Synopses & Reviews
Twitch, Jerk, FreakaSam Carrier has been called them all. Because of his Touretteas syndrome, Sam is in near constant motion with tics and twitches and verbal outbursts. So, of course, high school is nothing but torment. Forget friends; forget even hoping that beautiful, perfect Naomi will look his way. And home isnat much better with his domineering stepfather reminding him that the only person who was more useless than Sam was his dead father, Jack. But then an unexpected turn of events unearths the truth about his father. And suddenly Sam doesnat know who he is, or even where heall go next. What he does know is that the only girl in the world who can make him happy and nervous at the same time is everywhere he turns . . . and head give anything just to be still.
Review
-Compelling.+ -
School Library Journal-Emotionally rewarding and effective.+ -VOYA
-Like any good road story, there are enough corners and bends to keep readers eagerly anticipating what lies ahead at the journey+s end.+ -Booklist
Synopsis
Because of his Tourette's syndrome, Sam Carrier is in near constant motion with tics and twitches and verbal outbursts. After an unexpected turn of events reveals the truth about his dead father, Sam doesn't know who he is or even where he'll go next.
Synopsis
Read Jonathan Friesen's posts on the Penguin Blog. This Schneider Family Book Award winner changed the face of Tourette's Syndrome for modern teens. Wrought with tension, romance, and hope, Jerk, California tells the story of Sam, who sets out on a cross-country quest to learn the truth about his family and his inherited Tourette's Syndrome, along the way finding both love and acceptance.
Video
About the Author
Jerk, California is Jonathan Friesen’s first novel. A fourteen-year public school teacher and writing instructor at the University of Minnesota, Jonathan shares his passion for writing with children of all ages—including three of his own, whom he home schools. He lives in Mora, Minnesota.