One for the Murphys

This is a touching account of a girl named Carley Conners who fi

This is a touching account of a girl named Carley Conners who finds herself in a foster home full of Murphys. The Murphys are good people, willing to let Carley into their hearts and home, but Carley isn't used to that concept. As the story unfolds, you begin to understand how a girl could feel she somehow doesn't deserve a stable place with people who love her. There are revelations that are truly surprising, and took my breath away. Lynda Mullaly Hunt's writing is spot on- you feel like you are in Carley's head, navigating these uncharted waters right along with her. If you think you know how a book like this might end, you probably don't. I didn't see it coming, and I am glad I didn't. It's an engaging story right up to the authentic end. Give this one a read and you're apt to gain some real insight into what it means to belong and what is truly important in your own life.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

This lovely, character-driven story about twelve year-old foster

This lovely, character-driven story about twelve year-old foster child Carley Connors should resonate not only with kids who are or have been in the foster care system, but with any kid who has ever felt like an outsider, or has felt weird and unlovable. It's hard to fit in when you're twelve no matter what your story is.

The writing is clean and unadorned with sentimentality, much like Carley herself as she moves through a scary new chapter of her life that she had no part in naming. There's plenty of wit and memorable characters (I wished I'd had a friend in school like Toni Byers, or a Social Studies teacher like Mr. Ruben), and so much heart and soul here that I barreled through the book in one sitting because I HAD to find out how Carley's story turned out. Five days later she's still here in my head. Score!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

This book is pretty Wicked...

We read this in class, it is a touching book about a twelve year old named Carley Conners, her step father abused her and she was put into foster care. The Murphys seem too perky and perfect at first but she learns that sometimes "it's time to be changed for the better"(-Wicked) I love this book dearly, the abuse and violence may be scary for children under the age of 10, but I'm sure that if you read it first it is probably ok for as young as you see fit...

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A Beautiful Account of What Family Really Means

4.5 stars

Carly Connors is a beaten down, jaded, kind of bitter, but truly sweet girl. She’s had a rough life, gone through more than any child should, and starts off the story by heading to a foster home. These are all things that many middle grade readers cannot relate to, but then we see the kind Carly who has a knack for the sarcastic and who loves making the two little boys she moves in with happy.

Throughout Carly’s time with the Murphy’s, we see every side there is to her: She’s young and vulnerable, so we see her cry; she’s tough and has had to grow up far too fast, so she’s smart and independent; she could easily be closed off because how she’s been treated in the past, but slowly, she opens up. Her relationship with Mrs. Murphy is the backbone of the book and incredibly touching. Carly grows to love this mother figure that she never really had before.

Carly’s relationship with her schoolmate, Toni, has all kinds of wonderful parallels to her own life and teaches her more than one lesson, but it never comes off as preachy. There was not one moment in the book that I could imagine a middle grade reader becoming frustrated with. The pace and the tone of the book remain constant throughout and the entire story comes off as realistic. Toni’s obsession with Wicked is also a nice touch.

Any Bostonian will appreciate the little nods to the Red Sox. I know I enjoyed it, along with Mr. Murphy’s true Sox fan attitude toward the Yankees. His reaction to Toni’s taunting help to lighten the mood. Because with such a deep and emotional subject matter, One For the Murphys does have its tearjerker moments. It would be wise to have a box of tissues handy, especially towards the end.

One For the Murphys is a heartfelt, heartbreaking, subtle, and beautifully realistic show of one girl’s journey from broken home to finding out what family means. The characters have so much depth and readers will find themselves thoroughly attached to Carly Connors and the entire Murphy family. Lynda Mullaly Hunt has masterfully taken the subject of fostering and opened it up to a new audience. Carly’s story has its ups and downs (remember those tissues!), but the ending is perfectly bittersweet.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Carley’s life has never been picture perfect, but there is

Carley’s life has never been picture perfect, but there is one thing that keeps her going, the love she has for her mother and the love she believes is returned. That is, until the day her mother betrays Carley, choosing an abusive man over her very own daughter and places Carley’s life is in jeopardy.

After a brutal attack by her stepfather that left Carley with several bruises and her mother heavily sedated in a hospital bed, Carley is released and is left in the care of a foster family. Carley’s emotions are spinning, she feels betrayed, but nevertheless, she doesn't want to live with another family.

Never knowing how it feels to be part of a real family, one that loves and genuinely cares for one another, once Carley experiences such affection, she feels as though she doesn’t belong and that she doesn’t deserve the kindness that the Murphys have shown her. After several weeks have passed, the time has come for Carley to return in her mother’s custody. Will Carley return to her mother and receive that warm and loving embrace she’s been dreaming of, or will her emotions toward the Murphys prevent her from leaving?

One For The Murphys is an emotional tale that will leave readers shedding tears at this heartfelt story of Carley Connors and the journey she takes to discover herself as well as the true meaning of the love of a family.

My favorite aspect of One For The Murphys is how relatable and engaging the characters were. To me, the characters were real. I could clearly imagine young Michael Eric tie a cape around his shoulders, run around the living room and pretend to be a superhero, watch Adam play Michael Eric’s sidekick or ignore him to play with his cars, and of course, watch Daniel dribble the ball and smile brightly at Carley in the stands just at that moment where he finally scores his first shot at his basketball game. I could also smell the delicious pie Mrs. Murphy makes just for Carley when she needs it most, and hear Mr. Murphy cheer for his favorite baseball team no matter the score after a long day of working at the fire station. There were so many special moments that Carley experiences in the novel that made me laugh along with the characters or reach out for a box of tissues, moments that are truly unforgettable.

