From the Bookshelf of Mock Newbery 2026…

Jupiter Rising

Gary D. Schmidt

Start date: November 1, 2024

Finish date: November 30, 2024

Discussion: Newbery 2025

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Newbery 2025

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* Final Round - 2025 Mock Newbery Award
By Kristen · 26 posts · 145 views

last updated Jan 20, 2025 07:44AM

Round 1 - 2025 Mock Newbery Award
By Kristen · 24 posts · 113 views

last updated Jan 12, 2025 10:17AM

What Members Thought

Sep 07, 2024 DaNae rated it it was amazing

Shelves: family-stories, z24-favorite, z24-new, realistic-fiction, death-grief, ya, adoption

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

16 likes · Like · see review

Mar 06, 2024 Dan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: middle-grade, newbery-contenders, ya

I wasn't sure what to think about the continuation of what I felt like was a perfect story in Gary D. Schmidt's Orbiting Jupiter.

That said, Gary D. Schmidt delivers yet again here with Jupiter Rising: I laughed, I cried a lot, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Jack develop both as a runner and a young adult through all of these difficult circumstances.

It's been six months since I read Jupiter Rising and it's still with me. That's always a good sign in my book, and I imagine I will be recommendin ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Nov 04, 2024 Tamsyn rated it really liked it

Shelves: children-s, mock-newbery, realisticfiction, fms

Gary D. Schmidt always connects with my heart. His sympathetic and loveable characters are ones I always root for and this story of a family in the process of adopting 3-year-old Jupiter is no different. And the rewards of being a long-time fan of his books are rewarded by recognizing Wednesday Wars trilogy characters brought into adulthood.

1 like · Like · see review

Sep 24, 2024 Dest rated it it was amazing

Shelves: sad, death, adoption, tween, middle-grade, siblings

Excellent sequel to Orbiting Jupiter. As is Gary Schmidt's MO, there's a lot of heartache in this book. Almost too much! (view spoiler) ...more

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Dec 08, 2024 Whitney rated it it was amazing

A perfect follow up for Orbiting Jupiter. Jack and his family are working to adopt a specific child (don't want to give away any spoilers!) and they run into issues with the child's grandparents. Looking out for one another, building friendships, and supporting each other are all the themes from this book.

Loved it! ...more

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Sep 24, 2024 Karlan rated it it was amazing

Shelves: ya

The author writes so beautifully that I ignore various problems. For a slim novel, a lot happens. This is a sequel, but it was easily read on its own. The pain and joy of running training are well portrayed. The issues of adoption are resolved happily.

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Apr 22, 2025 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-grades, ois

An eighth grader, Jack is a foster child who is now legally adopted. He lived with a foster brother (Joseph) who recently died. Also living with Jack is a toddler named Jupiter, who was Joseph’s daughter. The family wants to adopt her as well, but the grandparents are claiming custody. After losing Joseph, and his horse, and now maybe losing his baby sister, Jupiter, will Jack be able to keep things together? And will his nemesis on the track team (Jake) ever give him a break?

Short and engaging ...more

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