Pages:
192
Publisher:
Andersen Press
Release
Date: 31st December 2015
Edition:
UK e-proof,
NetGalley review copy
Other
Titles by this Author: Straw into Gold, Mara’s Stories, First
Boy, The Wednesday Wars, Trouble, Okay For Now, What Came From the Stars
A
heartbreaking story, narrated by twelve-year-old Jack, whose family is caring
for fourteen-year-old Joseph. Joseph is misunderstood. He was incarcerated for
trying to kill a teacher. Or so the rumours say. Btu Jack and his family see
something others in town don’t want to.
What's
more, Joseph has a daughter he's never seen. The two boys go on a journey
through the bitter Maine winter to help Joseph find his baby – no matter the
cost.
When Joseph joins Jack and his
parents, he's suffered more trauma in his 14 years than some do their whole
lives, and no one will let him forget it. There are bullying teachers and
bullying classmates ready to tear him down from facts about his past that have
floated around the town, but none of them have actually tried to get to know
him. The way Joseph was treated made me furious, especially after he told his
story to Jack and his parents – so heartbreaking. But Jack had his back.
I loved how instantaneous Jack’s
protectiveness of Joseph was. Two years younger and smaller and Jack still
bodily launched himself to Joseph he looked like he needed it. There’s a quiet
respect and camaraderie between both the boys and Jack’s parents that made my
heart smile. The simplicity of the hard work on the farm and the connection
with the animals, particularly Rosie the cow, was lovely to read and it made me
long for that king of escape myself. It all came down to Joseph’s desperation
to love and be loved in return and how he projected that onto the baby daughter
he’d never even met. Oh, my heart.
Orbiting
Jupiter is a
beautiful and sad story about friendship, love and family, and at under two
hundred pages, it packs a powerful emotional punch.
Thanks to NetGalley and Andersen
Press for the review copy.
Sophie
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