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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
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.
So good to read this perspective.... Love that it referenced Wicked
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse
It didn't end the way I thought it would - the way I thought I wanted it to...but it ended the way it should. And it was right.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
When she winds up in the hospital, Carley thinks her life can't get any worse. But then she is taken from her mother and placed in foster care with the uber-perfect Murphy family and she realizes...they can. Learning to maneuver in this new environment, Carley realizes that things aren't so bad. In fact, she finds out that change can be good and that she has heroes looking out for her.
I love this book. I am reading it with my 5th grade reading club (I am a librarian), and I am so happy we chose it. I cried through the last few chapters, which is a huge endorsement from me.
I recommend this first grades 5 and up.
I love this book. I am reading it with my 5th grade reading club (I am a librarian), and I am so happy we chose it. I cried through the last few chapters, which is a huge endorsement from me.
I recommend this first grades 5 and up.
I hadn't heard of this book until a friend recommended it to me, and I'm so very glad she did. I needed to read this book. The longer I teach the more I realize what a sheltered life I've led, and books like this help me begin to understand a bit better what lives other people lead. What we see on the outside isn't always what's going on on the inside, and sometimes we need to listen in a different way. One for the Murphys will definitely be a part of my classroom book collection.
Update: I've read this at least 3 times now, and I always find something new when I read it.
First read: July 2014
Re-read: December 2015, October 2023
Update: I've read this at least 3 times now, and I always find something new when I read it.
First read: July 2014
Re-read: December 2015, October 2023
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Was a little too fast for me. I wouldn't have minded a couple more chapters.
The ending also didn’t really make sense for me.
The ending also didn’t really make sense for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse