42 pages • 1 hour read
Gary D. SchmidtOrbiting Jupiter
Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
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.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
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.
Who Should Read Orbiting Jupiter?
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.
RecommendedReading Age
12-17yearsLexile Level
740LBook Details
Realistic Fiction
Children's Literature
Modern Classic Fiction
Relationships: Family
Trauma / Abuse / Violence