Jesus Jackson

Jonathan Stiles is a 14-year-old atheist who is coping with his first day of ninth grade at the fervently religious St. Soren’s Academy when his idolized older brother Ryan is found dead at the bottom of a ravine behind the school.

As his world crumbles, Jonathan meets an eccentric stranger who bears an uncanny resemblance to Jesus Christ (except for his white linen leisure suit and sparkling gold chains). Jesus Jackson, as he calls himself, offers to provide faith to Jonathan. He also suggests that Ryan’s death may not have been an accident after all.

Jonathan teams up with Henry, his new best friend at St. Soren’s, to investigate. The two boys find footprints leading to the ravine that match Ryan’s sneakers. They are assisted by Ryan’s grieving girlfriend, Tristan, who also thinks the accident theory is bunk. The police, however, will not listen.

Jonathan battles sanctimonious school psychologists, over-zealous administrators, and a cavalry of Christian classmates on his quest to discover the truth about Ryan’s death — and about God, high school, and the meaning of life, while he’s at it. But he keeps getting distracted by Cassie — Alistair’s younger sister — who holds the keys to the answers Jonathan is searching for, but who also makes him wonder if he should be searching for them at all.

“Smart and sweet, comforting and moving.” — Kirkus Reviews

“For a thought-provoking read … Jonathan and his newly-acquired friend Henry set out to provide the police with proof of a homicide … Jesus Jackson is a wonderful book for teens confused about assuming adult attitudes and beliefs.” — Readers’ Favorite