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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I've been reading a lot of sad books lately, especially about kids in foster care or in the care of a relative. I though that Carley was believable and well-rounded. Her thought processes and conflicts were excellent. I knew why she put up walls, and I hoped that her foster mother, Julie, could help Carley take them down. The family dynamics were pretty believable. I can see how everyone in a family might not be on board, and there could be tensions over it between the mother and father. All of that was done well.
I also liked the relationship she developed with Toni. I would've liked to learn more about Rainer through Toni, so he'd be more developed. Overall, school and friendships were done well
The rest of this will give some hint of the ending away. So don't read on if you don't want to know.
************ Spoiler Alert **************
The legal system was a bit worrisome here. I hope it's not how the court and foster care actually work. Carley has no therapist and nobody checking in on her. She sees her mom unsupervised. Her mom is mean when they have their first reunion--showing little remorse or growth. It was disgusting, actually. The system let her be abused by her mother again, and I had no doubt it would continue if she moved back with her mother. Carley isn't given a choice about where to live. And her mom was neglectful and abusive, but there seems to be no concern about them moving back to Arizona and no mention of any counseling/treatment program/supports in place. I know Carley is young, but she should have some sense that there is protection there for her. It's not like the husband was the only problem here.
Because these problems weren't addressed, even with Carley's growth, I left the book in despair. I worried there was little chance she'd make it.
I also liked the relationship she developed with Toni. I would've liked to learn more about Rainer through Toni, so he'd be more developed. Overall, school and friendships were done well
The rest of this will give some hint of the ending away. So don't read on if you don't want to know.
************ Spoiler Alert **************
The legal system was a bit worrisome here. I hope it's not how the court and foster care actually work. Carley has no therapist and nobody checking in on her. She sees her mom unsupervised. Her mom is mean when they have their first reunion--showing little remorse or growth. It was disgusting, actually. The system let her be abused by her mother again, and I had no doubt it would continue if she moved back with her mother. Carley isn't given a choice about where to live. And her mom was neglectful and abusive, but there seems to be no concern about them moving back to Arizona and no mention of any counseling/treatment program/supports in place. I know Carley is young, but she should have some sense that there is protection there for her. It's not like the husband was the only problem here.
Because these problems weren't addressed, even with Carley's growth, I left the book in despair. I worried there was little chance she'd make it.
A "Great Gilly Hopkins" for the 2010s. I cried reading the last 20 pages. Strong female lead that doesn't require a love interest to keep readers interested in what will happen next.
Wonderfully written YA book. I couldn't stop my tears nearing the end of the story. I first heard of the author from my daughter's book club on her book Fish in a Tree. My daughter & I enjoyed the book very much so we had to read her other books. Would definitely recommend her books for young readers.
I liked this, but...
It was a wonderful story about a girl named Carley who ends up in foster care living with the Murphys, a family with three boys. The book had well drawn characters and situations. Sad and heartbreaking, I would definitely recommend it and can see early middle schoolers loving this book.
My issues dealt more with the details. The main character was 12 but in 8th grade? It was spring and the Red Sox were still playing, but there were basketball tryouts? The oldest son was "just a little younger than Carley" but in comparison to her seemed a lot younger. Her new best friend in this smallish town didn't know that she was a foster kid and thought that Mrs. Murphy was Carley's mom, even though it was partway through the school year already?
It was stuff like this that kept jumping out at me. Plus I thought that Carley's recollections of the night that led to her being put in foster care should have played a stronger point in the story.
I really wanted to like this book so much more. I loved Carley as a character. It was almost a great book, but regardless, it is a book that still covers an important topic that middle schoolers will want to read.
It was a wonderful story about a girl named Carley who ends up in foster care living with the Murphys, a family with three boys. The book had well drawn characters and situations. Sad and heartbreaking, I would definitely recommend it and can see early middle schoolers loving this book.
My issues dealt more with the details. The main character was 12 but in 8th grade? It was spring and the Red Sox were still playing, but there were basketball tryouts? The oldest son was "just a little younger than Carley" but in comparison to her seemed a lot younger. Her new best friend in this smallish town didn't know that she was a foster kid and thought that Mrs. Murphy was Carley's mom, even though it was partway through the school year already?
It was stuff like this that kept jumping out at me. Plus I thought that Carley's recollections of the night that led to her being put in foster care should have played a stronger point in the story.
I really wanted to like this book so much more. I loved Carley as a character. It was almost a great book, but regardless, it is a book that still covers an important topic that middle schoolers will want to read.
Great middle-grade book. Lots of great topics for building empathy.
Adoption
bully
friends
family
abuse
foster
Adoption
bully
friends
family
abuse
foster
Ugh! Heartbreaking and I couldn't put it down. Julie Murphy is my hero and Carlie is a close second! My Battle team will love this story --
5 wonderful double chocolate chip cookies.
Cover Love: Yes! I love this cover. I love the colors, and the solitude of the girl. However it all works together to not be depressing.
Why I Wanted to Read This: I first heard about this in an #ewyagc chat I participate in on Twitter. There was a Penguin tweeter on there that was raving about this book. Soon after that I was contacted by the AUTHOR HERSELF to participate in the blog tour for this book.Needless to say I was thrilled to say yes.
Read the rest of my review here.
Cover Love: Yes! I love this cover. I love the colors, and the solitude of the girl. However it all works together to not be depressing.
Why I Wanted to Read This: I first heard about this in an #ewyagc chat I participate in on Twitter. There was a Penguin tweeter on there that was raving about this book. Soon after that I was contacted by the AUTHOR HERSELF to participate in the blog tour for this book.Needless to say I was thrilled to say yes.
Read the rest of my review here.
A beautiful story that shows that life is not always easy, that sometimes it takes someone else to show you your own strength, and that love comes in unexpected ways.
As we watch Carley learn and grown and heal in the home the Murphy's, we see her own walls start to come down, at least a little. We watch her find her own strength, and learn that showing the softer sides is not a weakness.
Beautifully written for the middle school reader, along with their parents/adults. Opens up many lines of discussion for this age group as they learn to become their own person.
As we watch Carley learn and grown and heal in the home the Murphy's, we see her own walls start to come down, at least a little. We watch her find her own strength, and learn that showing the softer sides is not a weakness.
Beautifully written for the middle school reader, along with their parents/adults. Opens up many lines of discussion for this age group as they learn to become their own person.