Chasing Jupiter by Rachel Coker - Team Novel Teen Blog Tour

Quick blurb:

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.


I loved this book.  Rachel Coker is an incredibly talented teen author.  Her first book, Interrupted, was excellent, and I found this one maybe even better.  

The characters were excellently crafted.  I wasn't sure at the very beginning, but within the first three chapters, I feel in love with Cliff.  He was so sweet, so innocent.  It was obvious that he wasn't just a normal child, but in the same way, he wasn't too abnormal to be unrelatable.  It was easy to fall in love with his character, and he definitely made the book so great.

I also have to hand it to Coker for creating the climax and dark moment at the end.  It was definitely a shock, but it stirred some real emotion.  It was a wonderful story.  A sad story, but a wonderful one.

Another great success from my favorite teen author :)

Buy this book on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/031073293X/ref=as_li_ss_til?tag=wwwteenageaut-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as4&creativeASIN=031073293X&adid=1CA582E42YYCB9E90CYY 

Rachel's Blog:
http://www.rachelcoker.com/

Other Reviews:

ADD Librarian • Becoming More Like You • Book Nook 4 You • Blooming with Books • Bookworm Reading  • Christian Book Review Blog • CTF Devourer • Gillian Adams • Jessica Laurie • Jill Williamson • Labor Not in Vain • Rachelle Rea • The Ramblings of a Young Author • A Slightly Nerdy Bookworm • Shadow Writer World • Surrendering All of Me • Worthy2Read

Team Novel Teen is a group of bloggers dedicated to spreading the word about clean teen fiction, click here for more information.  I received this book free from Zondervan Publishers in exchange for writing a review.  However, the views and opinions expressed are entirely my own.