Orbiting Jupiter

You know how teachers are. If they get you to take out a book they love too, they're yours for life.

It's not the solution, Mr. Canton. It's the path to the solution that's fascinating.

We were just about the last ones to leave. Reverend Ballou took Joseph’s hand to shake it, and Joseph said, “How much of that story is true?” Reverend Ballou considered this. “I think it all has to be true, or none of it,” he said. “The angels?” said Joseph. “Really?” “Why not?” said Reverend Ballou. “Because bad things happen,” said Joseph. “If there were angels, then bad things wouldn’t happen.” “Maybe angels aren’t always meant to stop bad things.” “So what good are they?” “To be with us when bad things happen.” Joseph looked at him. “Then where the hell were they?” he said. I thought Reverend Ballou was going to start bawling.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” And that’s when I started crying. Crying like a kindergarten kid in front of everyone. Crying because Joseph wasn’t just my friend. I had his back. And he had mine. That’s what greater love is.

So you want to tell me what a sixth grader was doing in the eighth-grade side of the locker room, in a eighth-grade fight?" he said. "Winning," I said.

And she glowed with light like the brightest planet in the darkest sky.

I knelt down, and Jupiter put out both her hands and pulled my ears. “Jackie,” said Jupiter. “That’s right,” I said. “Jackie.

Sometimes it's like that. You know something good is coming, and even though it's not even close yet, still, just knowing it's coming is enough to make you snort and nicker. Sort of." -Jack

Joseph just listened. It was like he was dragging every word about Jupiter into himself so he could remember it and treasure it in his heart.

« Around and around, and the sharp stars watched. And the low moon. And Jupiter over the mountains. »

Jupiter. I promise I'll always know where you are.

Christmas is the season for miracles, you know. Sometimes they come big and loud, I guess—but I’ve never seen one of those. I think probably most miracles are a lot smaller, and sort of still, and so quiet, you could miss them.

You can tell all you need to know about someone from the way cows are around him.

But he can't love her just for himself. He has to love her for her, too. That means he has to learn to let her live the life that can come to her with a new home.

That was how Joseph heard for the first time that he would never see Madeleine again, never touch her again, never talk to her again, never walk through the woods with her again. That was how Joseph heard for the first time that Madeleine, whom he loved, was gone.

Maybe angels aren't always meant to stop bad things.' 'So what good are they?' 'To be with us when bad things happen.' Joseph looked at him. 'Then where the hell were they?' he said.

I can’t see Jupiter,” Joseph said. “The moon’s too bright. And I don’t know where she is.

Sometimes it’s like that. You know something good is coming, and even though it’s not even close yet, still, just knowing it’s coming is enough to make you snort and nicker. Sort of.

I think probably most miracles are a lot smaller, and sort of still, and so quiet, you could miss them.

Maybe angels aren't always meant to stop bad things.’ ‘So what good are they?’ ‘To be with us when bad things happen.

Being responsible means being ready to do what you're supposed to be doing, even if no one is watching or making you do it. - Mr. Canton

During the day, the air glistened with hovering ice. At night, the stars were razor sharp. At dawn, the sunlight went straight up in a hazy column. And sunset closed the day with a quick wink. No kidding. One minute it was bright daylight, and then you turned your back and it was full dark, like it was trying to catch you.

Like I said, you can tell a whole lot about someone from the way cows are around him.

He laughed, but not a happy laugh. "Jackie, I'm a whole lifetime ahead of you," he said.

Maybe angels aren’t always meant to stop bad things.” “So what good are they?” “To be with us when bad things happen.” Joseph looked at him. “Then where the hell were they?” he said.

And I carried her into the house.