Published: 2024
Author: Gary D. Schmidt
Genre: Realistic Fiction / Coming-of-Age
Audience: Grades 6–10
Number of Stars: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Goodreads Link: Jupiter Rising
Content Warnings: Death of a pet, death of a person, foster care themes, and mentions of child abuse.
Publisher’s Summary
When Jack’s P.E. coach pairs him up with Jay Perkins for the cross-country team, neither of them is happy about it. Jack is grieving the loss of Joseph, his foster brother, and adjusting to his role as big brother to Jupiter, Joseph’s orphaned daughter. Dealing with Jay Perkins—who’d once ganged up with his buddies to jump Joseph in the locker room—is the last thing he wants to do. But then Jack realizes that Jay is grieving too—the loss of his cousin Maddie, Jupiter’s mom. As Jack’s relationships with both Jay and Jupiter grow and his running improves, he starts to feel more like himself than he has since Joseph died. He’s finding his stride . . . until Maddie’s parents, who have never shown interest in their granddaughter before, decide to claim Jupiter as their own, blocking Jack’s family from adopting her. And suddenly Jack’s past and present smash together, threatening to dissolve both his newfound confidence and his friendships. This poignant, powerful companion to Orbiting Jupiter is Gary D. Schmidt at his best. He is the author of the Printz Honor and Newbery Honor Book Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy ; Okay for Now , a National Book Award finalist; and The Wednesday Wars , a Newbery Honor Book, among many acclaimed novels for young readers.
Full Review
This book is the companion to Orbiting Jupiter, and while sometimes sequels do not match the original book’s intensity, this is not the case here. Jupiter Rising continues the story of Jack Hurd, his relationship with his deceased brother’s daughter Jupiter, and his running rival Jay Perkins.
Told from Jack’s point of view, we learn about his struggles in coming to terms with Joseph’s death, the challenges he faces as he attempts to join the varsity cross-country team, and the legal tension involved in whether his family might lose custody of Jupiter. Jack is a classic underdog—the kind of fictional figure readers will enthusiastically root for.
The ongoing running theme in this novel made me think of a quote by ultramarathoner Dean Karnazes: “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” This is not only a good metaphor for life, but one which Jack Hurd seems to embody. Gary D. Schmidt’s writing is simple and powerful; it packs a massive emotional punch in a relatively short amount of time. Reluctant readers will be hooked, but keep a box of tissues handy—you’ll be moved from the very first pages.
🏛️ The Legal Path: Adoption vs. Kinship Care
A major conflict in the book involves the “custody battle” for Jupiter. Understanding the hierarchy of placement in the foster care system helps clarify the stakes for Jack’s family.
- Foster-to-Adopt: Jack’s family has been caring for Jupiter with the intent to legally adopt her. In the eyes of the law, foster parents provide “psychological stability.”
- Kinship Claims: When Maddie’s parents (Jupiter’s biological grandparents) suddenly appear, they are asserting “kinship” rights. Courts often prioritize biological relatives if they are deemed fit, which creates the heartbreaking uncertainty Jack faces.
- The Best Interest of the Child: This is the legal standard judges use to decide custody, weighing the child’s bond with their current caregivers against biological ties.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Physical Education & SEL (The “Runner’s High”):
- Activity Idea: Discuss the role of physical activity in processing grief. Why does Jack find clarity while running? Use the Dean Karnazes quote as a journal prompt: When in your life have you had to “crawl” to get through a hard time?
- ELA (Perspective and Voice):
- Activity Idea: Jack is our narrator, but Jay Perkins is also grieving. Write a “lost scene” from Jay’s perspective during one of their long runs. How does his view of Jack change over the miles?
- Social Studies (Family Law and Social Work):
- Activity Idea: Research the basic rights of foster parents in your state. What are the challenges families face when trying to adopt through the foster care system?
- Character Development (The Underdog Archetype):
- Activity Idea: Create a “Character Stride” map. Mark the points in the book where Jack gains confidence (his “stride”) and the points where he is tripped up by the past. How does his relationship with Jupiter act as his “anchor”?
