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TL;DR: Twelve-year-old Jack Hurd lives on a Maine farm and is chosen to help foster Joseph, a 14-year-old boy who has been in a juvenile facility and is a father to a baby daughter. Jack comes to love Joseph, and the story shows how a community can help someone who has been hurt.
Table of Contents
Orbiting Jupiter at a Glance
| Author | Gary D. Schmidt |
| First published | 2015 |
| Type | Middle-grade and young adult realistic fiction |
| Best for | readers ages 12 and up who want a short, emotional story |
Orbiting Jupiter is a novel by Gary D. Schmidt, first published in 2015. The book is very short. It was a National Book Award longlisted title. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, a few ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it most. The part-by-part section gives away the plot, including the ending, so skip it if you have not read the book yet.
Content note: Contains abuse, a death and a teen father.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
A new boy
Joseph arrives at Jack's family farm.
His past
Joseph's history is revealed.
Friendship
Jack and Joseph grow close.
School
Joseph faces judgment.
A search
Joseph wants to see his daughter, Jupiter.
The ending
The story ends in tragedy.
The Summary at a Glance
| Part | In one line |
|---|---|
| A new boy | Joseph arrives at Jack's family farm. |
| His past | Joseph's history is revealed. |
| Friendship | Jack and Joseph grow close. |
| School | Joseph faces judgment. |
| A search | Joseph wants to see his daughter, Jupiter. |
| The ending | The story ends in tragedy. |
5 Key Takeaways
- Compassion can change a life.
- Past trauma can weigh heavily.
- Families can include foster children.
- Fathers matter.
- Love can be fragile.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- The writing is spare.
- The story is sad.
- The ending is shocking.
Who Should Read Orbiting Jupiter?
Read it with ages 12 and up. Be ready for emotion.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Orbiting Jupiter:
- Which character did you understand best, and what did the author do to make you feel that way?
- Which scene would you change, and what would that do to the ending?
- What does the book say about its main theme that you agree or disagree with?
Quick Facts to Remember
- Book: Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt (2015)
- Type: Middle-grade and young adult realistic fiction
- Best for: readers ages 12 and up who want a short, emotional story
- Main idea in one line: Compassion can change a life.
Reading Time and Format
Novels differ a lot in length and pace, so check the page count of your edition before you start. If you prefer to listen, many public libraries lend audiobooks through free apps, and a narrated edition can suit a long novel well. Whichever format you choose, a library copy is a low-cost way to try the book before you buy, and used or digital editions are often cheaper than new print copies.
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Orbiting Jupiter is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full argument, examples and style, which no short summary can carry.
A simple way to get the most from it: first read the TL;DR and the takeaways to decide if the book fits your interests, then read the part-by-part section for the structure, and finally write down one idea you want to remember or one question you want answered by the full text.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Orbiting Jupiter, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary from your copy.
Should You Read the Book?
If you plan to read it, set aside a few evenings and read the opening chapters before you decide. A summary tells you what happens, but the voice and pacing are what make a novel work or not. If you are still unsure, read a free sample or the first chapter, because the opening pages usually show whether the voice and subject suit you. Reviews from readers with tastes like yours can help too, but your own reaction to a few pages is the best test.
Check price of Orbiting Jupiter on Amazon
What to Read Next
- Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt: another Schmidt novel
- The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt: a boy in the 1960s
- Wonder by R. J. Palacio: a boy with a facial difference
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Orbiting Jupiter sad?
Yes.
What age is it for?
Roughly 12 and up.
Who wrote it?
Gary D. Schmidt.
Is Orbiting Jupiter worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers ages 12 and up who want a short, emotional story. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.
Can this summary replace reading Orbiting Jupiter?
No. A summary covers the main events and ideas, but it cannot carry the author's voice, detail or pacing. Use it to decide whether to read the book, to refresh your memory or to prepare for a discussion.
What are the main themes of Orbiting Jupiter?
Orbiting Jupiter returns again and again to a few big ideas. Compassion can change a life. Past trauma can weigh heavily. Families can include foster children. Fathers matter. Love can be fragile. The part-by-part summary above shows where each of these ideas appears in the story.