When Jack's father has to put down their family's horse he says "Let's not lose anything else." Later Jack, protagonist of Gary D. Schmidt's Jupiter Rising, learns the heartbreaking meaning of that cryptic sentence.
Jack was devastated by the death of his foster brother, Joseph. When his parents were able to foster Joseph's toddler daughter, Jupiter, with an eye toward adopting her he felt "Like there was a reason to breathe again, even if it still did hurt." And everything is looking promising for the adoption...
...until Jupiter's maternal grandparents, a couple with deep pockets for legal talent and an expectation of getting their way seek custody. Unfortunately they are blood relatives.
Meanwhile Jack has been given a running partner even though he has no cross country ambitions. Coach thinks he has the talent to make jv and varsity when, not if, he develops it. When he's paired with adversary Jay Perkins neither of them is a happy camper.
But things gradually change, brokered by Jupiter's obvious love for both boys. So when the family has gone to court and are waiting for the judge's decision and Jack sees Jay in the hospital unconscious, the victim of a hit and run...
...How much loss can an eighth grade boy endure and keep on breathing?
Schmidt has an excellent ability to wax eloquent with the most ordinary of words and enable the reader to see the world through his protagonist's eyes. I'm going to reread some of his earlier work, especially the prequel to this book, Orbiting Jupiter.
On a purrrsonal note, I had a spectacular Halloween. I got to wear my dragon costume to school and got so many compliments. The temps got into the 70s which is rare in Maine so close to November. I got to study outside near my still beautiful flowers. The trick or treaters were delighted when I handed out candy in costume.
A great big shout out goes out to all my fellow Halloween celebrants.
Jules Hathaway
Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone
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