Teen Tuesday and Audiobook Review: Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt. Unabridged audiobook, ~ 3 hours. Read by Zachary Roe. Clarion Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, December, 2021. Review of audiobook borrowed from public library.

Teen Tuesday features Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt. I first read this with my eyes back in August of 2016. It was published in fall of 2015. I was still giving stars to my GR posts and gave five with the comment: Okay, officially gutted. I swear, there are not many authors who can do what Gary D. Schmidt does in so few words. The economy, beauty, imagery and heart in his writing is astonishing.

After I read Jupiter Rising, I realized that I couldn't really remember the details of Orbiting Jupiter. It was, after all, about 2500 or so books ago, so I decided to reread it with my ears. 

This is the first-person narration by Jackson Hurd. A sixth grader who lives on a dairy farm with his parents, who have agreed to foster Joseph Brooks, a thirteen-year-old who has fathered a child, spent time in a juvenile detention facility and doesn't like to be touched or approached from behind. Jackson and his parents give Joseph the space and time he needs, but also chores, such as milking the cows, which he also needs. Unfortunately, other adults in the community, have prejudged Joseph, starting with the school bus driver, so Joseph and Jackson walk to school in the bitter cold.

As Joseph slowly thaws with the Hurds, they learn his story and are more committed than ever to helping him. All Joseph wants is to see his baby, who is in foster care since her mother, Maddie, has died.

This emotionally intense, character-driven novel packs a punch. Have tissues handy. The narrator was different than the one for Jupiter Rising. He was measured and fine, except he mispronounced the name of a character several times, which annoyed me. 

Orbiting Jupiter was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book, an ALA Notable as well as quite a few state award lists. It has become a TMS favorite over the years and a book I highly recommend. Happy reading.

#tbt: The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart

Image: Scholastic Inc.

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart. 240 p. Scholastic Press/ Scholastic Inc., January, 2015. (Own)

#tbt features The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart. Twelve-year old Mark had plans to climb Mount Rainer with his grandpa. When his grandpa died and Mark learned that the cancer he has been battling since kindergarten has returned, he decides to make that trip with his dog, Beau. He packs some cash, a camera and a notebook and sets out on the 200+ miles to the mountain. The only person who knows about Mark's plans is his best friend, Jessie, whom he has sworn to secrecy.

This first-person narration alternates with half-chapters from Jessie's POV as she struggles to keep Mark's secret. Suspense is high as Mark's quest is not "after-school special," but filled with danger from both humans and the elements. Suspension of belief is required, though middle school readers won't notice. Students who love adventure as well as students who love dog stories will be riveted. 

The Honest Truth was Mr. Gemeinhart's debut novel. At that time, he was still working as a school librarian. He has published six additional novels and has a forthcoming picture book.

#tbt: Deadline by Chris Crutcher

Image: HarperCollins Publishers

Deadline by Chris Crutcher. 316 p.Greenwillow Books/ HarperCollins Publishers, September, 2007. 9780060850890. (Own)

#tbt features Deadline by Chris Crutcher. In the thirteen-plus years since publication, I still need to catch myself from turning this book upside down! This might be my favorite Crutcher novel  and, you will need a box of tissues for this one. 

Ben Wolf is about to enter his senior year of high school. He's a gifted cross-country runner and, during his routine high school athletic physical, his doctor discovers that Ben has a terminal blood disease. Since Ben is eighteen, and legally, an adult, he forbids his doctor from sharing this news with his parents, as the family situation is fragile. He also refuses treatment, instead opting to live out his time fulfilling wishes and dreams - these include trying out for the football team, getting on his racist social studies teacher's last nerve and getting to know Dallas, his crush.

This is a provocative read for mature teen readers.