Orbiting Jupiter

Gr 7 Up—Fourteen-year-old Joseph comes to the Hurd family after being incarcerated for almost killing a teacher. He was raised by his violent father, and the simple farm life of his new foster family is in stark contrast to the unstable life he has always known. While his new home should be a welcome break from the chaos, Joseph is restless, his thoughts consumed by the infant daughter he has never met. Jack, Joseph's younger foster brother, shows enormous compassion and patience, counting Joseph's "almost" smiles as small signs of hope that he is beginning to heal and possibly even trust Jack. One might expect Jack to have feelings of resentment at having such a troubled young man disrupt his ideal family life, but instead Jack is supportive from the very beginning. The issues and emotions surrounding Joseph's struggles are difficult and complex, especially for one still in middle school, yet handled with such simplicity and grace that listeners will be left convinced that everyone deserves a second chance. Christopher Gebauer skillfully narrates a story in which the characters' few words are packed with meaning and emotion.