Jerk, California by Jonathan Friesen

Sam Carter has been bullied throughout his high school days because of his tics and outbursts that come from his Tourette’s Syndrome.  Unable to control his movements, except for very short periods, Sam is shunned by his stepfather, Bill.  Bill has told Sam many stories about his neglectful real father who womanized and drank and gave Sam his disorder through his faulty genes.  Now Sam is about to graduate from high school.  He has no prospects, no college dreams, nothing to look forward to.  It all starts to change when he agrees to work for George the Coot who used to be best friends with his real father.  As Sam learns the truth about his father, he discovers the truth about himself too.

There is much to appreciate in this novel about identity, fathers, nature and nurture.  Friesen has created a protagonist who is a wonderful combination of damaged and heroic.  Sam is abused by life but unbroken.  He himself cannot see beyond his disorder, but others can show him the way.  He rises above over and over again, but doesn’t quite realize that he has done it.  Sam is a wonderful metaphor for life.

The Tourette’s Syndrome is not played up to TV talk show proportions.  It is an important and pivotal feature of the story and of Sam, but it is written honestly and plainly.  I also appreciated the thread of religion that runs through the book, becoming part of Sam’s journey as well.  It too is not overly done, just a subtle part of the quest Sam is on.

Highly recommended, this book well deserves the ALA Schneider Award which consistently awards books that are very special and worth finding.  A complex tale of self and family, this book will be enjoyed by teen readers who want deep reading without the darkness.  Appropriate for ages 14-17.