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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
An emotional rollercoaster of a book full of ups and downs - how Carly ended up in foster care, how difficult it is for her to trust her foster family and make a new friend at school. Saddest part-once she feels like she belongs with the Murphys, she is returned to her mother and may never see the Murphys again. I really hated the ending- if that is how the foster care system really works, you have to wonder what good does it do these children in the long run.
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5 stars
I was looking for a palate cleanser and this was just what I needed! It's written for middle school/YA but is lovely for adults as well. Carley is a new foster kid - smart, tough, closed-off, and vulnerable on the inside. The story of her stay with the Murphys made me cry... in a good way, of course.
I wanted an epilogue, but this is not that kind of book. I'll write one in my head instead.
I was looking for a palate cleanser and this was just what I needed! It's written for middle school/YA but is lovely for adults as well. Carley is a new foster kid - smart, tough, closed-off, and vulnerable on the inside. The story of her stay with the Murphys made me cry... in a good way, of course.
I wanted an epilogue, but this is not that kind of book. I'll write one in my head instead.
I'm not normally a fan of a book that makes me cry the entire time I'm reading it. But this was a perfect book. It is geared towards junior high readers but I loved it just the same. To imagine, it was Hunt's first work!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
genre: realistic
summary: After a TERRIBLE night with her mother and her mother's new husband. Carley wakes up in the hospital. She and her mother have been horribly beaten. With her mother still in the hospital and questions needing to be answered, Carley is sent to live in a foster home, the home of the Murphys. The Murphy's are three boys, a firefighter dad, and an almost too perfect mom. Carley is suspicious and reserved. But as time goes by her cold, hard outer shell is slowly broken the need/adoration of the two younger Murphy boys and by the relentless determination of Mrs. Murphy. Carley begins to realize that life she's always wanted and the person she wants to be...one of the Murphy's but just as this happens her mother steps back into her life.
notes:
for kids who like: Gilly Hopkins, Small as an Elephant, the Secret Hum of a Daisy
age group: age 11+
my review: A good story. Great characterization with Carley. Love Tor the sarcastic friend. All in all a good read for middle grade kids that are into the sad/orphan/foster genre.
summary: After a TERRIBLE night with her mother and her mother's new husband. Carley wakes up in the hospital. She and her mother have been horribly beaten. With her mother still in the hospital and questions needing to be answered, Carley is sent to live in a foster home, the home of the Murphys. The Murphy's are three boys, a firefighter dad, and an almost too perfect mom. Carley is suspicious and reserved. But as time goes by her cold, hard outer shell is slowly broken the need/adoration of the two younger Murphy boys and by the relentless determination of Mrs. Murphy. Carley begins to realize that life she's always wanted and the person she wants to be...one of the Murphy's but just as this happens her mother steps back into her life.
notes:
for kids who like: Gilly Hopkins, Small as an Elephant, the Secret Hum of a Daisy
age group: age 11+
my review: A good story. Great characterization with Carley. Love Tor the sarcastic friend. All in all a good read for middle grade kids that are into the sad/orphan/foster genre.