In Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt, twelve-year-old Jack Hurd's family fosters 14-year-old Joseph Brook, who has a troubled past including attacking a teacher and having a daughter named Jupiter he's never met. As Jack and Joseph's friendship grows, Joseph bravely attempts to reconnect with his daughter, facing numerous challenges and dangers, ultimately impacting everyone around him deeply. Themes of teenage pregnancy, juvenile detention, and grief are present.

Gary D. Schmidt's Orbiting Jupiter is praised for its emotional depth, compelling characters, and sensitive handling of difficult topics like foster care and young parenthood. Critics highlight the poignant narrative and strong character development. However, some reviewers found the plot predictable and wished for more complexity in secondary characters.

A potential reader for Gary D. Schmidt’s Orbiting Jupiter is a young adult who enjoys poignant, character-driven stories about resilience and friendship. Fans of Sharon Draper’s Out of My Mind or John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars will appreciate the emotional depth and realistic portrayal of teenage struggles.

Melancholic / Emotional / Heartwarming / Challenging / Inspirational

Gary D. Schmidt

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Orbiting Jupiter Summary and Study Guide

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Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapter 1 Orbiting Jupiter Chapter 1

Chapter 2 Orbiting Jupiter Chapter 2

Chapter 3 Orbiting Jupiter Chapter 3

Chapter 4 Orbiting Jupiter Chapter 4

Chapter 5 Orbiting Jupiter Chapter 5

Chapter 6 Orbiting Jupiter Chapter 6

Chapter 7 Orbiting Jupiter Chapter 7

Chapters 8-9	

Orbiting Jupiter Chapters 8-9	

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Orbiting Jupiter Character Analysis

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Orbiting Jupiter Symbols & Motifs

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Orbiting Jupiter

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