaking at the following venues this summer and fall. Drop by and say hello!
http://www.jonathanfriesen.com/
August 12, 2010
Minnesota Reading Association, Annual Conference
Break-Out Presentation
Come by my booth and say hello!
August 28, 2010
Borders Book Store
Maple Grove, Minnesota
2:00 p.m. Book Signing ALL WELCOME
September 13, 2010
MN Christian Writers Guild
Speaker
Christ Presbyterian, Edina, MN 7:00 p.m. ALL WELCOME!
October 6, 2010
Borders Book Store
Book Signing, Meet & Greet
Rosedale, MN 7:00 p.m. ALL WELCOME!
October 9, 2010
Barnes & Noble, Teacher Appreciation Event
Guest Speaker, Educator Reception, Book Signing
Maple Grove, Minnesota 9 a.m. ALL WELCOME!
October 30, 2010
MCWG
Full-Day writer's workshop
Christ Presbyterian, Edina, MN ALL WELCOME!
November 11-12, 2010
Keynote, Crossroads Conference
Grand Junction, Colorado ALL WELCOME!
http://www.jonathanfriesen.com/
July 24, 2010
Scout & Morgan Book Store
Cambridge, Minnesota
11:00 a.m. Book Signing ALL WELCOME
Minnesota Reading Association, Annual Conference
Break-Out Presentation
Come by my booth and say hello!
August 28, 2010
Borders Book Store
Maple Grove, Minnesota
2:00 p.m. Book Signing ALL WELCOME
September 13, 2010
MN Christian Writers Guild
Speaker
Christ Presbyterian, Edina, MN 7:00 p.m. ALL WELCOME!
October 6, 2010
Borders Book Store
Book Signing, Meet & Greet
Rosedale, MN 7:00 p.m. ALL WELCOME!
October 9, 2010
Barnes & Noble, Teacher Appreciation Event
Guest Speaker, Educator Reception, Book Signing
Maple Grove, Minnesota 9 a.m. ALL WELCOME!
October 30, 2010
MCWG
Full-Day writer's workshop
Christ Presbyterian, Edina, MN ALL WELCOME!
November 11-12, 2010
Keynote, Crossroads Conference
Grand Junction, Colorado ALL WELCOME!
Friday, June 11, 2010
A Message from Jonathan
I'm so pleased to announce the release of RUSH, the story of another tortured young man and his quest to connect with the world around him. Through Jake King's life, you'll feel adrenaline differently, see the world differently. I wanted to share his remarkable life first with you.
Through conferences and keynotes, school visits and personal e-mails, I'm discovering how incredibly interesting each individual is. My hope is that somewhere in the pages of this fast-paced, action-filled novel, you will find a piece of yourself. When you do, you'll know you have touched me and become a part of this work. For that I thank you.
Enjoy!
Posted by Gail P. Smith for Jonathan Friesen
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Voya Reviews "RUSH"
From the Barnes & Noble web site for "RUSH".
VOYA
Get ready to have your breath catch in your throat or to be taken away. Award-winning author Jonathan Friesen's new book, Rush, is a captivating story that is told through the eyes of Jake King, an eighteen-year-old boy who will do anything to get his adrenaline going. The up-tempo plot keeps the story interesting, and the stunts keep the reader on the edge of their seats. Although confusing at some points, the book will show you unbelievable adventures, but also teach true lessons about friendship, family, and love. It is a good read for any boys or girls who love action and drama.
Reviewer: Nicole Drago, Teen Reviewer
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Rush/Jonathan-Friesen/e/9780142412589#TABS
VOYA
Get ready to have your breath catch in your throat or to be taken away. Award-winning author Jonathan Friesen's new book, Rush, is a captivating story that is told through the eyes of Jake King, an eighteen-year-old boy who will do anything to get his adrenaline going. The up-tempo plot keeps the story interesting, and the stunts keep the reader on the edge of their seats. Although confusing at some points, the book will show you unbelievable adventures, but also teach true lessons about friendship, family, and love. It is a good read for any boys or girls who love action and drama.
Reviewer: Nicole Drago, Teen Reviewer
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Rush/Jonathan-Friesen/e/9780142412589#TABS
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