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:

"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

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/

"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

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.

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