Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In many ways this book reminded me of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The narrator, the tone … It just put me in mind of the other book. That’s a pretty good thing.

Our narrator here is Jack, a sixth grader whose parents decide to foster Joseph, a troubled 14-year-old boy who’s spent time in juvenile detention after fathering a child with a rich girl the same age as himself. Joseph, of course, is not the thug most people think he is. What he is, is desperate to see his baby daughter, Jupiter.

Jack and Joseph grow close as brothers. Joseph’s father causes problems. Joseph’s age and history cause problems. The ending isn’t happy.

It’s a good story, and short. I enjoyed it a lot and recommend it.

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