Orbiting Jupiter facts for kids
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| Author | Gary D. Schmidt |
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| Cover artist | Carmen Spitznagel/Trevillion Images (photographer); Sharismar Rodriguez (design) |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young Adult Fiction |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin Harcourt |
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Publication date
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October 6, 2015 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | 978-0-544-46222-9 |
| OCLC | 948287511 |
| LC Class | PZ7.S3527 Or 2015 |
Orbiting Jupiter is an exciting novel written by Gary D. Schmidt in 2015. He also wrote other popular books like Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy and Okay for Now. This story takes place in a quiet, country area called Eastham, Maine. It happens during the fall and winter of a recent school year.
About the Story
The book is told by Jackson (Jack) Hurd, who is 12 years old. His family decides to become foster parents to Joseph Brook. Joseph is 14 years old and has been through some tough times. He spent time at a special center for young people called Stone Mountain.
Joseph is a young father. He made the very difficult choice to have his baby daughter, Jupiter, adopted by another family. After this sad decision, Joseph faced some big challenges. He got into trouble and was sent to the Stone Mountain center.
When Joseph comes to live with the Hurd family, a social worker named Mrs. Stroud explains some important rules. The story then follows Joseph as he tries to find his way in a new home. He also hopes to find his daughter, Jupiter.
Meet the Characters
This book has many interesting characters, both young people and adults. They all play a part in Joseph's journey.
- Main Young Characters
- Joseph Brook – He is 14 years old. Joseph is a young father who spent time at Stone Mountain. The Hurd family becomes his foster family.
- Jackson (Jack) Hurd – He is 12 years old and tells the story.
- Madeline Joyce – She was 13 when she met Joseph. Madeline is Jupiter's mother. Her parents are lawyers, so she often spent time alone.
- Jupiter Joyce – She is the baby daughter of Joseph and Madeline.
- Adults in the Story
- Mr. Brook – Joseph's father.
- Mr. and Mrs. Hurd – Jackson's parents. They are kind foster parents who help many children.
- Mrs. Stroud – She is a social worker who helps Joseph.
- Hurd Farm Animals
- Dahlia – A cow on the Hurd farm.
- Quintus Sertorius – A horse on the farm.
- Rosie – Joseph's favorite cow.
- Eastham Middle School Adults
- Mr. Canton – The Vice-principal at the school.
- Mr. Collum – Teaches 8th Grade Science.
- Mr. D'Ulney – Teaches 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade Math (pre-Algebra).
- Mrs. Halloway – Teaches 6th Grade Language Arts.
- Mr. Haskell – The school bus driver.
- Mr. Oates – Teaches 6th Grade Social Studies.
- Coach Swieteck – The Physical Education teacher. He lost his legs a long time ago. He might be related to a character from another book by Gary D. Schmidt!
- Eastham Middle School Students
- Brian Boss – An 8th Grade student who sometimes acts like a bully.
- Ernie Hupfer – A 6th-grade student who rides Mr. Haskell's bus.
- Danny Nations – A 6th-grade student who rides Mr. Haskell's bus.
- Jay Perkins – An 8th Grade student who sometimes acts like a bully.
- Nick Porter – An 8th Grade student who sometimes acts like a bully.
- John Wall – A 6th-grade student who rides Mr. Haskell's bus.
