Orbiting Jupiter

I bought Orbiting Jupiter because it is the book being used for the Global Read Aloud this October (2016). I plan to read it aloud to my grade 7 class and connect with other classes around the world.I just finished reading the book myself. The story deals with some mature issues that most of my students will never have to face. It is a reminder of how we shouldn't pass judgement on others, especially when we don't fully understand the circumstances.I highly recommend it.

It was a very good book. It had such a sad ending

Amazing read!

An only child, 12 year old Jack, is in sixth grade when his family takes in 14 year old Joseph, as a foster child. Joseph has just been released from a stint in a juvenile detention center when he joins the family on their small farm in rural Maine. What they’ve been told is this: Joseph doesn’t like to be touched, not to ever approach him from behind, he was in Stone Mountain for trying to kill a teacher, and he’s a father to a baby girl he’s never been allowed to meet. What they don’t know is the events leading up to all this. Told through Jack’s voice, this novel is sure to captivate both middle school and high school readers with strong themes around abuse, neglect, bullying, and most importantly, the restorative and healing power of love. Spoiler alert, don’t finish this book in public, and have tissue ready!

Gary D Schmidt has done it again! His books are always captivating and emotionally wrenching, but at a level that young people can really get into. Orbiting Jupiter is no exception, though instead of being aimed at middle grade kids, it is definitely for high school age teens. My own kids can't wait to get their hands on it!Life seems to have thrown Joseph Brook under the bus. He's lost his girlfriend, they took away his baby, and he's been jailed. After a long line of tragedies, he has finally ended up living on a farm with a foster family. Joseph doesn't trust anyone anymore, and unfortunately, many at his new school feel the same way about him. But Jack, Joseph's foster brother, sees something in him and won't let Joseph get beaten down or lose hope. Jack has Joseph's back, and he means to help Joseph find his infant daughter, no matter what.I'm not ashamed to admit that I totally cried at the end!