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 baking pies, and the farmer’s son, Frank, agrees to provide the peaches if Scarlett will help him talk to Juli. The problem is, Scarlett really enjoys her time with Frank, and finds herself wondering if, someday, they could be more than friends. Just as she thinks everything might be going her way, Cliff suffers an accident that not only affects the rocket plans, but shakes Scarlett’s view of God. As the summer comes to an end, Scarlett must find a way to regain what she’s lost, but also fulfill a promise to launch her brother’s dream.Chasing Jupiter is fantastic. I had a hard time putting it down. Author Rachel Coker is way too young to be turning out fiction of this caliber! The setting is beautiful, I felt like I’d stepped back in time to rural Georgia in the 60’s setting. My only complaint is that the writing is so beautiful it’s almost heart-wrenching. I don’t usually do very well with heart-wrenching, but the thread of hope that runs throughout this story made it worthwhile.
*For more from the fabulous (and homeschooled btw, Whoot!) Rachel Coker see this Q&A about the book and her thoughts on a Chasing Jupiter movie!
Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker by clicking on the links above, and click here for more information about Team Novel Teen.
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ADDLibrarian 
It was heart-wrenching, huh? I cried, and I didn’t like the ending. Though I understand that life is that way sometimes and it’s important to tell those stories. Still. Great review! 🙂
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Thanks! Although I didn’t cry, (probably due to a bit to much foreshadowing, *spoiler alert* I totally saw the accident coming *end spoiler*) it was definitely heart-wrenching! The ending felt real to me which is what readers that love these type of books expect I think.
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Yeah, I saw it coming too. It was in the back cover blurb, and the railing wobbled a few too many times for me to miss it. *wink* I cry about anything, though. I mean, hint that something is going to happen and I’ll cry.
The ending was really realistic. It was a good book.
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I agree — it was a good book — can’t believe the author is only 17! In some ways, I’d like to see a follow-up/sequel book or a book about her sister . . . good review, BTW!
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The book is definitely heart-wrenching and the problems that they had with their grandfather reminded me of my grandfather and how hard it was to help him with his mood swings.
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I agree. Rachel Coker is just as good a writer as others who are quite older than you (not to say other writers are old). Great review.
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I missed the railing wobbling. 🙂 So true about that thread of hope!
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