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shirleytupperfreeman's review
Twelve year old Carley Connors is spunky, bright and... being placed with a foster family after a bad incident with her mother and step-father. The Murphys are a loving, imperfect family. At first Carley resists the family's overtures, then grows to love them, but hates the fact that she loves being part of the Murphys. This is a wonderful, touching story about the complications of family and love.
cathyj625's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Sweet pre-teen book.
caitlynkrat's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
sarahanne8382's review
4.0
8th grader Carley Connors has found herself in foster care after a situation with her stepdad got out of hand. Carley can't understand why Mrs. Murphy is so nice to her, especially when the only reason she's there is because her own mother can't take care of her.
This is probably a good reluctant reader book, but also good for kids to understand what it's like to be in foster care. Carley's also a great character, so from the beginning I really cared what happened to her.
This is probably a good reluctant reader book, but also good for kids to understand what it's like to be in foster care. Carley's also a great character, so from the beginning I really cared what happened to her.
hayleybeale's review
4.0
Somewhat like the Great Gilly Hopkins, but this is a much sharper contemporary version. Truly moving at the end, my only quibble is why foster parents are always so darn perfect - didn't Mrs Murphy ever once snap at her children?
toni0126's review
5.0
This book truly tugged on my heart strings. I cried several times and made sure to write a great review at the school I teach at. I think more kids should read this book. It’s eye opening to a lot of the behaviors for some of their peers. It can show them that what they’re actions are saying on the surface, may not match the emotions that child is truly feeling due to trauma. Loved it!
mlwilson1021's review
4.0
This is a great story for young people or adults working with troubled teens. I did not like the ending.
3smallsalsmum's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Books don't often make me cry, but this one did.
alboyer6's review
4.0
Great book, balled my eyes out. Carley is a feisty girl just trying to cope with a new foster family and a mother in the hospital because of Carley's abusive stepfather.