Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
Positives:
1) I liked the main character a lot, and I loved the little boys.
2) A portrayal of the foster-care system that isn't all about abuse, and that also is directed towards reuniting parent's and children.
3) It deals with the challenges of loving when you may or definitely will not be a "forever family" to them, from both a foster family and a foster child's perspective.
Negatives:
1) I didn't like that the foster family seemed to jump into it in a very unprepared and spontaneous way, and wasn't united in the effort. It takes months or years of paperwork, checks, interviews etc to become a foster family. You definitely can't just walk into an office, overhear a conversation and say "I'll take that kid"
2) I felt not enough time was spent developing a reconciliation with the birth mom - it was a little abrupt and forced.
1) I liked the main character a lot, and I loved the little boys.
2) A portrayal of the foster-care system that isn't all about abuse, and that also is directed towards reuniting parent's and children.
3) It deals with the challenges of loving when you may or definitely will not be a "forever family" to them, from both a foster family and a foster child's perspective.
Negatives:
1) I didn't like that the foster family seemed to jump into it in a very unprepared and spontaneous way, and wasn't united in the effort. It takes months or years of paperwork, checks, interviews etc to become a foster family. You definitely can't just walk into an office, overhear a conversation and say "I'll take that kid"
2) I felt not enough time was spent developing a reconciliation with the birth mom - it was a little abrupt and forced.
I LOVED it!What a heartwarming story.I couldn't put it down.
A book with heart and spunk. If you don't cry a little, you're heartless.
Loved this book. Well written and amazing characters.
Carley has just been thrown into the foster system. She is with her first family, the Murphys, and is going through a very typical, angry adjustment period.
Hunt has done a fantastic job with the character of Carley. Your heart absolutely breaks for her. You want to reach through the book and put your arms around her. The other character you fall in love with is Mrs. Murphy. The kindness and understanding she shows to Carley is one you want to aspire towards.
Kids will love this story - there is so much to talk about and share!
My favorite quote is when Carley is talking to the oldest Murphy son about what courage is. His response,
"Not being afraid of something."
Carley responds, "No! It's being afraid and doing it anyway."
Love it.
My second favorite quote, "I remember how my mom used to say we were the same. That the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I think, now, that although the apple can come from the tree, it can land on the ground and roll down a hill and end up in a totally different place."
Carley has just been thrown into the foster system. She is with her first family, the Murphys, and is going through a very typical, angry adjustment period.
Hunt has done a fantastic job with the character of Carley. Your heart absolutely breaks for her. You want to reach through the book and put your arms around her. The other character you fall in love with is Mrs. Murphy. The kindness and understanding she shows to Carley is one you want to aspire towards.
Kids will love this story - there is so much to talk about and share!
My favorite quote is when Carley is talking to the oldest Murphy son about what courage is. His response,
"Not being afraid of something."
Carley responds, "No! It's being afraid and doing it anyway."
Love it.
My second favorite quote, "I remember how my mom used to say we were the same. That the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I think, now, that although the apple can come from the tree, it can land on the ground and roll down a hill and end up in a totally different place."
Review originally posted on Heise Reads & Recommends
A heart-breaking and heart-warming debut book from Lynda Mullaly Hunt, ONE FOR THE MURPHYS is a beautiful story of family perfect for middle grade readers (and adults!). It's about hope and unsureness and loss and love and friendship and caring and happiness and sadness and possibility and belonging and what it really means to be family. Carley and Toni and the Murphys are all a fantastic cast of characters who I just wanted to hang out with and hug. Adore Michael Eric and Adam - there's something about well-drawn brothers in books that always gets to me (probably because I have two of my own). And the way in which this story is written, with each chapter being its own kind of vignette of something that happens after Carley is sent to be fostered by the Murphys, is astounding in its ability to draw the reader into the story emotionally. The chapters are short and the whole story takes place over 80 days, but it is utterly impactful. One of the strongest themes throughout the book is the idea of an everyday person being a hero in someone's life. The ways in which you can be a hero to someone else are endless, and it's a gentle call to arms to do so. I love how this is prevalent in the book, but in a non-preachy kind of way.
Although I don't know from personal experience, what left an impression was how real and honest the emotions and feelings of this character felt for what I imagine a child in foster care would be going through. I adored this story, and the Carley, from the very start and my heart warmed and broke along with her as she traveled this journey of self-discovery and acceptance and finding strength and love. I want to hand this book off to every teacher and parent I know and I imagine there will be so many students for whom this type of story will resonate. Although Carley is in 8th grade, this book can definitely be read younger as well. Who doesn't want a family to love and take care of them? If you haven't yet read ONE FOR THE MURPHYS, I recommend you do yourself a favor and get to it soon.
I look forward to seeing what Lynda Mullaly Hunt will write next, and according to her website, her next middle grade book will be ALPHABET SOUP releasing in spring 2014. I'll definitely be reading that one after enjoying ONE FOR THE MURPHYS so much.
A heart-breaking and heart-warming debut book from Lynda Mullaly Hunt, ONE FOR THE MURPHYS is a beautiful story of family perfect for middle grade readers (and adults!). It's about hope and unsureness and loss and love and friendship and caring and happiness and sadness and possibility and belonging and what it really means to be family. Carley and Toni and the Murphys are all a fantastic cast of characters who I just wanted to hang out with and hug. Adore Michael Eric and Adam - there's something about well-drawn brothers in books that always gets to me (probably because I have two of my own). And the way in which this story is written, with each chapter being its own kind of vignette of something that happens after Carley is sent to be fostered by the Murphys, is astounding in its ability to draw the reader into the story emotionally. The chapters are short and the whole story takes place over 80 days, but it is utterly impactful. One of the strongest themes throughout the book is the idea of an everyday person being a hero in someone's life. The ways in which you can be a hero to someone else are endless, and it's a gentle call to arms to do so. I love how this is prevalent in the book, but in a non-preachy kind of way.
Although I don't know from personal experience, what left an impression was how real and honest the emotions and feelings of this character felt for what I imagine a child in foster care would be going through. I adored this story, and the Carley, from the very start and my heart warmed and broke along with her as she traveled this journey of self-discovery and acceptance and finding strength and love. I want to hand this book off to every teacher and parent I know and I imagine there will be so many students for whom this type of story will resonate. Although Carley is in 8th grade, this book can definitely be read younger as well. Who doesn't want a family to love and take care of them? If you haven't yet read ONE FOR THE MURPHYS, I recommend you do yourself a favor and get to it soon.
I look forward to seeing what Lynda Mullaly Hunt will write next, and according to her website, her next middle grade book will be ALPHABET SOUP releasing in spring 2014. I'll definitely be reading that one after enjoying ONE FOR THE MURPHYS so much.
Each year my book club reads a children's book. This year, based on my 12 yr old daughter's glowing recommendation, we read "One for the Murphys" and I am so glad we did. What an absolutely heartwarming book. I immediately became attached to Carley and can't tell you how many times my eyes filled with tears throughout. I think her story will stick with me for quite awhile.
This is a book that could be given 10 stars on a 5 star rating scale. So good.
Good clean upper elementary, middle school appropriate book. Im 28 and enjoyed it though. Ending made me cry, and left me wanting more... in a good way. Pretty good book.
Read this one based on recommendation of my 6th grade daughter. I loved it.
I read this book because the little girl I nanny asked me to and it was amazing. An easy read and it definitely had me tearing up at parts.