Review Praise for Six String Rocketeer"Heartbreaking one moment, laugh-out-loud funny the next, Jesse Butterworth has written a valuable book for anyone whose parents are going through a divorce. Without preaching, he invites readers into his own story of how he coped with his parents’ breakup--and brings much-needed encouragement along the way." — Lee Strobel, author, The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith “Jesse’s transparency in communicating his story is refreshing, authentic, and powerful. Such bold honesty is missing from many of today’s publications on the subject, but something that was very present in the ministry of our Lord Jesus.”--Gregg Garner, president/CEO, Global Outreach Developments International “Anguish and pain and hope are all here.  Jesse gives voice to the all-too-often silent children of divorce with biting wit and balanced wisdom.”–John Ortberg , teaching pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church“As a child of divorce, Jesse’s song, “Six String Rocketeer,” is on the soundtrack of my life. Now with his book, Jesse has crafted a poignant memoir, introducing readers to the important first step of acknowledging that parental divorce has lasting effects. His gracious approach and discerning insights invite readers to visit his past, and in the process, better understand their own.”–Jen Abbas, author of Generation Ex: Adult Children of Divorce and the Healing of Our Pain.“There is no easy way to weave a story of survival during the two most devastating things that can happen to a person--your parents divorce and junior high. Butterworth pulls it off beautifully. The hope found here is tangible: hope for healing family relationships; hope for love that springs up through the cracks of the blacktop of pain; and hope for a song of victory that will finally be sung, rising higher than an eighth grade choir, louder than the deafening silence of separation, and more glorious than a Six String Rocketeer.”–Mike Howerton, author of Miles to Cross, co-author of The Relevant Church, Illuminate pastor“Jesse Butterworth is a passionate, real, and genuinely kind person. I’ve toured with him in the USA and in Europe and have seen him connect with people. He’s interested in their stories and uses his own to bring understanding and healing. I’ve always loved the song, ‘Six String Rocketeer,’ and after reading the book feel that I better understand his world and the world of those who have traveled a similar journey. Success for Jesse is using his life to touch others. I pray it touches millions.”–Paul Colman, singer and songwriter Read more About the Author Jesse Butterworth is an award-winning singer, producer, worship leader and songwriter. He is the co-founder of the band, Daily Planet, and also maintains a successful solo career. He loves superheroes, The Beatles, and his beat up guitar. But the real loves of his life are his wife, Marisa, and his son Liam. He resides in East Seattle where he is the worship leader at Illuminate. Check out his website at www.JesseButterworth.com. Read more
F**M
A humorous and refreshing read for today's youth
It's estimated that since 1970, more than one million children a year have been directly impacted by divorce. Jesse Butterworth is one of those kids. In SIX STRING ROCKETEER, Butterworth candidly shares what it was like to discover that his parents were separating and eventually ending their marriage.Butterworth's book reads like a high school memoir. It's filled with funny stories of growing up as a Christian with all its ironies and rather bizarre spiritual-meets-secular moments. He describes being part of the "God Squad" in school and the struggles and heartache of being a slightly overweight kid with the name Butterworth. (And in case you're wondering, yes, he has already heard all the jokes.) His personal stories are delivered in a humorous, deprecating manner that is both engaging and relatable.He writes, "We were often referred to as the "God Squad" because we were all church kids. But it wasn't our deep love for the unlovely, our hours donated to charity, or our total abandonment to Jesus that set us apart. It was that we didn't cuss. We avoided every forbidden four-letter word by substituting words like frigging and schista and using phrases such as 'What the crap!' Also, if we ever said something negative about a person, we began by saying, 'Bless her heart,' and then followed it up with something like, 'but Janet is truly the most repulsive girl in the whole school.'"Barely crossing 100 pages, the actual allusions to the breakup of his family are late in coming. In many ways, this isn't really a book about divorce --- it's a book about growing up as a Christian kid in a secular world and having your world rocked by an all-too-common reality. The actual moment where Butterworth finds out the gruesome news that his parents are separating doesn't hit until page 57. That's when readers discover his response of shock and grief. For the last half of the book, we learn of his emotional shutdown and recovery. We also learn how the tender gift of his father --- an old guitar --- provided a much-needed path for healing. Throughout, Butterworth acknowledges God and communicates vulnerably without being preachy.Within the chapters, the author adds little pieces of trivia and humor. The book is packed with sidebars and inserts. There's a reference to a babysitter who wouldn't let the kids watch "The Smurfs" and a respelling of a "Pines" neighborhood sign to something far more amusing.There's also a lots of random trivia, like the "Special Secret Mario Message" that reads: "Defeat Koopaling at the end of an Airshop (Worlds 1-7) while wearing either the Frog, Tanooki, or Hammer Brothers suit and receive a special message from the King." While only Super Mario fans will truly appreciate this, it adds color to the text and is a welcome addition for short attention span readers.Throughout the book, Butterworth does a masterful job of keeping off-color humor and references to a G-rating. He hints and alludes without crossing any lines.Overall, SIX STRING ROCKETEER is a refreshing read for today's youth. Recommended to anyone whose parents have been through a separation or divorce. --- Reviewed by Margaret Feinberg ([...]
W**E
Quick, read - engaging, inspiring and downright side-splitting...
OK, maybe it's not that funny, but Jesse's humor certainly makes the painful story of a teenager's life in the midst of divorce much easier to read. I could hardly put the book down, and as soon as I did my teenage daughter picked it up and read it in two days! From the perspective of an adult who went through divorce at a young age, this book will help young people understand the complexities of divorce and help them cope.Whether you are a teen going through the upheaval of divorce in your own life, or you have friends whose parents are divorcing, this book is a must read. Since we all have been touched by the effects of divorce, that should put this book on the best sellers list in no time! Read it for yourself and find out how passion in the midst of pain can transform a young mans broken heart into a whole heart overflowing with joy. BTW, Happy Late October Birthday, Jesse!
G**2
Very insightful
Having known the Butterworth family many years ago, I found Jesse's insights and sense of humor very much like his father's. After reading it, I passed it along to my daughter-in-law (an adult child of divorce) and to a high school senior in our Christian school whose parents recently separated. Both found it to be very helpful with their individual struggles concerning their broken families. Great job, Jesse!
D**Y
Six String Rocketeer is fantastic
I loved it, this is a great book not only for youth but for parents to understand the dynamics of their children. I my suggestion don't hesitate. Snap this book up, it is a fantastic resource.
J**N
Inspiring!
Being from a Christian family and having my parents divorce when I was an adult, no one understood the impact that it had on me. Reading Jesse's book opened my eyes to the fact that I wasn't alone and that my feelings were normal! THANK YOU JESSE!
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