Orbiting Jupiter: An Insightful Look at Gary D. Schmidt’s Powerful Tale of Growing Up
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt is a heartbreakingly beautiful story of Joseph, a young boy with a tragic past, and his journey of redemption and understanding. The story follows him as he moves in with his foster family and experiences the joys and struggles of life as a teenage boy. Through Joseph’s eyes, we gain a powerful insight into the struggles of adolescence, love, friendship, loss and hope. This heart-wrenching, yet ultimately uplifting story reminds us that it is never too late for second chances.
The writing style is both simple and vivid; Schmidt captures the details of everyday life without ever losing sight of the bigger picture. Throughout the novel, Schmidt explores themes such as family, loyalty, guilt, forgiveness and hope. Despite its emotional intensity, Orbiting Jupiter is an incredibly accessible novel which will appeal to readers of all ages.