Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
Orbiting Jupiter
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
The two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt delivers the shattering story of Joseph, a father at thirteen, who has never seen his daughter, Jupiter. After spending time in a juvenile facility, hes placed with a foster family on a farm in rural Maine. Here Joseph, damaged and withdrawn, meets twelve-year-old Jack, who narrates the account of the troubled, passionate teen who wants to find his baby at any cost. In this riveting novel, two boys discover the true meaning of family and the sacrifices it requires.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
RobES
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

Both these books were 5 🌟 they were very different, but both made me cry. I now get the obsession with the Throne of Glass series!!! Lorcan and Elide ❤️

quote
beenbee
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt

“ “How much of that bible story is true?”

“I think it all has to be true, or none of it.”

“The angels? Really?”

“Why not?”

“Because bad things happen. If there were angels, then bad things wouldn‘t happen.”

“Maybe angels aren‘t always meant to stop bad things.”

“So what good are they?”

“To be with us when bad things happen.”

“Then where the hell were they?”

I thought Reverend Ballou was going to start bawling.”

review
beenbee
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

I finished this book in one night, it was so amazing. It‘s a heart wrenching tale of grief and loss with a plot and ending that can only be described as tragic. The powerful narrative truly tells a story of both successful and failed second chances that had me absolutely bawling.

Johanna414 I love this book sooooooo much! It really popular with my students too 2y
beenbee @Johanna414 It‘s so well written! 2y
1 like2 comments
review
TheLudicReader
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

Took a little break from Empire of the Vampire to read Orbiting Jupiter. Narrated by 12-year-old Jack, this is the moving story of Joseph, a boy a couple years older, who is fostered by Jack‘s parents. Joseph‘s life has been anything but easy, but he settles into life on Jack‘s family‘s farm, and begins to open up to his new ‘family‘. Lovely, but heartbreaking. I guess it‘s MG, although thematically it probably more YA.

review
Professional_Book_Dragon
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

The highlight of my bookish year…meeting Gary Schmidt at his house for cheesecake and tea to talk about his book! An amazing man!

review
jmtrivera
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

This was a moving book, and the first in a long time to really draw me in and make me not want to put it down. A great, if sad, story.

13 likes1 stack add
blurb
TheLudicReader
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

#bookhaul for no reason other than #books. #sorrynotsorry

LeahBergen 👌 2y
TheAromaofBooks Tweet Cute was a little ridiculous but I really enjoyed it. 2y
peanutnine Felix Ever After 😍😍😍 2y
41 likes3 comments
review
ItsAnotherJen
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

Ugh. So good.
Told from the point of view of 12 yr old Jack. Who has a new 14 yr old foster brother Joseph. Joseph is a father. He became a father at 13. What we discover about him is- he loved Maddie. His biological father is a terrible human. Joseph has gone through hell, and we watch as he tries to cope with his reality. This is a quiet, beautiful, and tragic story. It's a quick read that will leave you shook.

mandarchy I love his other books, this one looks interesting. 3y
ItsAnotherJen @mandarchy What else would you recommend from him? This was excellent. I'd like to try another one by him. 3y
mandarchy @ItsAnotherJen the Wednesday Wars and Okay for Now 3y
73 likes1 stack add3 comments
review
Kjoyner
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
Pickpick

Orbiting Jupiter is one of the best books I‘ve ever read! It‘s YA, and I teach high school. My daughter read it & loved it & wanted me to read it, but I was reluctant bc I was burned out on YA at the time. But she was persistent, so I read it. It ended up being so good that we emailed the author Gary Schmidt to tell him how much we loved it! It‘s a must-read!

review
Lydpot
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Mehso-so

A devastating but understated ending that left me scrabbling for something uplifting. Loved the bond between the two boys but found it a bit unemotional at the end, which was surprising as a result of the content.

blurb
SassyPants617
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

Just started, and I am already drawn to it. I think I can finish tonight. We shall see...

review
Nebklvr
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

A 13 year old boy in foster care is trying to get to his daughter. This is no sentimental schlop but the real, heart rending story of a love that won‘t quit. Broken.

review
MaggieCarr
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

Joseph's backstory is shared in bits and pieces as he slowly builds bonds with his foster family. A story that didn't need to have explicit words or descriptive sexual scenes to get the point across to the reader. This book is relevant to middle schoolers through adults, who would benefit from learning how to react in a way that mirrors second chances rather than pigeonholing students based on the past.

review
IndianBookworm
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

I had this book in my TBR for long and this in a link of must reads. The book is a bit different, not the usual kind and I don't think everybody would like it. But I found the book really sweet and recommend this go everyone. Don't want to spoil it by describing it, guys, go for it.
4.3/5🌟
PS- The book is very short.

blurb
Emilyhargrove
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt

For such a short read (I devoured it in a day) this book hit me hard! Oh the judgements we make sometimes have irreparable consequences.

review
MaggieCarr
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

"I got his back."
Have you ever loved someone you have never met?

DebbieGrillo I loved this one! 6y
14 likes1 comment
blurb
Catmomsara
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

About halfway through this Virginia Reader. So good and so sad! Worth the read. #virginiareaders

2 likes1 stack add
review
WonderWhitman
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
Pickpick

I had low expectations for this book because I wasn't a fan of The Wednesday Wars. Orbiting Jupiter however, was really beautiful. Schmidt juxtaposed a simple life on a farm in Maine with the realities of child abuse, teen pregnancy, and the foster care system. He didn't shy away from the complications of the system, and I respect him all the more for it. I think I might use this as a class read for my middle schoolers.

review
ANovelLove
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Panpan

Would have been a great short story or full novel. But this was too short and wasn't given the attention that could have made it great. Not particularly invigorating writing, a predictable plot, a genuinely unbelievable driving force for the main characters and a cheap ending. I don't understand what the fuss is all about.

