Schmidt, Gary. Orbiting Jupiter. New York: Clarion Books, 2015.

Beautiful and heartbreaking, this book. When I finally got to start it, I couldn’t put it down. The story of Joseph and Jack, their friendship cannot be summarized easily. Joseph comes to live with Jack and his family as a foster child. At 14, he has seen more of the world than most. He is the victim of an abusive father; he has spent a painful time in juvenile detention. But for an all too brief of time, Joseph knew love. He and Maddie experienced love beyond their years. The result tragic, but for a beautiful baby girl. Joseph’s goal? To be a father to that little girl. This expectation is largely unreal, but the farm and the family where he is staying gives him proof that love his real and that hope is an option. He loves the cows who soften his pain, the parents who are infinitely patient, and the foster brother who has his back.

Much about this story will break the heart. The bullies are painfully real. Some of the adults are needlessly cruel. The system is in many respects broken. While I am a young adult librarian, I would consider this a must read for many adults. The book functions as a call to change - a call to better nurture and protect our kids.

The hope is beautiful. The teachers who work together to help him realize his potential are beautifully rendered. As a teacher, I love meeting them. A compassionate librarian. The smile count...the ice skating...the walking to school...the bond between brothers. These are real boys

Gary Schmidt does not make it easy. He challenges my kids-always-to think. I love to introduce him to them, and I can’t wait to talk Orbiting Jupiter. So many students are drawn to kids who struggle, in both fiction and nonfiction. Dave Pelzer books circulate like crazy and often disappear. I know this title will resonate with these kids. I can talk about this new book in this light. Schmidt’s own Okay For Now made me both laugh and cry, and I can certainly just place this new title with his other work. I just love smart authors who write smart books for smart kids.