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Book Review of Chasing Jupiter

Chasing Jupiter
Chasing Jupiter
Author: Rachel Coker
Genre: Teen & Young Adult
Book Type: Hardcover
LindseyfromBFCG avatar reviewed on + 117 more book reviews


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 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."


Series: As of now, no. :(


Spiritual Content- Many Scriptures are quoted; Scarlett prays but says she "never gave much thought to God or heaven." And that she "only 16, a long time before" she "really had to worry about getting right with the good Lord'."; Juli's boyfriend, Ziggy, has brainwashed Juli into believing into the whole "Enlightenment" (have an open mind and good things will happen to you), when Julie shares that idea with Scarlett, Scarlett rolls her eyes; Mrs. Greene witnesses to Scarlett quite a few times; *Spoiler* Scarlett prays and becomes a Christian *End of Spoiler*.


Negative Content- Minor Cussing including: a shush up', two gosh's, two forms of idiot', two forms of darn', six drat's, 18 forms of stupid'; a curse is said but not written; A chicken almost gets killed for supper (semi-detailed); cigarette smoking (not Scarlett); Scarlett slaps Juli & Juli slaps Scarlett back harder.


Sexual Content- a kiss between a married couple (barely above not-detailed); Crushes & Juli has a boyfriend

-Scarlett Blaine, age 16 (then 17)
First person P.O.V. of Scarlett
Set in 1969
216 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Five Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars (and a half)

Do I have to give this book back to the library?!
I cannot say how much I enjoyed this book! The humor (not always sarcastic humor, mostly good ol' knock-knock jokes), the very tiny amount of romance (crushes), and the best part of all--the Witnessing! I was bawling at many times! What's really neat about this book is it's written by a fellow homeschooler! Rachel Coker wrote & published this book in 2012--at age 16!
Some of my favorite quotes are:

"Hey, knock, knock," Cliff said. His voice sounded loud in the quiet hallway.
"Who's there?"
"Luke."
I frowned. Cliff was pretty good at telling knock-knock jokes, but I hadn't heard this one yet. "Luke who?"
"Luke through the hole and you'll find out." He gave me his signature punch-line smile."'


"Frank's brows rose. His eyes trailed over me to Cliff, who was grumpily walking in circles and then back to me. "Why are you talking to yourself?"
Funny story... My mind raced, but I couldn't think of a logical reason. I sighed. Let him think I'm crazy. "I'm more pleasant company than any other person I can think of. No one else is as eager to listen to me as I am."
He stared at me blankly for a moment. Then a smile broke out on his face, slowly at first but then blossoming into a full-out grin.'



*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

*{{'Books for Christian Girls' reviews all genres of Christian books, writing down all the Spiritual, Negative & Sexual content and does ratings for girls ages 9-19.
Keep in mind, when reading a BFCG review, ignore the things that don't bother you, but take notice of the things that do.}}