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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
great main character and compelling, but incredibly stressful look at the foster care system.
sad
medium-paced
It was a sad, but good book. It had me keeping back tears. Definitely recommend it!
Just a warning. You will not read this book without crying. But read it anyway.
Loved this book. A great way to show how far a little kindness can go.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The premise of this book is simple - single daughter from a damaged home goes to live with a new foster family and has her eyes opened.
The book was more of a break in Carley's dismal life, showing her what a loving family is all about and getting her to explore relationships (siblings, friends, how loving adults should behave, etc.), interspersed with lots of little snippets to highlight how good she is at her core, even if she plays out because she's uncomfortable being emotional and doesn't know how to react when she's treated decently.
There were lots of niggly, silly errors that made me sigh, but didn't totally spoil my enjoyment of the book.
All the way through I had that stomach-churning, pre-drama feeling as I awaited her mother's re-appearance, but it was a damp squib of an ending.
Perhaps, that was the point.
The book was more of a break in Carley's dismal life, showing her what a loving family is all about and getting her to explore relationships (siblings, friends, how loving adults should behave, etc.), interspersed with lots of little snippets to highlight how good she is at her core, even if she plays out because she's uncomfortable being emotional and doesn't know how to react when she's treated decently.
There were lots of niggly, silly errors that made me sigh, but didn't totally spoil my enjoyment of the book.
All the way through I had that stomach-churning, pre-drama feeling as I awaited her mother's re-appearance, but it was a damp squib of an ending.
Perhaps, that was the point.
As I read, I had a few students in mind who would love this easy, touching story.
Great book. Good choice for 5th grade - middle school. Not sure whether I'd put it in my elementary library, but it was very well written.
This book probably means more to me as a mother, but my fifth grade students could understand and empathize with Carley Connors. The turmoil that Carley faces feels so real and genuine. Sometimes people don't have all the answers, and books don't often reflect that. Lynda Mullaly Hunt did a wonderful job describing events to help me feel them along with the main characters.
One for the Murphys is a good read. I would recommend this to children 8-10 years old. The language is in line with 3rd to 4th grade. I gave this 3 stars because although it is a good read, it doesn't really have that intangible thing that makes me want to reread this book. In One for the Murphys we are introduced to Carly who has had a tough life and ends up in foster care because her mother isn't able to care for her. This is where we get to meet the Murphys in all their perfectly normal family life. Carly doesn't want to like the Murphys and at the beginning she doesn't but as they spend more and more time together Carly warms to the Murphys. She wishes that there were two of her, 'one for the Murphys' and one for her mother. As Carly grows she learns about Mrs Murphys background and why it matters to Mrs. Murphy that Carly has a good home.