Orbiting Jupiter

Joseph is a 14-year-old boy who lives with the Hurds as their foster child. He is a physically average-looking young man: “Black eyes, black hair […] a little less than middle for height, a little less than middle for weight” (4). When he arrives at the Hurd farm, he is standoffish and quiet, but as he and Jack become friends, Joseph begins to express himself more openly. Joseph shows some childlike tendencies consistent with his age that contrast with the fact that he has already fathered a child. He throws stones at the First Congregational bell, has snowball fights with Jack, and displays an affinity for the farm’s animals. Joseph also shows impressive athletic talents.

Joseph has a contentious relationship with most adults. Maddie’s parents threaten to press charges against him, Mr. Canton discourages Jack from spending time with him, and he once attacked a teacher at a correctional facility. He is especially wary of physical contact from adults because he suffered significant trauma before arriving at the Hurd farm. He has only one memory of his mother, and his father is physically abusive. As well, his beloved Maddie dies in childbirth, and Joseph is unable to meet his own daughter. This emotional trauma causes much of Joseph’s violence and introversion, and Orbiting Jupiter tracks his progress toward healing.

Joseph is both driven and reckless. He persists in his attempts to find Maddie and, later, Jupiter despite the risks to his safety. However, he is also a savior figure. He sacrifices his own life to protect Jack from Mr. Brook, an act of selflessness that illustrates his growing appreciation for the Hurds—his surrogate family. In this sense, Joseph is a tragic hero.

Jack’s father is the head of the Hurd household and farm. As a farmer, Mr. Hurd is a hard worker, and he expects the same from Jack and Joseph. Mr. Hurd is also a beacon of wisdom and compassion, sympathizing with Jack when the boy joins Joseph’s fight. As well, he agrees to look for Joseph when Joseph runs away. He is a role model of considered action. His antipathy for Mr. Brook is clear, for example, but he never resorts to violence. Together with his wife, the Hurds are the “best foster parents” Mrs. Stroud can find when she needs a safe place for Joseph Brook to live.

Jack’s mother fills many traditional maternal roles in the Hurd household. Though she cooks meals and does laundry, she is not just a domestic character. Jack and Joseph both listen intently to her commands, and she makes the decision to defy Mrs. Stroud’s orders and search for Joseph in Brunswick. Mrs. Hurd’s backstory shows that she is passionate about her morals. 

Mrs. Stroud is a social worker for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and she is responsible for finding a safe place for Joseph to live. She provides information about Joseph and his father, including the news that Mr. Brook is holding up Jupiter’s adoption. Mrs. Stroud refuses to allow Mr. Brook to take Joseph away from the Hurd farm during his visit, and she advises the Hurds against searching for Joseph in Brunswick. 

Mr. Brook is Joseph’s biological father. He serves as the novel’s main antagonist. He is motivated only by greed, and he doesn’t trust that the Hurds are fostering Joseph for the right reasons. Mr. Brook physically abused Joseph in the past, and in his narration, Jack relates no redeeming qualities. Mr. Brook’s greed causes his own death and the death of Joseph.

Mr. Canton is the vice principal of Eastham Middle. Mr. Canton likes Jack but worries that Joseph will be a bad influence on him. Mr. Canton allows his mistrust of Joseph to cloud his judgment at times, going so far as to rebuke Joseph for reading during Joseph’s office duty period. Mr. Canton is present for two major events that take place at the Alliance River. He drives Jack and Joseph home after they fall through the ice, and his collision with Brook’s truck directly precedes the accident that takes Joseph’s life.