The Book of Jupiter

by Robin Stevenson

Thirteen-year-old Ara lives in an isolated community called Jupiter Station . Her family abides by the teachings of Father Jupiter, their self-appointed leader, and follows the strict rules laid out in his Book of Jupiter. Ara has always believed what she’s been taught, including Father Jupiter’s prophecy that the family will soon become stardust and Ascend to the planet Jupiter, where they’ll live together forever. But when her older brother Leo reveals his doubts about Father Jupiter and his teachings, Ara must decide who to believe—and what to do.

Delving into the world of a religious cult and the dangers of unquestioning faith, this chilling tale of awakening delivers gripping plot twists and a powerful reminder that the truth is worth fighting for.

Genres: Middle Grade

220 pages, Hardcover

Published June 2, 2026

About the author

Robin Stevenson is the award winning author of over thirty books of fiction and non-fiction for kids and teens. Her books have received starred reviews and have won the Silver Birch Award, the Sheila A. Egoff award and a Stonewall Honor, and been finalists for the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Lambda Literary Awards, and many reader’s choice awards. Robin was the Book and Periodical Council of Canada’s Champion of Free Expression for 2022, and received the Lieutenant Governor's Award for Literary Excellence in 2023. She lives on the west coast of Canada.

Reviews

[Read by Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts off slow but ramps up for a climactic second half.

[Deke Moulton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceedingly suspenseful.

I read this book in approximately four hours. It was very hard to put down. The story follows Ara, a girl who is growing up in a cult, and her older brother Leo, who has just enough memories of the outside to start to question everything that they have been made to believe in Jupiter Station— the neopagan, planet worshiping cult they have been brought to.

It’s really hard to talk about this book without revealing too many spoilers, but I found it very hard to put this book down because I was so invested in the characters uncovering the truth of their situation. As a reader, you very quickly understand that they are in a cult, and it is so jarring to be reading from their point of view as they navigate the world beyond what they have been made to believe it is.

And at a very slim 200 pages, I think that this would be a great book for any reader, but especially reluctant readers. Short chapters keep it engaging.

There are moments in the book where characters reflect upon real world colts, which introduces a little bit of history, which I appreciated.

Honestly, the only thing I did not like about this book was the cover. Tell me it makes the book seem like more of a tragedy or an emotional book rather than an extremely high stakes suspenseful book.

Highly recommend!

[Bookworm4Life · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ara has lived in an isolated community called Jupiter Station her whole life. Her family abides by the teachings of their leader Father Jupiter, a self-proclaimed prophet. They follow his strict teachings found in the Book of Jupiter. Ara has always believed Father Jupiter's teachings, especially the prophecy about them all one day ascending to live as stardust on the planet Jupiter. But when her older brother Leo begins to express doubt about the teachings and goes missing, Ara begins to doubt everything she's been told. Ara must decide who and what she truly believes- and what she must do to protect her family.

An interesting middle grade read that explores growing up in a cult and teaches that finding the truth is always worth fighting for. I finished this book in two days because I was so hooked.

[Jen Nishi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am fascinated by middle grade novels that are set in or discuss cults. And this one is a good one! It is well written and contains fully developed characters and discusses cults and control in a very mg friendly way. A solid read I really enjoyed.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Review to come closer to publication date.