A review by heathercottledillon
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

5.0

This is one of the best middle grade books I've read in a long time, maybe ever. It covers some extremely heavy topics without ever getting preachy. In fewer than 200 pages, Gary Schmidt makes me care more about his characters than those of books three times longer, and he does it subtly, with small actions and little moments. Once in a while, his terminology seems a little off (do many modern sixth graders refer to their parents as "mother" and "father"? Maybe, what do I know) but somehow it all still feels so real. Consider yourself warned: you will ugly-cry.