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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
First crying book of the year. -03.20.2019
Second crying book of the year. -01.02.2022
Second crying book of the year. -01.02.2022
I was asked to read this book and review it by the author and I must say I’m very happy I was because I may not have thought to pick it up otherwise. I would have missed a great story about a young girl finding out who she is and that’s okay to let people in and trust them. I would never have known just how strong Carley Connors was even at a mere 12 years old.
One for the Murphys is about Carley Connors, a young girl from Las Vegas who lived with her single mom. Although they live pretty inconveniently Carley felt both secured and loved by her mom. It wasn’t until Dennis came into the picture that things changed. Carley didn’t trust her mother’s new husband and she isn’t quiet about it. So when the family moves to Connecticut and things take a turn for the worse, landing both she and her mom in the hospital, Carley is thrust into the foster care system. A family by the name of Murphy take her in and show her the true meaning of family and what love is really like. This inevitably changes her forever.
I really enjoyed Carley as a character. She was endearing; very likable and relatable. After reading what the experience that landed her in the hospital I could understand why she was so closed off emotionally from strangers. She refused to trust and I couldn’t blame her. She was just a scared kid and all she wanted was to create a family (one that she felt safe and protected in) with her mom. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Thankfully, being with the Murphy clan, the Mrs. and the two youngest boys in particular, let Carley grow and blossom. Starting out as an angry little girl with a hard shell made it enjoyable to watch the boys and Mrs. Murphy soften it enough to crack through.
Honestly, Carley’s relationship with Mrs. Murphy was my favorite part of the book, save for the Red Sox stuff . No seriously through I loved the dynamic between these two characters. Mrs. Murphy never stepped over her boundaries even when she wanted to and she never pushed Carley into doing something she wasn’t comfortable with. She was the best kind of support Carley could have and watching her open up to this surrogate mom was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Without trying too hard she brought Carley out of her shell and made her believe in herself and to see how strong she really was even if she did get emotional at times.
What I didn’t like in this story was Carley’s mother. I found her incredibly selfish and immature. Carley wasn’t her daughter, she was one of her possessions that she wanted to hold on to and control. She wasn’t a good mother by any stretch of the imagination. Did she love her daughter? No doubt. But that isn’t all there is to the parent/child relationship. Carley needed consistency and stability and she never gave that to her. And don’t even get me started on what lead to the two of them ending up in the hospital. Her mother’s actions, although explained, we’re vile to me and unforgivable. She was by far the worst part.
With that said One for the Murphys is really a fantastic read about love and understanding and finding out who you are. I know it is for middle school age, but I’m not so sure a ten year old should read it with the talk of domestic violence. I would really go with 14 plus, but that’s just me. Definitely a powerful debut by Hunt and I hope to read more by her in the future.
One for the Murphys is about Carley Connors, a young girl from Las Vegas who lived with her single mom. Although they live pretty inconveniently Carley felt both secured and loved by her mom. It wasn’t until Dennis came into the picture that things changed. Carley didn’t trust her mother’s new husband and she isn’t quiet about it. So when the family moves to Connecticut and things take a turn for the worse, landing both she and her mom in the hospital, Carley is thrust into the foster care system. A family by the name of Murphy take her in and show her the true meaning of family and what love is really like. This inevitably changes her forever.
I really enjoyed Carley as a character. She was endearing; very likable and relatable. After reading what the experience that landed her in the hospital I could understand why she was so closed off emotionally from strangers. She refused to trust and I couldn’t blame her. She was just a scared kid and all she wanted was to create a family (one that she felt safe and protected in) with her mom. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Thankfully, being with the Murphy clan, the Mrs. and the two youngest boys in particular, let Carley grow and blossom. Starting out as an angry little girl with a hard shell made it enjoyable to watch the boys and Mrs. Murphy soften it enough to crack through.
Honestly, Carley’s relationship with Mrs. Murphy was my favorite part of the book, save for the Red Sox stuff . No seriously through I loved the dynamic between these two characters. Mrs. Murphy never stepped over her boundaries even when she wanted to and she never pushed Carley into doing something she wasn’t comfortable with. She was the best kind of support Carley could have and watching her open up to this surrogate mom was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Without trying too hard she brought Carley out of her shell and made her believe in herself and to see how strong she really was even if she did get emotional at times.
