Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
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.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. I almost finished it in one day (which says a lot for me...I'm a slow reader). The book is about an 8th grade girl, Carley, who becomes a foster child after being abused by her step-father. She goes to live with the Murphy family...a loving family with a mom, dad, and three sons. The story is about Carley's adjustment to life in a loving home...learning to allow people to love her and take care of her. The writing was excellent, especially the dialog. The story was believable and characters so real I wish I knew them personally. There is nothing inappropriate in this book, except that the subject matter would be hard for children who don't know about abuse and the foster care system. Carley does make a comment once that she wished her mom had been married to her dad (she never knew her real father). While this book wouldn't be classified as Christian fiction, it certainly isn't "not" Christian. Carley struggles with her relationship with God and faith is displayed simply in the Murphy family. The whole book is a story of redemption. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I don't know when I'd give it to my daughter to read...maybe when she's 12 or 13? An excellent book by Lynda Mullaly Hunt...I can't wait to read her next one!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
So sad but so good, cry worthy
تجربه ی بسیار خوشایـندی بود، مخصوصا به عنوان کتاب کودک و نوجوان. یک داستان دوست داشتنی با روایـتی روان و طنز آمیز که از نظر احساسی تاثیر عمیقی روی مخاطب میذاره. ترجمه می تونست خیلی بهتر باشه و یه جاهایی بیش از اندازه تحت الفظی بود و شخصیت پردازی پدر خانواده یعنی آقای مورفی به نظر می رسید که کمی بیشتر جای کار داره، با این حال کتاب خوبی بود و حال و هوای خیلی متفاوتـی با کتاب های کودک دیگه داشت
4.5 stars
This is a clean children's book that explores many mature topics. It's a novel that readers of all ages will be able to learn from and enjoy.
Carley Connors goes into a foster home, and learns what love really is (hint: not her mother's love). She also learns to make peace with the mother she was given
This story was both heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once.
Similar reads:
[b:Louisiana's Way Home|39217633|Louisiana's Way Home|Kate DiCamillo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522256710l/39217633._SX50_.jpg|60750180]
[b:Because of Mr. Terupt|7783920|Because of Mr. Terupt (Mr. Terupt, #1)|Rob Buyea|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320456974l/7783920._SY75_.jpg|10714283]
[b:Tuck Everlasting|84981|Tuck Everlasting|Natalie Babbitt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1661030663l/84981._SY75_.jpg|1955922]
Content:
Violence: abuse, abandonment and lack of love
Afterwards, Carley’s mother is in the hospital for months, and Carley is put in foster care in Murphys’ house.
Halfway through the book a police officer comes to interrogate her about the event. Mrs. Murphy makes him leave.
Religion: The Murphys say grace before meals. Mrs. Murphy gives the children presents for Easter. Xmas is mentioned. Once, the youngest Murphy’s child says grace, thanking and ending with a few requests, then adds, “If you can't or you're busy and stuff, then I'll ask Santa. Amen. "
Romance: Carley mentions once that her mom wasn't married to her dad. Late one night she witnesses Mr. And Mrs. Murphy in each others’ embrace, and decides that this what real love looks like.
Popular Culture: Many mentions of the Broadway show Wicked, which is Carley’s best friend’s favorite show, though Carley has never seen it. There are many discussion about characters and songs in the show. The Little Mermaid and the song Kiss the Girl is also mentioned many times since it is special to Carley and her mother.
Other: Carley’s mom is mentioned to gamble and drink. Carley feels like she often puts other people and their needs before Carley's. There are a few bathroom jokes from the younger Murphy kids.
This is a clean children's book that explores many mature topics. It's a novel that readers of all ages will be able to learn from and enjoy.
Carley Connors goes into a foster home, and learns what love really is (hint: not her mother's love). She also learns to make peace with the mother she was given
Spoiler
because, unlike what Carley remembers, her mother didn't try to kill her. She tried to save her life.This story was both heartbreaking and heartwarming all at once.
Similar reads:
[b:Louisiana's Way Home|39217633|Louisiana's Way Home|Kate DiCamillo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522256710l/39217633._SX50_.jpg|60750180]
[b:Because of Mr. Terupt|7783920|Because of Mr. Terupt (Mr. Terupt, #1)|Rob Buyea|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1320456974l/7783920._SY75_.jpg|10714283]
[b:Tuck Everlasting|84981|Tuck Everlasting|Natalie Babbitt|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1661030663l/84981._SY75_.jpg|1955922]
Content:
Violence: abuse, abandonment and lack of love
Spoiler
Carley has an abusive stepfather. He often hit her mother. She is sure that her mother helped him try to kill her. Only at the end of the novel does she remember that once her mother realized what Dennis was doing, she tried to protect her. They were both nearly killed. This scene is replayed over and over during the novel, and Carley remembers more and more of what really happened that night.Afterwards, Carley’s mother is in the hospital for months, and Carley is put in foster care in Murphys’ house.
Halfway through the book a police officer comes to interrogate her about the event. Mrs. Murphy makes him leave.
Religion: The Murphys say grace before meals. Mrs. Murphy gives the children presents for Easter. Xmas is mentioned. Once, the youngest Murphy’s child says grace, thanking and ending with a few requests, then adds, “If you can't or you're busy and stuff, then I'll ask Santa. Amen. "
Romance: Carley mentions once that her mom wasn't married to her dad. Late one night she witnesses Mr. And Mrs. Murphy in each others’ embrace, and decides that this what real love looks like.
Popular Culture: Many mentions of the Broadway show Wicked, which is Carley’s best friend’s favorite show, though Carley has never seen it. There are many discussion about characters and songs in the show. The Little Mermaid and the song Kiss the Girl is also mentioned many times since it is special to Carley and her mother.
Other: Carley’s mom is mentioned to gamble and drink. Carley feels like she often puts other people and their needs before Carley's. There are a few bathroom jokes from the younger Murphy kids.
I thought this book was powerful - it really got you into the mind of 12 year old Carley, a foster child, battling the struggle between bio. mom getting better and having to go back and live with her after many struggles and her fabulous foster family that she gladly would live with forever. I am not sure I have read a book that so clearly went through these conflicting emotions - it was such great insight from the mind of a 12 year old. The story was wonderful - heart-warming, funny, and oh so true!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A great first read for kids who love realistic fiction. I am putting this on my Newbery shortlist. A funny and touching first novel. This author is clearly one to watch.