Orbiting Jupiter

A parent might reach for this book when their teenager is beginning to navigate complex questions about unconditional loyalty, social stigma, or the meaning of chosen family. It is a profound choice for families touched by the foster system or for those looking to foster empathy for peers who carry heavy, unseen burdens. The story follows Jack, a young boy whose family takes in Joseph, a fourteen year old father recently released from a juvenile detention center. Through Joseph's journey to find his daughter, Jupiter, the novel explores deep themes of sacrifice, the redemptive power of trust, and the quiet strength found in rural farm life. While the emotional weight is significant, it serves as a powerful mirror for the resilience of the human spirit. Parents will find it a moving tool for discussing the realities of the foster system and the importance of standing up for those the world has cast aside.