GUEST WRITER THOMAS BROW RECOMMENDS JUPITER RISING BY GARY D. SCHMIDT
“Don’t believe anyone who tells you things aren’t going to be alright.”
Jupiter Rising, written by Gary D. Schmidt is a beautifully crafted narrative that explores the complexities of adolescence, family, and self-discovery, and is the sequel to the much beloved Orbiting Jupiter. Jack is still very much grieving the loss of his foster brother Joseph and learning how to be a big brother to Joseph’s daughter. Set in a small New England town, the story follows Jack as he navigates the challenges of growing up in a world that often unpredictable and unfair.
The protagonist’s journey is marked by moments of joy and heartache, making it easy for readers to empathize with his struggles. In my opinion, the book’s strength is its rich character development. Each supporting character is well-rounded and serves a purpose in the protagonist’s growth, from friends like Jay to family members like Jupiter. Their interactions are genuine and relatable, reflecting the complexities of human relationships.
Themes of resilience and hope resonate throughout the story, reminding readers that even in difficult times, there is potential for growth and transformation. Schmidt adds humor and warmth into the narrative, making it a heartfelt read that appeals to both young readers and adults.
I personally really enjoyed reading this one. I loved the powerful story of two unlikely friends coming together and the main character, Jack, not giving up and losing hope despite all of the adversity that he faced. Many children in in the school now wake up every day and experience adversity and will identify with Jack and learn that, sometimes, things work out like they’re supposed to.
This review was written by Tom Brow. Tom is currently a teacher candidate in the Bachelor of Education program at the University of New Brunswick. Tom recently completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in history at St. Francis Xavier University where he was a student-athlete. Tom is passionate about language arts and loves to read. His favourite book is Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albon. In his spare time, Tom hits the weights and coaches’ youth football.