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Chasing Jupiter
by
Scarlett Blaine's life in 1960s Georgia isn't always easy, especially given her parents' financial struggles and the fights surrounding her sister Juli's hippie lifestyle. Then there's her brother, Cliff. While Scarlett loves him more than anything, there's no denying his unique behavior leaves Cliff misunderstood and left out. So when he wishes for a rocket to Jupiter, Sc
...more
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Hardcover, 224 pages
Published
December 26th 2012
by Zondervan
(first published December 25th 2012)
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I am waffling back and forth between "THIS IS THE WORST BOOK EVER", and throwing the book across the room, AND "THIS WAS SO BEAUTIFUL" and hugging the book.
Oh well.
Soooo . . . This book was really good, but fell just short of the hype I had been hearing on it.
The characters were so good. I feel like Scarlet, the MC, fell a bit shy in the emotional climax and resolution area. She was really really good, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting this uber-emotional, super wonderful climax in her in ...more
Oh well.
Soooo . . . This book was really good, but fell just short of the hype I had been hearing on it.
The characters were so good. I feel like Scarlet, the MC, fell a bit shy in the emotional climax and resolution area. She was really really good, don't get me wrong, but I was expecting this uber-emotional, super wonderful climax in her in ...more
🌟5 stars🌟
Ughh, my heart...this book you guys, this book <3 I loved it so much more than I was expecting to...it became an instant new favorite! I liked the characters, especially Scarlett because I felt like I could relate to her, at least in some ways...feeling like she was different than others, and not knowing exactly what God's plan for her life was at that moment...I don't know, I just felt like I could connect with the story and characters a lot. I didn't think I would end up crying in thi ...more
Ughh, my heart...this book you guys, this book <3 I loved it so much more than I was expecting to...it became an instant new favorite! I liked the characters, especially Scarlett because I felt like I could relate to her, at least in some ways...feeling like she was different than others, and not knowing exactly what God's plan for her life was at that moment...I don't know, I just felt like I could connect with the story and characters a lot. I didn't think I would end up crying in thi ...more
I don't like his-fic.
I don't like stories focusing on "the dysfunctional family".
I don't like girls pining for boys.
I don't like hippies.
I don't like stories in the 1960s.
I don't like ignorance about mental health issues.
And yet this story was beautiful and heartbreaking and I loved it. I literally CRIED at the end, people. I never, ever, ever, EVER cry when I'm reading, but this book made me cry.
It was so painful. Because ignorance hurts. And families that don't work hurt. And everything hu ...more
I don't like stories focusing on "the dysfunctional family".
I don't like girls pining for boys.
I don't like hippies.
I don't like stories in the 1960s.
I don't like ignorance about mental health issues.
And yet this story was beautiful and heartbreaking and I loved it. I literally CRIED at the end, people. I never, ever, ever, EVER cry when I'm reading, but this book made me cry.
It was so painful. Because ignorance hurts. And families that don't work hurt. And everything hu ...more
Re-Read November 2018:
No matter how many times I read this, it feels like I'm reading it for the very first time.
This book never fails to touch a part of my heart that few books can. The poignancy, raw emotion, vivid characters, and the dreamy summer setting are ingrained in me forever.
"Your voice is sweeter than peach pie and stronger than steel nails and softer than summer clouds."
5 stars
/ / /
Oh my stars...I'm speechless right now.
This book was raw, heartbreaking, and beautiful. I loved everyt ...more
No matter how many times I read this, it feels like I'm reading it for the very first time.
This book never fails to touch a part of my heart that few books can. The poignancy, raw emotion, vivid characters, and the dreamy summer setting are ingrained in me forever.
"Your voice is sweeter than peach pie and stronger than steel nails and softer than summer clouds."
5 stars
/ / /
Oh my stars...I'm speechless right now.
This book was raw, heartbreaking, and beautiful. I loved everyt ...more
4 STARS. This book was so good and sad and raw and deep and emotional and asdfghjkl I LOVED IT. But it also broke my heart a little. :') Let me put my thoughts into order…
What I Liked:
The setting. SERIOUSLY ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS BOOK HAHA. I mean, summer of 1969 on a Georgia peach farm?? GIMME. And it did not disappoint. Everything was so warm and sticky and well described I felt like I was there. <3 very aesthetic if I do say so myself.
CLIFFFF. Cliff is the most ...more
What I Liked:
The setting. SERIOUSLY ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY I WANTED TO READ THIS BOOK HAHA. I mean, summer of 1969 on a Georgia peach farm?? GIMME. And it did not disappoint. Everything was so warm and sticky and well described I felt like I was there. <3 very aesthetic if I do say so myself.
CLIFFFF. Cliff is the most ...more
This book was incredible, poignant, and as sweet as a peach. The narrative was intriguing and classy, the time period and setting was AMAZING, and the story flowed wonderfully.
