Jupiter Rising by Gary Schmidt

Gary Schmidt brings a sad story (Orbiting Jupiter) to a hopeful conclusion with Jupiter Rising.

Jupiter Rising, by Gary D. Schmidt. HarperCollins, 2024, 201 pages.

Reading Level: Teen, ages 12-15

Recommended for: ages 13-up

It’s been a couple of years, and Joseph Brooks’ foster brother Jack is now at the same age Joseph was when he died. Joseph’s daughter Jupiter is now two years old, a happy, lively, loving little girl—the person her father might have been if he’d received a few breaks in his short life. Jack and his adoptive parents couldn’t love her more. The adoption process is going forward when the worst possible news arrives: Jupiter’s maternal grandparents have decided they want to raise her.

As the next of kin, they have a strong case, and the Hurd’s pro bono lawyer pulls no punches about their odds. The news is devastating, especially to Jack: these people (Mr. and Mrs. Joyce) are strangers to him and to Jupiter. What’s worse, they’re bitter about Joseph and blame him for their own daughter’s death. If they take the little girl, chances are they’ll let Jack see her seldom, if ever. Even worse, he’d given Joseph a solemn promise to watch out for Jupiter—how will that work if she’s taken away?

The prospect overshadows other developments Jack’s life that will yield positive results, although he doesn’t see it yet. A former enemy at school becomes a running partner, and possible friend. His teachers, as well as the vice principal—some of whom he’d previously categorized as “jerks,” show surprising sympathy. None of this matters to Jack when his Mom starts packing Jupiter’s toys and clothes: “Don’t believe anyone who tell you things are going to be all right. Because they aren’t.” But life holds surprises, even in the worst circumstances.

Jupiter Rising can’t be properly appreciated without first reading Orbiting Jupiter, published in 2016. The former is probably Gary Schmidt’s saddest novel (see our discussion), with some profound spiritual dimensions. Schmidt himself has said he wanted to bring Jack’s story to a more hopeful conclusion. As always, his characterization and narrative economy are spot-on; there are always more to the characters than appears as first, and he has a way of saying a lot with spare simplicity.

Bottom Line: A thoughtful, understated story with a hopeful conclusion.

Consideration:

Some mild curse words sprinkled throughout, as well as the vulgar use of “ass.”

Also at Redeemed Reader:

Reviews: Some of our favorite books by Gary Schmidt are Just Like That, Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy, Pay Attention, Carter Jones, and The Labors of Hercules Beale (all starred reviews). For more, type “Gary Schmidt” in the search box.

Reflection: Thoughts about another famous foster child, The Great Gilly Hopkins.

Bonus (NOT at Redeemed Reader): Listen to Betsy’s discussion with Sarah Mackenzie about “Messy” books.

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