A review by kenfrommars
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 This will be a spoiler free review of Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt.

When I first heard of this novel, I was looking for books to buy myself for Christmas. I knew I wanted a book that would break my heart. I don't know why I was wanting this kind of experience, but I did. So I was going through Amazon and ended up having zero luck.

So I went to booktok. I searched up sad book recs. There were so many that I considered. So many that went on the cart and left the cart. Eventually I decided on this one.

Boy am I glad that I did.

This story, while not to spoil anything past what is included in the synopsis, is about a boy (I know we've heard that one before), but this boy is named Joseph. He's a middle schooler who has a daughter named Jupiter. He gets placed into foster care and his foster brother, Jackson (insists on Jack, however), there's a bond between them.

and what a beautiful bond it is. There's so much I can say — that I want to say. I want to talk about what happened (and I will in a spoiler review of it), but allow me just this final thought.

You know the old jingle about the Klondike Bar.

What would you dooooo-ooooo for a Klondike Bar?

That's the best way I can compare the journey this story took me on. I was laughing, angrily reacting as I turned each page, smiling and happy crying, then exclaiming in absolute shock and horror of some events that transpired.

This book was exactly what I wanted and was both exactly what I expected and genuinely and delightfully surprised me.

I am but one reader who has likely given this novel a positive review, but this one reader will recommend this book to anyone and everyone he knows. Just perfect.