Lynda Mullaly Hunt is a phenomenal writer whose work I hope to read more of. One For The Murphys is one of my favorite reads of 2012 so far, and Lynda Mullaly Hunt should be commended for this truly wonderful and unforgettable debut.

I recommend One For The Murphys to those who enjoy reading Young Adult and Contemporary titles.

5/5 MUST READ! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Congrats Mrs.Hunt!

I am proud to say I met you in person today. I am wearing my wrist band right now! The book is amazing and sitting in the front row seat of your presentation was awesome! I am going to write my own book someday, you inspire me Mrs.Hunt!

3 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

?

When I got the sample it only showed me the table of contents now I don't know what the book is like?!
(I am giving this book a fake review because i have not read it yet)

2 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

A must for foster/adoptive families

Thank you from a foster/adoptive home for almost 30 years.
Lana

2 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Best book ive ever read

This is an amazing heart warming read for all ages

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

My favorite book ever~

I love this book. The end is so sad how Carly might not be able to see the Murphys again. I recomended this book to kids9-14.(But its a great book for everyone.) If you have not read this book make sure you do. Then when your done reading it tell us what you thought. You can just write a review or you can write a review to cakepop123. I love to here what you think about books!
cakepop123

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Ending ws so sad I cried

Terrific bokk but the ending was ;(

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Is this book good?

Should i buy this book or is it too harsh for peeps under12?

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

This debut novel is full of heart and humor. When the story begi

This debut novel is full of heart and humor. When the story begins, Carley is a victim of intimate violence. She endures bruises, a hospital stay, and the greatest betrayal of all, without shedding a tear. While in foster care with the Murphy family, Carley experiences the unconditional love of a family. The experience changes her forever. So why is she crying now? You'll have to read the book to find out. One for the Murphys leaves the reader with one important unanswered question, How can I be somebody's hero?

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Anonymous

I loved this book! It is my new favorite book. My favorite character is Michael Eric. :)

1 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

A poignant read that drew me in from the start. My Rating: 4

A poignant read that drew me in from the start.


My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

Disclaimers: I received this book for review as part of the Debut Author Challenge Blog Tour in exchange for my honest review. Thanks Tara and Lisa.

My Overall Thoughts/Impressions: In one sentence: A poignant read that drew me in from the start. This book was nothing like I thought it would be and yet it was ten times better. I've always loved this genre and even thought it was about a younger girl, I found myself falling in love with the story.

Hunt's debut novel definitely is one of the best realistic contemporary fiction novels I've read this year. Hunt created an all-star cast from even the most minor character to the main character Carley. I found myself thoroughly entertained by all of the characters and loved nearly all of them.

Carley was a character that I really liked. She's been in an abusive situation and yet she is still so caring and such a good person. Naturally, she's got her "issues" but she was a character that left me smiling and one that I loved reading about.

Mrs. Murphy was amazing. There is no other way to say it. I admired her from the moment Hunt introduced her in the novel. However, like I mentioned earlier, all of the characters in this book were fantastic.

The writing was fantastic. Hunt wrote in a compelling manner that left me feeling like I really was in Carley's head. I felt connected with her and consequently the whole story. The story flowed nicely and didn't lag. Definitely an amazing read. Read this one you won't regret it.

In Summary: A beautiful novel that I loved reading. Captivating characters, an intriguing plot, and a poignant writing style made for a brilliant read.

Warnings/Side-notes: This book deals with violence and abuse, but in a manner that I won't hesitate to recommend this to anybody despite their age.

The Wrap-up: Books about abuse have always held a soft spot for me. I feel like this is an issue that people don't talk about enough. Abuse is real and its effects are life-altering and traumatic for the victims. I loved that Hunt focused on this theme and admired the way she tackled writing this tale. It was beautiful and I loved reading it.

Love,

Danica Page

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Amazingly awesome

Amazing and sad:) totally worth 10 stars

Kanaya 7:00

Dairy Queen and Gatehouse were fun. Slightly boring but still fun :) So your gonna have to tell me all about your party :) So your having a snickers cake? Is that what Chance said? When I got home the sick peoples were watching Iron Man. Right now I'm in my room..... just sitting...... listening to the very annoying advertisements on the radio..... What are you doing? I'm thinking about going and getting my book. But it's in the Suburban :/ and I don't really want to get up. Have you heard the song 'I love it' by Icona pop? They play it on the radio sometimes. I like it :) Well hope you have a good party 8D

Karley10:30

My party (and chances) WWAS AWESOME. Not trying to brag or anything but i want to tell you what i got. From a. Emma: cool cute quilt and lotion, from a. Liz: gift card to creswell coffee and a "Miss" Goodbar, from katie: shirt and perfume and pop its, from a. Dixie: purse, wallet, 2 accesseries, and a scarf, from papa and grandma: hope chest , cook book, madie book, from abe and steena: a baketball set up together gift, from tegan: shirt, from a. Cynthia: $15, from mom and dad: adorable comfortor blanket, nice headphones, sunglsses case, curtains, bruno mars cd, hair straitner, first 3 book to
maximum ride series ;) , and a couple of other things. What did you do after you left? I agree today with the teenagers was fun but partly boring. Well this week at school is spirit week. Tomarrow is pjama day!

Great

I love this book it was touching it really can make you cry or laugh along wiith carly and i woould say that this book really go to my heart

Cool

It was a sad story at first but it got better.