Reviews - One for the Murphys

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One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

476 reviews for:

“Do you know what courage is? It's being afraid and doing it anyway.”

I have had students recommend this book to me for several years now and I just never picked it up. Holy smokes was this good. This book follows 12-year-old Carley Connors who ends up in foster care after her mom's boyfriend beat up her mom so badly she ended up in the hospital. Carley does not want to be with this new family, the Murphy's, in their perfect house with their three perfect boys, and their perfect life. Carley is moved from Las Vegas to Connecticut and does not want to be living with these strange people in this strange place. As she settles in, Carley finds herself connecting with the three boys: Daniel, Adam, and Michael Eric. She starts to teach them basketball and helps them navigate the neighborhood bullies. Carley also finds herself making friends at school and connecting with Mrs. Murphy too. But then Carley gets word from her mom, and her life is upended again.

I really enjoyed Carley's story and getting some insight into fostering. I feel like a lot of stories about foster families in middle grade stories are really negative stories that are chalk full of horror stories and terrible situations. I was so happy to see this story about a positive fostering experience with a family who really, truly cared about Carley. This book was hard to read at times, but I think it's so important to remember that there are children who are living similar experiences as Carley, some at earlier ages than Carley. Some kids are forced to grow up way too quickly and it's nice to see their experiences validated in literature as well. I am very glad I finally read this one and I will continue to recommend it to middle grade readers.

TW: adult beats up child and partner, child neglect

skajder's review against another edition

4.0

Carley's journey was so genuine - and beautifully written. I literally was lost in this book. Can't wait to put it in middle school readers' hands!

apigonfire's review against another edition

5.0

Oh my heart! Cried like a baby on this one. I think Hunt may be my new favorite author!

bricrall's review against another edition

5.0

This book is such a beautiful and powerful story. Heart wrenching and touching. Another book I feel everyone should read. This book and characters will have a place in my heart.

amandarayebirdwellmurphy's review against another edition

5.0

W.O.W.

cindysbookcorner's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt has been on my to be read pile for a few years. I was glad when it was picked for this month's book club.

The author has painted a realistic picture of a child entering foster care and what her experiences might be like. The story is told from Carley's perspective, which is perfect for the intended audience.

As a previous foster parent, I can tell you that fostering is hard. It is hard for everyone. The kid in foster care and their parents, the parents that take them in, and any kids that family has. Sometimes the family is a good fit and sometimes they are not. Carley was one of the lucky ones, even though she didn't think so.

Carley appears older than her twelve years, but that is due to the life she has led. Her emotions, anger, thoughts, and feelings are spot on for any child in the system.

Mrs. Murphy is a great foster mom but has real emotions. I am glad the author portrayed that and didn't keep her as super perfect. The emotions that Mr. Murphy experienced were also very real. He is not with the child all that time, and even less so with his job, so he wouldn't form an immediate attachment and would be more concerned with his family than the foster child.

I would have liked more out of the ending. I would love to see how things played out, even just a little further than the story, checking in to see how Carly is doing.

Overall, this is a strong, hopeful story. Some parts are harder to read than others, but they are necessary for the story.

mandaerin68's review against another edition

5.0

This book was GREAT!! I could not stop turning the pages, I finished this book in one night. By the end of the book it had me crying my eyes out. Carley’s story tugs at your heart and you really feel for Mrs. Murphy. Using it as a book club book for my students and they love it too!