Orbiting Jupiter Paperback – May 2, 2017

I purchased my own class set so that I could use this book in my classroom. Highly recommend. Hooks even the kids who say that they hate reading. I read some sections out loud to my students and every time there's audible gasps and tears.

A short story that was able to impact life and innoncence, death and evil, tragedy and grace. The characters were impactful and their message and development clear.

I don’t think I’ve ever cried over a character as much as I cried for Joseph. He deserved another chance at everything, he didn’t deserve the life he had to endure at all. I loved this book for much making me feel like there was a hole in my chest after I finished it within a days time. To me, if a story is able to do that it should be qualified as an amazing book written by an amazing writing.

It was almost dawn when we went outside, Joseph and me. The peaks to the west were lit up and spilling some of the light down their sides onto our fields, all harvested and turned and ready for the long winter. You could smell the cold air and the wood smoke…Everywhere in the gray yard, color was filling in – the red barns, the green shutters, the green trim on the house and the yellow trim on the chicken shed, the orange tabby clawing into the fence rail. (pp. 9-10)As the above passage demonstrates, Schmidt’s tale takes place in the country. Place – e.g., the nearby river, pond, farm, and road to school – plays an integral role in Jack and Joseph’s story. More than just the setting, the places of the novel drive the action and characterization of the novel. Living on the farm seems to promise new growth for Joseph as he works to understand his past and hope for his future. Readers are asked to grapple with the idea of the country as restorative as they follow Joseph on a journey of redemption. Jack’s matter-of-fact approach to telling Joseph’s story reminded me of family story-telling sessions around the campfire and made my country heart feel at home in his world. This story of growth and loss is a powerful examination of all that makes us human and how place plays a role in shaping our humanity.

Deep, impactful and wholesome.

My 13 yr old couldn't put this book down. She liked it but said the end was deptessing.

it’s written so well. it’s really simple to read, but the way everything is worded is so beautiful. nothing explicit, but it’s framed in a way that you know what it means. sobbed like baby. read it in class and had to walk out. gut wrenching. when i reread i will definitely cry everytime

Cover is very plain - not as pictured. Very disappointing!