Joseph took a pill that made him crazy. He nearly killed a teacher then all his nightmares came true when he was sentenced to Stone Mountain. He was fourteen years old when he was released, knowing that he was father to a baby girl. For all this dark content, Orbiting Jupiter sings of love, fear, hope and pure soul.
Joseph is released to a foster family whose only son is Jack. Despite knowing all about Joseph's past, the family can't wait to welcome Joseph into their home. From that very first moment, I could feel Joseph's healing begin.
Gary D. Schmidt invites us to inhale the warmth and joy of the milking shed, to smile at the deep bond forming between Jack and Joseph and to have everything clenched in the hope that the worst imaginable won't happen.
What is the worst imaginable? Would Joseph be better off with his biological dad? Could anyone be so heartless as to imprison Joseph for wanting to see his daughter?
There are so many parallels in this story that I needed time to absorb it all when the last page was turned.
I can guarantee Orbiting Jupiter will stay with you long after it settles on a shelf.
No wonder Gary D. Schmidt is a multi-award winning author.
I can't wait to devour more of his heart-rending yet deeply satisfying tales.
Title: Orbiting Jupiter
Author: Gary D. Schmidt
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, $19.99
Publication Date: 2 May, 2017
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780544938397
For ages: 12 years +
Type: Young Adult Fiction