Orbiting Jupiter

In this Newbery Honor–winning novel, Gary D. Schmidt tells the witty and compelling story of a teenage boy who feels that fate has it in for him.Seventh grader Holling Hoodhood isn't happy. He is sure his new teacher, Mrs. Baker, hates his guts. Throughout the school year, Holling strives to get a handle on the Shakespeare plays Mrs. Baker assigns him to read on his own time, and to figure out the enigmatic Mrs. Baker. At home, Holling's domineering father is obsessed with his business image and disregards his family. As the Vietnam War turns lives upside down, Holling comes to admire and respect both Shakespeare and Mrs. Baker, who have more to offer him than he imagined. And when his family is on the verge of coming apart, he also discovers his loyalty to his sister, and his ability to stand up to his father when it matters most.Each month in Holling's tumultuous seventh-grade year is a chapter in this quietly powerful coming-of-age novel set in suburban Long Island during the late '60s.

From award-winning author Gary D. Schmidt, a warm and witty novel in the tradition of The Wednesday Wars, in which a seventh grader has to figure out how to fulfill a seemingly impossible school assignment—and learns about friendship, community, and himself along the way.Herc Beal knows who he's named after—a mythical hero—but he's no superhero. He's the smallest kid in his class. So when his homeroom teacher at his new middle school gives him the assignment of duplicating the mythical Hercules's amazing feats in real life, he's skeptical. After all, there are no Nemean Lions on Cape Cod—and not a single Hydra in sight.Missing his parents terribly and wishing his older brother wasn't working all the time, Herc figures out how to take his first steps along the road that the great Hercules himself once walked. Soon, new friends, human and animal, are helping him. And though his mythical role model performed his twelve labors by himself, Herc begins to see that he may not have to go it alone.What happens when the twelve labors of a god become homework for a regular kid?- A Modern Take on Greek Mythology: The assignment is to perform all twelve labors, from capturing the Nemean Lion to facing Cerberus—all on contemporary Cape Cod.- A Story About Brothers: Living with his older brother Achilles isn’t easy, especially when they’re both trying to save their family’s nursery. It’s up to Herc to figure out how to mend his family while taking on his impossible quest.- The Grumpy Mentor: Herc’s teacher is Lieutenant Colonel Hupfer, a retired marine who doesn’t believe in friends. But his tough assignments might be exactly what Herc needs to find his own strength.- Finding Your Own Strength: Perfect for fans of Gary D. Schmidt’s The Wednesday Wars, this powerful coming-of-age story is packed with humor, heart, and the power of community.

Longlisted for the Carnegie Medal. <BR>A heartbreaking story, narrated by twelve-year-old Jack, whose family is caring for fourteen-year-old Joseph. Joseph is misunderstood. He was incarcerated for trying to kill a teacher. Or so the rumours say. But Jack and his family see something others in town don't want to.<BR>What's more, Joseph has a daughter he's never seen. The two boys go on a journey through the bitter Maine winter to help Joseph find his baby - no matter the cost.

Newbery Honor-winner Gary Schmidt tells the fascinating story of William Bradford, founder of Plymouth Colony.Near starvation. Scurvy, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. Bitter cold. Daily deaths. This was the Pilgrims' first winter in Plymouth Colony. But thanks in large part to William Bradford, the colonists survived and went on to celebrate what we call Thanksgiving.William Bradford came to the New World with the other Pilgrims in search of religious freedom. With great faith in God and in his own abilities, he established a stable colony, doing his best to be just and fair to his fellow colonists as well as to the Native Americans living in the area. After he became governor of the colony, he was reelected more than thirty times.Filled with maps, paintings, and historical illustrations, this biography for young readers by Newbery Honor-winning author Gary Schmidt introduces readers to the dramatic story of the man who founded Plymouth Colony.