Orbiting Jupiter

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Hurd family had a new member coming. His name was Joseph and social services thought that they would be a good family for Joseph to spend some time with. Joseph was 13, but not like your everyday 13-year old. Joseph was a father to a daughter named Jupiter. When Joseph arrived he was quiet and protective. He backed up to walls and didn’t say much. Jack, the Hurd’s son, was a couple years younger than Joseph. He was curious about Joseph and throughout Joseph’s stay, they became friends and Jack always ‘had his back’. One night by an icy pond that the family had enjoyed ice skating on, in the freezing cold, Joseph opened up to the family and told them his story. For Christmas, they gave him their promise that they would help him find Jupiter. Joseph’s life became difficult when his father entered the picture again looking to get custody of Joseph as well as Jupiter. Through a tragic ending, Joseph gave his daughter the one thing he always wanted for her - a home.

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt was a cry fest! A cry fest for all the right reasons though. It was sadness mixed with sorrow that left me just a mess and thankful no one was around to witness it! This is truly a book I think that everyone should read including adults. Orbiting Jupiter is a short read and rather “light” (using that word carefully) which, I think, may help younger readers with the subject matters that are presented in the book. It is reviewed for grade 6 and up and I think that’s appropriate, but probably not any younger. I highly recommend Orbiting Jupiter and believe that parents should read this book too and open up a dialogue.

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