The characters were very lifelike and realistic. I could relate quite a bit with the main character, Scarlet, and her sister's chaos. The pain was portrayed in a real way but the hope shined through. There were a few things I would've liked to have been wrapped up but it didn't take away from the story.
Overall, this book ...more
The characters were very lifelike and realistic. I could relate quite a bit with the main character, Scarlet, and her sister's chaos. The pain was portrayed in a real way but the hope shined through. There were a few things I would've liked to have been wrapped up but it didn't take away from the story.
Overall, this book ...more
I wish I could say more about this book other than that it was just okay. But the characters and the plot never really grabbed my entire interest, and even when the main character had a salvation experience, it wasn't very satisfying; it felt more like she had just come to terms with her circumstances.
Cleanliness
Profanity
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 5 Incidents: drat, darned, darn, Jumpin' Jehoshaphat. Stupid is used throughout the book. It is stated that a man curses.
Religious Profanity ...more
Cleanliness
Profanity
Mild Obscenities & Substitutions - 5 Incidents: drat, darned, darn, Jumpin' Jehoshaphat. Stupid is used throughout the book. It is stated that a man curses.
Religious Profanity ...more
I have to say, I enjoyed Chasing Jupiter... but I was really disappointed with the ending. I guess it was realistic, but I'm definitely an "and they lived happily ever after" type of girl. XD
Chasing Jupiter did capture my attention, for sure! I read it in two or three sittings. It was a sweet story.... but THE ENDING. WHY.
I read books to escape reality, not to have it knock me in the face. 😂 (I'm kidding, y'all.) It was really sad, though. You can't help but love the characters.
Chasing Jupite ...more
Chasing Jupiter did capture my attention, for sure! I read it in two or three sittings. It was a sweet story.... but THE ENDING. WHY.
I read books to escape reality, not to have it knock me in the face. 😂 (I'm kidding, y'all.) It was really sad, though. You can't help but love the characters.
Chasing Jupite ...more
As I promised, here is a review of one of my new favorite novels - Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker! I bought a used copy from Thriftbooks for only $4.00 plus $3.00 shipping - and haha - it was signed by the author! What luck!
I devoured the thing in one day. Yup. Same day it arrived. I can't remember loving a book that much in a long time. It's a 215 pager historical fiction and just go read the synopsis now to get started.
As I promised, here is a review of one of my new favorite novels - Chasing ...more
I devoured the thing in one day. Yup. Same day it arrived. I can't remember loving a book that much in a long time. It's a 215 pager historical fiction and just go read the synopsis now to get started.
As I promised, here is a review of one of my new favorite novels - Chasing ...more
I was kind of wild with excitement when I found this at the library. Because, you see, I've been 'looking' for Chasing Jupiter for a long time. I discovered Rachel Coker's blog sometime last spring, found out she'd written two books as a young teenager, and was instantly intrigued. Being as they were, written by a homeschooler (which isn't a derogatory term but is sometimes used as such ;-P) I didn't expect to find them in any library near me. But then I DID. It must have been my lucky day or s
...more
A solid 4.5 stars!
This book tore me to pieces. It drew me into the story and the characters, appealing to my emotions and all the five senses (except touch, I guess xD). Then it wrapped lotiony fingers around my heart and squeezed until I could hardly breathe.
Historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, but BOY do I love a good hi-fi when I find one. This one was just... wow. O.O
There were too many typos for my liking, but I can let that kind of thing slide. Especially in this case. <3
My favorite ...more
This book tore me to pieces. It drew me into the story and the characters, appealing to my emotions and all the five senses (except touch, I guess xD). Then it wrapped lotiony fingers around my heart and squeezed until I could hardly breathe.
Historical fiction isn't my favorite genre, but BOY do I love a good hi-fi when I find one. This one was just... wow. O.O
There were too many typos for my liking, but I can let that kind of thing slide. Especially in this case. <3
My favorite ...more
3.5 stars
I don't really know what to think about this book. I was really looking forward to it, but it just didn't meet the bar for me. I honestly felt like the whole thing was a little.. dull. Cliff was precious and I loved him, but honestly, I probably wouldn't have finished the book if he wasn't in it. This definitely wasn't a bad book,
it just didn't meet the expectations that I had for it.
With that being said, I normally don't read historical fiction. It's definitely not my favorite genre ...more
I don't really know what to think about this book. I was really looking forward to it, but it just didn't meet the bar for me. I honestly felt like the whole thing was a little.. dull. Cliff was precious and I loved him, but honestly, I probably wouldn't have finished the book if he wasn't in it. This definitely wasn't a bad book,
it just didn't meet the expectations that I had for it.
With that being said, I normally don't read historical fiction. It's definitely not my favorite genre ...more
OMWOMWOMWOMW
WHAT. A. BOOK.
what a book.
wow.
like what.
(review to come)
WHAT. A. BOOK.
what a book.
wow.
like what.
(review to come)
Okay. Wow. I may or may not have struggled to read the last 17% of this book through the tears! Amazing story, amazing message, amazing everything! Seriously, you must read this book. It will change you!
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Sep 15, 2013
Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls)
rated it
really liked it
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About this book:
“Scarlett Blaine's life in 1960s Georgia isn't always easy, especially given her parents' financial struggles and the fights surrounding her sister Juli's hippie lifestyle. Then there's her brother, Cliff. While Scarlett loves him more than anything, there's no denying his unique behavior leaves Cliff misunderstood and left out. So when he wishes for a rocket to Jupiter, Scarlett agrees to make it happen, no matter how crazy the idea might be. Raising the rocket money means baki ...more
“Scarlett Blaine's life in 1960s Georgia isn't always easy, especially given her parents' financial struggles and the fights surrounding her sister Juli's hippie lifestyle. Then there's her brother, Cliff. While Scarlett loves him more than anything, there's no denying his unique behavior leaves Cliff misunderstood and left out. So when he wishes for a rocket to Jupiter, Scarlett agrees to make it happen, no matter how crazy the idea might be. Raising the rocket money means baki ...more
Technically, this book probably deserves closer to three stars, but I'm factoring in disappointed hopes. ;-P
It's a shame, because I felt like this started out really strong and had good potential, but then as it went on it just sort of fell off the rails (for me, at least).
I think one big thing--for me--is that it felt like there was no resolution? (view spoiler) ...more
It's a shame, because I felt like this started out really strong and had good potential, but then as it went on it just sort of fell off the rails (for me, at least).
I think one big thing--for me--is that it felt like there was no resolution? (view spoiler) ...more
I don't know how to even describe how I felt about this book. It was so real, and just to heartbreakingly beautiful. It hurt so bad. The ending was so not what I was expecting. But it was just real and beautiful and heartbreaking. All at the same time. I'll write a full review a little later on. . .when I can adequately describe my feelings. :)
...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I loved Scarlett.
(It was because I was pleased to find the resemblance to Scarlett O'Hara was nonexistent after the name-connection.)
Right away, her spunky inner voice, her awareness of her own awkwardness, and her selfless (but not saintly-perfect) attitude with her family drew me in. She can make fun of herself and laugh without ever visibly cracking a grin, which endeared me as a reader. She could analyze her own actions, especially when it came to her interactions with Frank and others outs ...more
Age Appropriate For: 10 and up for some thematic elements.
Best for Ages: 14 - 20
I loved Coker’s first book so much that I went out and paid full price for her second book when it came out. For those of you who don’t know me, this never happens. I normally wait until the price comes down or until I can get it to review. I just don’t have the money to buy books new and fresh off the press. So, as you can tell, I was very excited about the book.
Since I was in the middle of a project when I got the ...more
Best for Ages: 14 - 20
I loved Coker’s first book so much that I went out and paid full price for her second book when it came out. For those of you who don’t know me, this never happens. I normally wait until the price comes down or until I can get it to review. I just don’t have the money to buy books new and fresh off the press. So, as you can tell, I was very excited about the book.
Since I was in the middle of a project when I got the ...more
My Rating: Four Peach Pies out of Five
What I Loved...
The characters were absolutely wonderful. I think that they could’ve all sat around eating peach pie and this book would be just as good. Grandpop Barley, Cliff, Scarlett, Frank…. All of them were sweet and eccentric in their own way.
The setting was perfect for the story. I just wanted to get lost in 1960s Georgia with Frank, Scarlett, and Cliff. Rachel Coker made the setting very real and very vivid. I could almost imagine that I was in Georg ...more
What I Loved...
The characters were absolutely wonderful. I think that they could’ve all sat around eating peach pie and this book would be just as good. Grandpop Barley, Cliff, Scarlett, Frank…. All of them were sweet and eccentric in their own way.
The setting was perfect for the story. I just wanted to get lost in 1960s Georgia with Frank, Scarlett, and Cliff. Rachel Coker made the setting very real and very vivid. I could almost imagine that I was in Georg ...more
Oh my, this book made my heart ache all over!! It's absolutely amazing though.
The story was incredible and the characters were just as great!! They all had unique things about them that made me smile.
I understood Scarlett quite a lot - she reminded me a little bit of myself at times. I agree that at the age sixteen and seventeen, one just feels slightly stuck, not really sure what to do. I feel like that at eighteen! I love her love for her brother, and well, her whole family! She loves them des ...more
The story was incredible and the characters were just as great!! They all had unique things about them that made me smile.
