T-Vidiot

About the Book

Jake Furberg lives with his mom and dad in a two bedroom house on the east end of Seaside. He is very happy even though he never plays outside or does anything in his spare time but eat and watch television. School is a bore, so he spends his class time dreaming about last night's television shows.

Events beyond Jake's control force him out of his comfortable and happy lifestyle: he learns he can't move ahead in school unless he passes the school's new tests in math and reading; his mom and dad replace the hamburgers and french fries with healthy food and take up exercise. His dad breaks the television when Jake ignores his dad's pleas to get off the couch and join in outdoor activities. His life becomes miserable until the broken television takes on magical qualities that add adventure and purpose to Jake's life. Jake makes friends with Ryan, a classmate. Together they take on a series of adventures in and out of school, aided by Jake's magical television.

About the Author

Born and raised in Northern California, Dale Strawn graduated from Humboldt State University, where he found time to play both soccer and rugby while working to pay his tuition and school expenses.

Today, Dale lives in the foothills of the Sierras - Valley Springs, California - with his wife, Becki. When he isn't entertaining his children - Madison, Marissa, Kali, Brandon and Andria (Andi) - with crazy stories about televisions that look into the future and little girls who keep pet ants, he teaches high school history in the Lodi Unified School District, runs an after-school chess club, coaches varsity soccer, and dreams up wild scenarios to entertain his family.