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mikkelsonch's review
2.0
The main character was not as loyal to her family as a real person would have been. She was a little too quick to embrace her new family. I also think a real person would have been more emotionally disturbed. Her behavior problems magically disappeared in record time. The social worker in Chapter 30 does a really stupid, and I hope, unrealistic thing. The dialogue made me want to puke.
kkdemarco's review
5.0
Loved this book!! So witty. So heart-wrenching. An emotional roller coaster in the best way. Now I can see why so many of my students love it, too.
tippettreads's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
kbrownreads's review
5.0
This book is SO sad. I cried towards the end, and I don't cry easy. However, Mrs. Lynda Mullaly Hunt wrote this story incredibly well and I really wish there was a sequel.
thenextgenlibrarian's review
5.0
Just as amazing the second time around. It’s been a long while since I read this book, but it still managed to knock me off my feet with its perfection. We need more people like Julie Murphy and Carley in this world. I loved the foster care story, the forgiveness, the love and kindness that surrounded this MG novel.
bookgirl4ever's review
3.0
Carley is sent into foster care after her stepfather beats her, and, to her despair, her mother helps hold her down for the beating. Carley is wary of foster home she enters. The Murphys obviously love each other, the parents don't yell at the children when they make mistakes or cry, and they seem to love her (except for the oldest boy in the family who is jealous). Life with the Murphys is bliss and Carley begins to wish she could join this traditional family. But then her mother, who was also hospitalized the same night Carley was (we don't find out why until the end), recovers and Carley is faced the harsh reality that her mother is her family no matter their history.
The Murphys as times seemed almost too perfect, but I guess I do know some families that seem wonderful too. Also, there is no fairy tale ending, rather a hopeful one.
Middle school
The Murphys as times seemed almost too perfect, but I guess I do know some families that seem wonderful too. Also, there is no fairy tale ending, rather a hopeful one.
Middle school
wellingtonestatelibrary's review
4.0
This was a cute, but sad, but funny and inspirational little read. I guess I just like smart, cheeky main characters. Would be a great read for some of my nieces.
wordyanchorite's review
5.0
An honest, realistic, and sweet story of a teenager in the modern foster care system. The short chapters are easily digestible and give the story a quick pace, and the experiences of everyone involved in the placement- including the foster family, the biological family, the social worker, and Carly herself- are depicted with unapologetic forthrightness.
eiliux's review
2.0
Leí buenas reseñas que me motivaron a leer este libro. A mí me pareció lindo pero nada más.
kristid's review
3.0
When we meet Carley she is being released from the hospital and finding herself in the care of a foster family. As a reader, we don’t initially know how Carley got to be where she is, but through flashbacks in the story we are made aware of the horrors that Carley has had to endure.
Carley has never known what a loving household is like. She hates herself for not hating this foster family. We watch her struggle as she comes to terms with herself and with the actions of her mother.
One for the Murphys was an incredibly touching novel. There were several times that I felt tears brewing in my eyes. (Although there were plenty times when I was laughing too!) I wouldn’t describe One for the Murphys as a sad story. It’s not a sad story, it’s a hopeful story. It’s about family and love. It explores different types of love and although they are different, one isn’t less powerful than the other.
To me, Carley seemed much older than her twelve year old/thirteen year old self. Although it worked, because Carley has seen and experienced things that no twelve year old should have to.
I really enjoyed all the characters. The three Murphy boys, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy…. Carley’s friend Tori, even Carley’s teacher Mr. Rueben. They were all incredibly written. I battled the most with Carley’s mother. I couldn’t decide if I felt sorry for her or not. I think perhaps she needed someone in her life like Mrs. Murphy and it’s a shame she didn’t have that.
We don’t get that fairy tale happy ending, but we get a realistic one. And we are left with the hope that Carley is a better person for her experiences and that she will continue to thrive because of her time with the Murphys.
You should add One for the Murphys to your reading pile! It’s a quick read and it will definitely touch your heart!
Carley has never known what a loving household is like. She hates herself for not hating this foster family. We watch her struggle as she comes to terms with herself and with the actions of her mother.
One for the Murphys was an incredibly touching novel. There were several times that I felt tears brewing in my eyes. (Although there were plenty times when I was laughing too!) I wouldn’t describe One for the Murphys as a sad story. It’s not a sad story, it’s a hopeful story. It’s about family and love. It explores different types of love and although they are different, one isn’t less powerful than the other.
To me, Carley seemed much older than her twelve year old/thirteen year old self. Although it worked, because Carley has seen and experienced things that no twelve year old should have to.
I really enjoyed all the characters. The three Murphy boys, Mr. and Mrs. Murphy…. Carley’s friend Tori, even Carley’s teacher Mr. Rueben. They were all incredibly written. I battled the most with Carley’s mother. I couldn’t decide if I felt sorry for her or not. I think perhaps she needed someone in her life like Mrs. Murphy and it’s a shame she didn’t have that.
We don’t get that fairy tale happy ending, but we get a realistic one. And we are left with the hope that Carley is a better person for her experiences and that she will continue to thrive because of her time with the Murphys.
You should add One for the Murphys to your reading pile! It’s a quick read and it will definitely touch your heart!