Orbiting Jupiter

Schmidt,G. (2015).  Orbiting jupiter.  New York:  Clarion Books.

Jack and his family have a foster boy living with them named Joseph.  Joseph is a troubled boy who is in eighth grade and has a baby girl named Jupiter.  Joseph was in love with Jupiter's mother and wants to find Jupiter.  Jack and his family provide Joseph with a dependable family life including milking cows.  Joseph finds trouble for Jack including getting kicked off the bus, falling through ice, and getting into a fight.  Readers will keep rooting for Joseph and when one is most hopeful  the unthinkable happens.

The setting of a farm in Maine is important because foster child Joseph needs a structured place and family to take care of him.  Joseph needs the routine of milking cows every morning and every night. He needs hard work and to have fun like cutting down a Christmas tree.  He needs a brother like Jack to have his back.

The plot is very original and grabs the reader right away with the idea that Joseph is in eighth grade and has a baby named Jupiter and he tried to kill his teacher.  The events leading to finding Jupiter and having Joseph stay with the foster family are very hopeful. The bond that forms between Joseph and Jack is strong.  The ending takes the reader by surprise. 

Book Trailer/conversation with author
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