I understood Scarlett quite a lot - she reminded me a little bit of myself at times. I agree that at the age sixteen and seventeen, one just feels slightly stuck, not really sure what to do. I feel like that at eighteen! I love her love for her brother, and well, her whole family! She loves them des ...more
Bittersweet reads are my weakness. Some readers took awhile to like Scarlett, but I understood her from the very beginning--her hopes, her dreams, and her fears. And every character from this book drew me in more and more as I read.
I don't know what's worse: guessing what is going to happen and preparing yourself for it or hoping it won't happen at all. But that ending was literally so heart-rending for me! Cliff, Frank, Scarlett's grandpa, and even her sister had me thinking of life through the ...more
I don't know what's worse: guessing what is going to happen and preparing yourself for it or hoping it won't happen at all. But that ending was literally so heart-rending for me! Cliff, Frank, Scarlett's grandpa, and even her sister had me thinking of life through the ...more
I laughed. I cried. I swooned. I finished it in one glorious afternoon, and was left with a huge goofy grin on my face for the rest of the day.
This book right here. First of all, it's published by a TEEN AUTHOR. That's right fellow teen writers, there is hope for us! Rachel's words and descriptions are perfect.
Secondly, the characters. There wasn't one in the main cast who was considered socially acceptable. Scarlett talks to herself and is best friends with her ten year old brother. Cliff has ...more
This book right here. First of all, it's published by a TEEN AUTHOR. That's right fellow teen writers, there is hope for us! Rachel's words and descriptions are perfect.
Secondly, the characters. There wasn't one in the main cast who was considered socially acceptable. Scarlett talks to herself and is best friends with her ten year old brother. Cliff has ...more
Wow. This book was very good. :) I got it on a recommendation from a friend (you know who you are... B-) and I was immediately sucked into the story the moment I started reading it. The main character, Scarlett, is very easy to relate to and feel for. The author did a wonderful job creating and sustaining her personality throughout the entire book (which, as an author myself I know is sometimes very difficult to do. :)
One thing I didn't like was that the main character's older sister was disobe ...more
One thing I didn't like was that the main character's older sister was disobe ...more
I thought this would be a 'meh' book, but I ended up liking it a lot more than I thought I would. The writing style is captivating and mature. The characters are colorful, realistic, and captivating. I feel like many young Christian writers don't have a grasp on how to realistically portray dysfunctional families, but this was perfect. I related to Scarlett on more than one level, and her faith journey was realistic. I also appreciate [the ending not being a perfect, fairy-tale ending. Shoutout
...more
This is the PERFECT Sunday afternoon read. So sweet, sad, and has all the lovely feels of summertime...ahhhh. So much love for this sweet little story. The characters are relatable and quirky, and immediately I related to Scarlett and wanted her to succeed. Cliff was sweet and lovable, yet somewhat annoying like younger brothers are usually apt to be. Grandpop was awesome. I love his role in the story. Scarlett is such a precious soul, exactly the type of person I would want as a friend. I highl
...more
The year is 1969, and Scarlet Blaine's family is struggling to hold together. When her brother Cliff wishes for a rocket to Jupiter after watching the first moon landing, Scarlet jumps into the plan wholeheartedly. With the help of Frank, son of the local peach farmer, Scarlet and Cliff bake peach pies to raise money. But as the summer draws to a close, a tragic accident pushes the rocket launch to the back burner and leaves Scarlet wondering what to do when the world falls apart.
Rachel Coker is ...more
Rachel Coker is ...more
Grab the tissue box my friend and prepare yourself for some tears.
This book has it all, friendship, love, family, faith! A coming-of-age story perfect for a summer nights read and a slice of peach pie ;)
It's real-to-life and deals with the struggles of coming into adulthood. As well as overcoming the changes that tragedy and family frictions bring. I can't believe Rachel Cocker was a mere teenager when she wrote this book. I'm utterly impressed. The character's were so wonderfully portrayed. S ...more
This book has it all, friendship, love, family, faith! A coming-of-age story perfect for a summer nights read and a slice of peach pie ;)
It's real-to-life and deals with the struggles of coming into adulthood. As well as overcoming the changes that tragedy and family frictions bring. I can't believe Rachel Cocker was a mere teenager when she wrote this book. I'm utterly impressed. The character's were so wonderfully portrayed. S ...more
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Rachel Coker resides in Virginia with her parents and two sisters. She has a passion for great books, and has been surrounded by them all her life. Her gift for writing became apparent at the age of eleven, at which time her parents signed her up for a year of lessons with a professional writing coach. Rachel also has a deep love for classical music and old black-and-white movies. When she is not
...more
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“The beauty of salvation and Gods grace isn't in him solving all of our problems instantly, like a magic genie. Its beauty comes in the assurance that he has a greater plan for you.”
—
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