{"product_id":"the-free-state-of-jax-9781546166085","title":"The Free State of Jax","description":"\u003cb\u003eFrom #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author Jennifer A. Nielsen, this charmingly quirky coming-of-age story about a boy fighting for his freedom and a place to call home is brimming with mystery and adventure.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJaxon 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhich 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eJax is now the president and sole citizen of his own micronation, the Free State of Jax.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eInvestigating 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eJennifer A. Nielsen is the acclaimed author of the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eUSA Today\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling Ascendance Series: \u003ci\u003eThe False Prince\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Runaway King\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Shadow Throne\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Captive Kingdom, \u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Shattered Castle\u003c\/i\u003e. She also wrote the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestseller \u003ci\u003eThe Traitor's Game\u003c\/i\u003e and its sequels; the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling Mark of the Thief trilogy; \u003ci\u003eThe Scourge\u003c\/i\u003e; and the critically acclaimed historical thrillers \u003ci\u003eA Night Divided\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eResistance\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWords on Fire\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eRescue\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eLines of Courage\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eIceberg\u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003e, \u003c\/i\u003e\u003ci\u003eUprising\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eOne Wrong Step\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eThe Free State of Jax\u003c\/i\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Scholastic Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51661510541586,"sku":"9781546166085","price":13.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_276639fa-d312-47ec-b094-3b2f455018b8.jpg?v=1760446833","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-free-state-of-jax-9781546166085","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}