Jerk, California by Jonathan Friesen first catches your attention with its name, and then never lets go until the last page of the book. It tells the story of Sam Carrier, a teen who struggles with Tourette’s Syndrome and his unstable home life. His stepfather, Old Bill, constantly shames Sam because of his disease and convinces him that his real father was a no-good drunk.

After his disastrous high school graduation, he meets George, an old friend of Sam’s father, who gives him much-needed support and advice. George sends Sam on a cross-country road trip of self-discovery with his friend and his crush, Naomi, tagging along unexpectedly. Along the way, he stays in the houses of his dad’s old friends, and pieces together the truth about his identity, his father, and the love of his life.

The story is a fast, compelling read. Friesen himself has Tourette’s Syndrome, evident in the sympathetic yet brutally honest way he talks about Sam’s disease and his interaction with others. The writing is clear and fast-paced, although Sam’s abundant inner dialogue may make it hard to differentiate between what Sam thinks, tells himself, and says to others. Sam’s growth as a character is marked throughout the book, as he uncovers secrets and learns to face his disease. This is a thoroughly enjoyable read.