4 likes1 comment
review
Peddler410
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

This was a one sitting read. A wonderful one at that. Told from Jack‘s (12) point of view, Joseph‘s (14) situation is handled well for a middle school audience. Heart wrenching and #huggable.

#RebeccaCaudill2018

blurb
Peddler410
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

Finally starting this! Thanks again, @DiruVamp for gifting this to me! 🙂

Eggs Great book 👍🏻 6y
DiruVamp You are so welcome! I hope you enjoy it! 6y
26 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
janehreads
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
Mehso-so

3/5. I would have liked it better if I were younger, but it was a really good story.

blurb
janehreads
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

quite excited for my first christmas read by #garydschmidt 👍👍 #orbitingjupiter #youngadult

janehreads it turns out its middle grade. just a heads up. 6y
janehreads which means i‘m reading it super fast- i‘m halfway done! 6y
6 likes2 comments
blurb
Karkar
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt

Orbit books is having a great giveaway! Free to enter. Check it out. http://swee.ps/EHNgDFPOG

blurb
April2
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

Cosy pyjamas & a new book... Exactly what weekends were made for ☺️

9 likes1 stack add
review
RoxanneMilward
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Panpan

⭐️
The only good thing about this book was that it was very quick and easy read; but other than that I was very disappointed. I felt that the ending of the story was very rushed and thought the story was very unrealistic and couldn't connect with any of the characters.

review
PheonixBooks341
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

This book is beautifully heart-wrenching and joyful at the same time. When you first read the synopsis, it's sounds really sad, but trust me, it's awesome. It is about a boy's foster brother's quest to find his baby girl, Jupiter.

review
Eggs
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

One of my favorite authors

12 likes2 stack adds
quote
nhslibrarylady
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

"You know how teachers are. If they get you to take out a book they love too, they're yours for life."

review
Johanna414
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Mehso-so

Why? This had a lot of promise but the end was just so abrupt and needlessly depressing...

20 likes1 stack add
quote
MrsMarks88
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

The best thing about school holidays is having a chance to catch up on reading! Getting stuck into another UKLA book award nominee now....

1 stack add
quote
Teenta
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

Truth.

review
Teenta
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

Quite the little tear-jerker. Gary D. Schmidt is very underrated in my opinion.

Teenta This is my first book read from the 2018 Sequoyah lists. A good start! #sequoyahnominee 7y
8 likes1 stack add1 comment
review
AmberB1
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

A very short, very tragic read. Wow! This story is going to stick with me for awhile. An 8th grade boy, with a 3 month old daughter is placed in foster care after attempting to kill a teacher. Well-written.

Jaellner One of my students is reading this for her thematic unit! She has been updating me about her "wow" moments and tears. 7y
2 likes1 comment
review
monalyisha
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

When I first dug into this book about a boy who becomes a 13-year old father, I was thinking, "There's no way this is appropriate for a middle school audience!" But it is. And it's beautiful.

The setting, a remote farm in Maine, feels so real: comforting, peaceful, cathartic. This book wowed me. Don't read it without a box of tissues - but once you've got one handy, please read it! It's so good!

15 likes1 stack add
quote
monalyisha
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

"The night was cold and dark when we got to new First Congregational, and the stars were thick as cream."

9 likes1 stack add
review
Missusb
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Mehso-so

I added author name coz cropping cropped it. I whipped through this heart wrencher, and once again, I finish a book thinking, what is served by these characters dying? It feels manipulative and more about making a point that serving the story.

But it's beautiful writing, and Jack, the narrator's innocence and courage is admirable, and our other main character Joseph is a lesson in tragic injustice.

But really? I am sick at writing those words.

review
Yourfriendlylibrarian
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

This book will give you all the feels. It's heart wrenching in a good way. It's a laugh and cry out loud kind of novel. I read it for the middle school library but will add to the high school collection. Lower level writing with higher level messaging. #teenparent #loss #fosterchildren

quote
BilboBookends
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

"You can tell all you need to know about someone from the way cows are around him."

review
Amandaameral
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

This was a very intriguing book that puts you in the place of the characters and makes you feel and understand what they are going through. Although the ending was emotional, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a good read

review
Skeeterisme
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
Pickpick

It's so good. Gary Schmidt should be in everyone's TBR pile.

review
RoysReads
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

This book was a tear-jerker! An amazing story of hardship, family bonds, and the unrelenting power of love.

quote
Sarahreadstoomuch
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
7 likes1 stack add
review
Veganspacecat
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
Pickpick

A YA novel with a bittersweet story about teen parenthood. A teen father, who was deeply in love with the teen mother, embarks on a journey to locate the child that he was not given the right to have as a teen dad. Heartfelt.

quote
alineibling
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

"You know how teachers are. If they get you to take out a book they love too, they're yours for life." #truth

blurb
alineibling
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image

There is something special about Gary D. Schmidt's writing. He can make a cow wiggling her rump at milking time one of the sweetest things ever and make my heart ache so easily by how he makes me root for his characters. His "The Wednesday Wars" and "Okay for Now" are just as well-written, but I don't remember crying while reading THOSE books...

blurb
alineibling
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt

There is something special about Gary D. Schmidt's writing. He can make a cow wiggling her rump at milking time one of the sweetest things ever and make my heart ache so easily by how he makes me root for his characters. His "The Wednesday Wars" and "Okay for Now" are just as well-written, but I don't remember crying while reading THOSE books...

review
HBMSReads
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
post image
Pickpick

Loved it!

2 likes2 stack adds
review
Lindseyroath
Orbiting Jupiter | Gary D. Schmidt
Pickpick

What a heart wrenching tale of love and redemption. This was such a quick read and such an important story about race and second chances.