Oh my goodness, Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt wrecked me—in the best possible way. I can’t even tell you how much I loved this book. Honestly, it’s already on my list of favorite reads this year. Maybe ever.
As someone who has been a foster mom for over a decade and is also a transracial adoptive parent, this story just cut me to my core. Every single character felt real, raw, and so beautifully human. I kept finding myself pausing to just sit in the moments because they hit so deeply.
The book follows Joseph, a boy who’s been through way too much for someone his age, and Jack, the foster brother who tells the story. Watching their relationship unfold—watching Jack’s quiet loyalty, Joseph’s guarded hope—oh, my heart. Layers of love, redemption, and sacrifice.
This is not an easy story. It’s heartbreaking in a way that leaves a mark. But it’s also full of these breathtakingly tender moments that remind you what grace looks like in real life.
If you haven’t read Orbiting Jupiter yet, please—read it right now. It’s short, but it packs more emotion and truth into its pages than most books twice its size. Poignant. Beautiful. Heart-shattering and hope-filled all at once.
Seriously, just go get it. You’ll thank me later.
(Sequel to follow.)
