Friday, March 25, 2011

There's always a Martin. Only one Martin.







Martin Boyle already has plenty to worry about. His germaphobic mother keeps him home from school if she hears so much as a sneeze, and his father is always off somewhere reenacting old war battles. Julia, the most beautiful girl in school, won't even speak to Martin, and the gym teacher is officially out to get him. Which is why Martin really doesn't need this curse hanging over his head.

On a trip to the family cemetery, Martin wanders among the tombstones of his ancestors and discovers a disturbing pattern: when one Martin is born, the previous Martin dies. And---just his luck---Martin's aunt is about to give birth to a baby boy, who will, according to tradition, be named Martin. Martin must find a way to break the curse, but every clue seems to lead to a dead end. And time is running out.

Watch the trailer:

Friday, January 21, 2011

"Jerk, California" Joins The Battle of the Books!

High school students from across the state of Iowa are going to war—a war of words that is. They are preparing to participate in the Iowa High School Battle of the Books.

Here's how it works: First the students form teams of 4-6 people currently in grades 9-12. A school may have more than one team. They are coached by an adult (librarian, teacher, or parent). Then comes the fun part—they get to read some really great books.

This year one of the books on the reading list which includes the entire state of Iowa, is Jerk, California by Jonathan Friesen. Jerk, California was included by virtue of being chosen as the winner of the 2008 American Library Association Schneider Family Award. According to the ALA website “The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.”

We are thrilled that “Jerk, California” was chosen and also that so many young people will have the opportunity to read this awesome book.

Well done, Jonathan.
Hope “Jerk” kicks some book booty!

To learn more about the Iowa High School Battle of the Books visit: http://ihsbob.iowapages.org/index.html

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Hear Jonathan Speak--His Winter/Spring Schedule

 Check to see if your school or communtiy is included.

Jan 24, 2011
Anoka Correctional
Anoka, Minnesota
Staff Event

Jan 26, 2011
Anoka Correctional
Speaker
Student Event

Feb 3, 2011
Kimball High School
Kimball, MN
School Visit

Feb 8, 2011
Springfield High School
Spingfield, IL
School Visit

Feb 9, 2011
Downers Grove High
Chicago, IL
School Visit

Feb 10, 2011
Peoria High Schools and Public Library
Peoria, IL
Author visit, Book Signing, Meet & Greet

Feb 24, 2011
St. Michael School
St. Michael, MN
School Visit

Feb 26, 2011
ARC Midstate--KEYNOTE
Sauk Center, HS
All Day

March 2, 2011
Speaker-Rivier College
New Hampshire
Day Long

March 16, 2011
Concordia College, MN
Convocation
11:45 am

March 24-25, 2011
E/BD Conference KEYNOTE
Greensburg, IN
All Day

March 31, 2011
Pacer Event
All Welcome!

April 7, 2011
Windom/Luther/High School Event
Full-Day
Windom Area, MN

April 11, 2011
Bethel University
Campus Visit/Evening event
St. Paul, MN

April 14, 2011
Isle Public Library
Isle, MN
Evening Author Visit

April 15-16, 2011
Speaker-MACHE
Duluth, MN
VISITORS WELCOME!

April 21, 2011
Rockford High School
Rockford, MN
Author Visit

May 6, 2011
St. Thomas (Minneapolis)
KEYNOTE
Author Visit

May 11-12, 2011
Craig High School
Janesville High School
Author visits
Wisconsin

July 29-30, 2011
Miracle Lodge
Minnesota