When Jake Rollins isn't worrying about his dad going ape-shit, he's busy creating out-of- this-world manga and hanging out with his best mate. Jake and his mum spend their lives dodging Jake's dad's fists, but it's the last year of high school and Jake has the perfect plan to escape home. All he has to do is nab a scholarship to Tokyo where he'll learn how to be a professional manga artist. But before then, Jake has to navigate his final year of high school, and keep himself, his mum and their dog alive. Baba Ami may look like an ordinary Australian Terrier but she's more like Jake's spiritual guide. She's got tons of wisdom, plus she talks, but the only person who can hear her is Jake. She's not the only surprising thing about Jake's life - his anime hero, Takehiko sometimes inexplicably comes to life. He's Jake's role model for friendship, bravery and being true to yourself. And let's face it, Jake needs all the help he can get when he ends up complicating his life by kissing his best friend, Phee and getting in with Clay Perez, the local graffiti artist who is always in trouble with the police. Jake's life takes a turn for the worst when he's arrested after Clay Perez dobs him in. When his dad throws him out of the house, he ends up being a homeless teenager with nowhere to go. Thank goodness for best friends. Life gets even more complicated when Jake's portrait of his dad ends up in the local paper. It will be a miracle if they don't all end up dead like Jake's little sister, Katie. This is a story of survival, resurgence, and what it means to be bigger than where you come from. With themes of friendship, coming-of-age, family abuse, survival, creativity, courage and diversity, Can the Real JR Stand Up, Please? is a warm-hearted hopeful story about being true to yourself and learning to be brave.

About the Author
Nadia L King was born in Dublin, Ireland and now calls Australia home. Nadia believes in the power of stories. She believes that stories can change the world for the better. When she was a little girl, Nadia rode an ostrich. When she was older, she rode a camel. One day she hopes to ride an elephant! The Lost Smile is Nadia's third book. Nadia also writes short stories for adults and is currently a postgraduate student in English and Creative Writing. She lives in Western Australia with her family, two tabby cats, a beautiful black Labrador and a vast (and growing) collection of books.

Reviews
2022 CBCA NOTABLE BOOK: This is a tight, compact and cleverly realistic story. It includes many themes such as family violence, friendship/love, insecurity, creativity and survival. Family violence is described very realistically and demonstrates the frustrating powerlessness of bystanders. The main character is authentic and sympathetic. The writing is economical, dispensing with unnecessary detail thus producing a succinct and easily accessible, albeit confronting story which packs power. Despite the seriousness of the problems explored, the characters ultimately embark on their adult life with a feeling of hope, making this a story of optimism and courage. - CBCA Judges' Critique (Older Readers Category)
This actually made me cry, and thats a good thing! I love the ending so much! -- Ariel, age 15 years
Can the Real JR Stand Up, Please, is a thoughtful and thought provoking exploration of domestic violence. It takes readers into the life of someone who is enduring this sort of home life, showing that even if everything may seem okay on the surface, reality may be very different. Its ultimately hopeful resolution may offer possibilities to readers who connect with its themes. -- Reading Time, CBCA
The novel is lovely, and there is something of the rebel if not in JR, yet in the narrator or the way the story exposes some things not often treated as a theme or central idea. -- Michele Drouart, Editor and Author
Despite being an emotional person and an avid reader, its rare that Im moved to tears by a book. But this book oh my god this book! It had me in tears by the end and I was so emotionally attached to JR and his story. Hes an incredibly sweet and talented kid with a horrible home life, but his bravery - one of the big themes of this novel - is astounding and I cant believe how proud of him I am. At only 150 pages, its not a huge read but it does pack a huge punch and I would have gladly read on for hundreds more pages. The content is very heavy at times but I think its handled very well. -- Bianca Breen, Writer
This book reinforced for me the importance of having positive connections in your life. Luckily, Jake had Phee, a classmate, and her parents, in his corner. They care and believed in Jake, and his artistic talent. They offered him the safe haven he desperately needed. Seeing Jake grow in self-belief over the course of the novel was very satisfying and should give hope to other teenagers who find themselves in similar circumstances. There are heavy themes in the novel but these are handled really well. I'm a huge fan of books with underdogs overcoming life's obstacles and triumphing so 'Can the Real JR Stand Up, Please?' was a real heart-tugging, gratifying read. -- Nola Smith, Author


Awards
Winner of CBCA 2022 Notable Books 2022.



Book Information
ISBN 9781913680176
Author Nadia L. King
Format Paperback
Page Count 160
Imprint Dixi Books (UK) Limited
Publisher Dixi Books (UK) Limited