What I didn’t like in this story was Carley’s mother. I found her incredibly selfish and immature. Carley wasn’t her daughter, she was one of her possessions that she wanted to hold on to and control. She wasn’t a good mother by any stretch of the imagination. Did she love her daughter? No doubt. But that isn’t all there is to the parent/child relationship. Carley needed consistency and stability and she never gave that to her. And don’t even get me started on what lead to the two of them ending up in the hospital. Her mother’s actions, although explained, we’re vile to me and unforgivable. She was by far the worst part.
With that said One for the Murphys is really a fantastic read about love and understanding and finding out who you are. I know it is for middle school age, but I’m not so sure a ten year old should read it with the talk of domestic violence. I would really go with 14 plus, but that’s just me. Definitely a powerful debut by Hunt and I hope to read more by her in the future.
Complete. Emotional. Destruction.
Carley is a foster child coming out of a pretty bad situation with her mother and stepfather. She's placed in the home of the Murphys, who are a well-oiled machine of love and kindness, and the story progresses with Carley's resistance, her resilience, her slow acceptance, and beyond. It's a beautiful book that's important without being preachy, and strikes a near perfect balance.
I have my issues with the book, many of which are outlined here, but I also didn't view this read as a factualish account, but more a story about love and kindness rather than about the foster system itself. As someone who really wants to be a foster parent in the future, this warmed me in a lot of ways, and warned me as well. No one expects it to be easy, I'm sure.
Still, regardless, this is a really beautiful book. It's going to tug at your emotions a lot, and it might do the same for the right kid picking it up, too. This is this year's Pie for me in a lot of respects - it's a great read with a great lesson and a great takeaway, and one everyone should give a good look at.
Carley is a foster child coming out of a pretty bad situation with her mother and stepfather. She's placed in the home of the Murphys, who are a well-oiled machine of love and kindness, and the story progresses with Carley's resistance, her resilience, her slow acceptance, and beyond. It's a beautiful book that's important without being preachy, and strikes a near perfect balance.
I have my issues with the book, many of which are outlined here, but I also didn't view this read as a factualish account, but more a story about love and kindness rather than about the foster system itself. As someone who really wants to be a foster parent in the future, this warmed me in a lot of ways, and warned me as well. No one expects it to be easy, I'm sure.
Still, regardless, this is a really beautiful book. It's going to tug at your emotions a lot, and it might do the same for the right kid picking it up, too. This is this year's Pie for me in a lot of respects - it's a great read with a great lesson and a great takeaway, and one everyone should give a good look at.
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I had to read this book for a book club and honestly, at first, I wasn't that excited. I am a huge fantasy fan and didn't usually stray from that genre. But after reading this book I fell in love with the characters (especially Toni!) and was crying at the end. This book has really great humor and you will want Carley to be your best friend! Absolutely loved it!
Carley is a really interesting character. Up until she moves in with the Murphy's, she is a tough kid who has raised herself. She has many barriers and uses attitude to hide her feelings. Her relationship with Mrs. Murphy really helps her to see herself differently, as Mrs. Murphy teaches her that she is in charge of her destiny.
I didn't care for the ending of this, because it was bittersweet, but I'm sure it is a very real portrayal of what often happens to foster children. This is a very realistic book, and some of it may be too graphic. I had a hard time reading some parts, so I figure not all middle grade students could handle this. Even though the main character is 12, there are a lot of hard lines in this book. However, it is very well written. I think I would read more by this author.
I didn't care for the ending of this, because it was bittersweet, but I'm sure it is a very real portrayal of what often happens to foster children. This is a very realistic book, and some of it may be too graphic. I had a hard time reading some parts, so I figure not all middle grade students could handle this. Even though the main character is 12, there are a lot of hard lines in this book. However, it is very well written. I think I would read more by this author.
I absolutely loved this book.
http://rainydayreadingreviews.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-for-murphys-by-lynda-mullaly-hunt.html
http://rainydayreadingreviews.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-for-murphys-by-lynda-mullaly-hunt.html
Have Kleenex nearby for the end! A great, heartfelt YA book.
As I read, I had a few students in mind who would love this easy, touching story.