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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
4.5 - It took me a while to get into the story and to get a read on the main character. I'm glad I stuck with it, though. Well worth the time.
Oh boy. If you want a good cry then this is the book you need. It’s a fairly simple story plot wise, but the details and the development involved in this story had me finishing it in less than a day.
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
emotional
sad
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
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I adore this story! Wish there was a sequel or a bit more to the ending, but otherwise I loved it!
emotional
medium-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
Really sweet, heartwarming book about Carley, a girl placed in foster care after a violent incident involving her stepfather. I think kids will relate to and like this book.
I realize people love this book, and that I'm going to sound like a jerk for not liking it. One for the Murphys has its heart in the right place. I even teared up at the end, because, yes, I am human.
But.
I don't buy it.
My children were adopted from traumatic backgrounds, and it is NOT THIS EASY. Carly is too put together, too functional, and everything is too pat. Her worst behavior is ordering too many dinner rolls and running away for a few hours. We'd consider that a pretty normal day at my house. Also, she efficiently wins over Mr. Murphy, Danny, and Toni--everyone she wants to, basically. It is just not that simple--"Oh, she just needs love and a good example, and she'll be fine." Trauma hard-wires maladaptive behavior, and it takes lots of time and work to change the brain's functionality.
Also, the dialogue sounded like something I'd write, from my middle aged mom-ness. Hunt, like me, may spend time around teenagers and kids, but she does not have the gift of capturing how they really sound. Think S.E. Hinton, think Matt de la Peña, think Beverly Cleary, think Isabel Quintero. They all captured the way kids talk to each other for real.
I do give Hunt credit for how she resolves the story. I really would've been pissed if she'd taken the easy way out.
But.
I don't buy it.
My children were adopted from traumatic backgrounds, and it is NOT THIS EASY. Carly is too put together, too functional, and everything is too pat. Her worst behavior is ordering too many dinner rolls and running away for a few hours. We'd consider that a pretty normal day at my house. Also, she efficiently wins over Mr. Murphy, Danny, and Toni--everyone she wants to, basically. It is just not that simple--"Oh, she just needs love and a good example, and she'll be fine." Trauma hard-wires maladaptive behavior, and it takes lots of time and work to change the brain's functionality.
Also, the dialogue sounded like something I'd write, from my middle aged mom-ness. Hunt, like me, may spend time around teenagers and kids, but she does not have the gift of capturing how they really sound. Think S.E. Hinton, think Matt de la Peña, think Beverly Cleary, think Isabel Quintero. They all captured the way kids talk to each other for real.
I do give Hunt credit for how she resolves the story. I really would've been pissed if she'd taken the easy way out.
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced