The Free State of Jax - by Jennifer A Nielsen (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Jaxon Averett has had some terrifically bad luck. Because only the worst luck in the world can account for the fact that he has to live with his Uncle Clive Grimmitz, Aunt Helga, and their six kids in dead-end Walkonby, Kansas. Life with Jax's cousins isn't easy -- they're all bullies, and his aunt and uncle can't even remember his name.

Which is why, on the night before his twelfth birthday, Jax sneaks over to the neighboring property, floats a raft out into the middle of the hot springs lake, and drops anchor.

Jax is now the president and sole citizen of his own micronation, the Free State of Jax.

With the help of new friends, a local lawyer, and the property owner Owen O'Keefe, Jax's micronation begins to flourish. But the Grimmitzes will do anything to get him back and they are not above sabotage. On top of that, Jax is quickly embroiled in the mystery of Owen's missing brother -- and a lost windfall of the town's money.

Investigating puts everything Jax has built at risk, and when long-buried family secrets are unearthed, he must find the courage to do what's right, even if it means losing his only chance at freedom.

New York Times bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen weaves an extraordinary mystery and a moving and hilariously zany story about family, forgiveness, and the courage it takes to do what's right, no matter the cost.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Free State of Jax:

"[A] funny, fast-paced coming-of-age adventure mystery... The Free State of Jax should be a great read for any kid who enjoys Gordon Korman or Stuart Gibbs." -- Shelf Awareness

"Nielsen...rewards [readers] with some provocative ideas, a flurry of gleefully rousing hijinks, and a winningly smart, sensitive protagonist. An...exceptionally feel-good story." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Uprising:

* "A riveting, seamless combination of fact and historical fiction." -- School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for Magnitude:

"A thrilling adventure." -- Publishers Weekly

"Fast-paced..." -- Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Iceberg:

"Page-turning historical drama." -- Kirkus Reviews

"An engrossing portrait of an infamous maiden journey." -- Publishers Weekly

"Nielsen's use of both real and fictional characters makes the story feel authentic and wildly suspenseful as she takes the reader on the final journey of the 'unsinkable ship.'" -- School Library Connection

Praise for Lines of Courage:

"A powerful, absorbing story that shines a light on an often overlooked chapter in human history." -- Alan Gratz, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Refugee

Praise for Words of Fire:

* "Gripping... Audra's story deserves a palce on the shelf next to Lois Lowry's Number the Stars and Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief." -- Booklist, starred review

"[This] adventure about a little-known palce and time... delivers action and suspense." -- Kirkus Reviews

"There is much on offer in this novel: family love, patriotism, magic, and the importance of books... Highly recommended." -- School Library Connection

Praise for Resistance:

A Sydney Taylor Notable Book

"The edge-of-your-seat climax places readers amidst the gritty, horrifying street battles of the Warsaw Ghetto and pays tribute to those who sacrificed themselves so others would live... Historical fiction at its finest, this informs, enlightens, and engages young readers." -- School Library Journal

"Highlight[s] moments of resistance via cinematic action sequences." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Suspense mounts continually as Chaya survives her ordeals, gaining strength and faith in her mission. The courage and self-sacrifice of many characters is inspiring." -- Publishers Weekly

"Fast-paced and suspenseful." -- School Library Connection

Praise for A Night Divided:

ILA-CBC Children's Choices List selection

"Absorbing and deeply suspenseful, with plenty of ticking-clock tension... an eye-opening glimpse of history." -- Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"A marvelously crafted historical novel about courage, perseverance and the will to survive, A Night Divided excels in every regard." -- Reading Eagle

"Distinct supporting characters... demonstrate the harrowing choices people made to survive, encouraging readers to consider what they would have done if fate and history had cast them into the story... The novel's strong setting and tense climax will keep readers engrossed and holding their breath until the last page." -- School Library Journal

"History buffs will drool over the magnificently told tale, but even reluctant readers will become immersed in the tension-filled exploits." -- Voice of Youth Advocates

"Like Anne Frank before her, Gerta is small but mighty, a hardheaded heroine who dreams up big ideas and refuses to give up in the face of adversity and danger." -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for the Ascendance Trilogy:

A New York Times Notable Children's Book

A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year

A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best" Children's Book

A Cybils Award Winner

* "An impressive, promising story." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

"[A] pageturner." -- New York Times Book Review

"Sage proves to be a compelling character whose sharp mind and shrewd self-possession will make readers eager to follow him into a sequel." -- The Wall Street Journal

"A swashbuckling origin story..." -- Los Angeles Times

"A fast-paced and thrilling read with twists and turns that never let up." -- School Library Journal

"Gripping." -- Kirkus Reviews

"Should appeal to fans of... Suzanne Collins... [A] surefire mix of adventure, mystery, and suspense." -- The Horn Book

About the Author

Jennifer A. Nielsen is the acclaimed author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Ascendance Series: The False Prince, The Runaway King, The Shadow Throne, The Captive Kingdom, and The Shattered Castle. She also wrote the New York Times bestseller The Traitor's Game and its sequels; the New York Times bestselling Mark of the Thief trilogy; The Free State of Jax; The Scourge; and the critically acclaimed historical thrillers A Night Divided, Resistance, Words on Fire, Rescue, Lines of Courage, Iceberg, Uprising, One Wrong Step, and Magnitude. Jennifer collects old books, loves good theater, and thinks that a quiet afternoon in the mountains makes for a nearly perfect moment. She lives in northern Utah with her family, and is probably sneaking in a bite of dark chocolate right now. You can visit her online at jennielsen.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @nielsenwriter.