Orbiting Jupiter

At a farm in rural Maine, twelve-year-old Jack Hurd and his parents welcome fourteen-year-old Joseph Brook as a foster child. Joseph arrives with a complex past, including time spent in a juvenile facility and a three-month-old daughter he has never met. As Joseph adjusts to life with the Hurds, he faces challenges both at home and at school where his status as a teenage father makes him a target. Jack becomes Joseph's steadfast ally, walking with him to school through the winter and standing by him as he navigates his new environment. The story unfolds through Jack's eyes as he watches Joseph confront his past, deal with his present circumstances, and pursue his hopes of connecting with his infant daughter. The relationship between the two boys develops against the backdrop of a harsh Maine winter and the daily routines of farm life. Through themes of redemption, family bonds, and the power of acceptance, Orbiting Jupiter explores how trust and understanding can emerge in unexpected circumstances.

Readers connect emotionally with this book's themes of family, loss, and redemption. Many finish it in one sitting due to the spare writing style and compelling narrative. Likes: - Raw portrayal of complex topics for young readers - Authentic teenage male voices and perspectives - Impact achieved in a short page count - Strong foster family dynamics - Clear, straightforward prose Dislikes: - Too brief/rushed ending - Some find it too sad for middle grade readers - Want more character development - Questions about age-appropriateness of themes Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (30,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (1,000+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 Reader quotes: "Heartbreaking but hopeful" - Goodreads reviewer "Should have been longer to fully explore the relationships" - Amazon reviewer "The simplicity makes it more powerful" - School Library Journal review

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🌟 Author Gary D. Schmidt was inspired to write this novel after learning about teenage fathers through his work with incarcerated youth 🌟 The book's Maine setting draws from Schmidt's own experiences living in New England and his deep connection to rural farm life 🌟 "Orbiting Jupiter" was named a 2016 Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor title and received multiple starred reviews from major literary publications 🌟 The novel explores the real issue of juvenile detention centers in America, where approximately 48,000 youth are confined on any given day 🌟 The milk cows featured in the story, notably the Holstein breed, produce nearly 90% of all dairy milk in the United States, reflecting the authentic portrayal of Maine farm life