HomeLifestylesBook ReviewSummer Book Review 6-17-2009
Summer Book Review 6-17-2009
June 17, 2009 Staff Report Book Review, Lifestyles, School 0
"Jerk, California"
"Jerk, California" by Jonathan Friesen is about high school senior Sam Carrier, who lives with his mother and his stepfather. Sam struggles with his stepfather, who criticizes him about his Tourette's Syndrome, and struggles to see his true identity, Jack Keegan.Sam Carrier is a talented runner, but his abusing stepfather, Old Bill, does not see him as anything but a waste of space.
Old Bill has completely taken over the family, making his mom, Lydia Carrier, scared to voice her own mind to stick up for her child.
Sam meets his deceased father's old friend, Geroge, who tells him the truth about his past as Jack Keegan, before Old Bill changed his name, and that everything Old Bill has told him about his father, James, has been a lie. George sends Sam on a journey to "Jerk, California" to learn more about his father.
"Jerk, California" was very heart-warming to read. I really enjoyed the book and would give it a rating of 10.
It was interesting to see the disease from another perspective, and the storyline was great.
Chloe' Crosby is a graduating senior in the gifted and talented programs at Hahnville High.
She enjoys participating in the dance team, talented drama, and the symphonic band. Chloe' will attend Nicholls State University in the fall and major in elementary education.
Editor's note: Book reviews are published weekly in agreement with Hahnville High School gifted English teacher Deborah Unger in conjunction with the Brown Foundation Service Learning Program.
St. Charles Parish Public Schools
Local artists displaying works in the parish