"When the World Around You Falls Apart,
Dreams are all You Have."
Storyline - It is the 1960s, man has launched into space and walked on the moon and Scarlett is having trouble fitting in with her strange brother, Cliff, and awkward grandfather which causes people to stair and whisper. A loner at school and stressed from her parents fights and her sister lies, Scarlett does what she can to take care of the house and her brother. But when he brother requests her help in building a rocket to Jupiter, she can't disappoint him. Making her specialty, peach pies, and with the help of the perch farmer's son, Frank, Scarlett and Cliff sell the pies to earn money for their rocket. As the summer progresses, Scarlett's family is falling more and more apart. And then a tragedy shakes her world. Seeing no hope, Scarlett will have to make the decide if she will trust the God she has ignored and find peace.
Author - Rachel Coker
Publisher - Zondervan
Age Group - 15 and up
Content - *May Contain Spoilers* Scarlett's sister goes out all night with a hippie boy friend and is clear that she is not making good decisions but the book doesn't go into detail on what she is doing. Scarlett is taught about God and His love and faithfulness. Scarlett tries to do the best by her family and on occasion stumbles.
Personal Opinion - Chasing Jupiter is one of the most moving books I have ever read. I might not be completely fond of the ending but it speaks on a level of trusting in God's love and His purpose, even when you can't see it. It also speaks on loving others, not judging someone just because they are different, and helping your family. I think a lot of people can identify with the broken family aspect even if the novel is placed in the 1960s. There were several points where this book had me bawling but it ends with hope and trusting in God. Even though I felt that the novel could have gone deeper with some of the side characters by spending more time with them and the ending isn't my favorite, I will be looking into more books by this author who is incredibly talented in story telling and character creation.
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Links - Rachel's Website
Talking about Chasing Jupiter
Disclaimer - In exchange for an honest review, I received this book for free from the publisher/author through Team Novel Teen.
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Great review, Rachel! I liked this book a lot too. It's the mark of a talented author who can make you cry, and I cried!
ReplyDeleteBut I agree with you. I felt like she could have done more with some of the side characters. Some of that felt a little unfinished.
I liked your review! I was expecting the book to end a little differently too, but I'm also a fan of unexpected endings, so I liked how Rachel wrapped it up in a "happy" but realistic fashion. I'm definitely going to keep checking out her books as well. :-)
ReplyDeleteGood review . . . it was sad how her parents couldn't hold it together or recognize how Scarlett was the one holding everything together & the effect it had on her.
ReplyDeleteI liked your review and there are definitely moments that a tissue is needed. I could definitely relate to both Scarlett and Cliff when their grandfather needed to be put into a home.
ReplyDeleteHad you bawling too, huh? :) Love stories that touch me like that!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! It was such a beautiful story :)
ReplyDelete