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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I had to read this book for a book club and honestly, at first, I wasn't that excited. I am a huge fantasy fan and didn't usually stray from that genre. But after reading this book I fell in love with the characters (especially Toni!) and was crying at the end. This book has really great humor and you will want Carley to be your best friend! Absolutely loved it!
Carley is a really interesting character. Up until she moves in with the Murphy's, she is a tough kid who has raised herself. She has many barriers and uses attitude to hide her feelings. Her relationship with Mrs. Murphy really helps her to see herself differently, as Mrs. Murphy teaches her that she is in charge of her destiny.
I didn't care for the ending of this, because it was bittersweet, but I'm sure it is a very real portrayal of what often happens to foster children. This is a very realistic book, and some of it may be too graphic. I had a hard time reading some parts, so I figure not all middle grade students could handle this. Even though the main character is 12, there are a lot of hard lines in this book. However, it is very well written. I think I would read more by this author.
I didn't care for the ending of this, because it was bittersweet, but I'm sure it is a very real portrayal of what often happens to foster children. This is a very realistic book, and some of it may be too graphic. I had a hard time reading some parts, so I figure not all middle grade students could handle this. Even though the main character is 12, there are a lot of hard lines in this book. However, it is very well written. I think I would read more by this author.
I absolutely loved this book.
http://rainydayreadingreviews.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-for-murphys-by-lynda-mullaly-hunt.html
http://rainydayreadingreviews.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-for-murphys-by-lynda-mullaly-hunt.html
Have Kleenex nearby for the end! A great, heartfelt YA book.
As I read, I had a few students in mind who would love this easy, touching story.
As someone who has worked with kids for years and who went through the foster license process, Carley's experience felt completely authentic. I appreciated that the ending wasn't all puppies and rainbows, but still satisfying. A beautifully written middle grade novel that packs an emotional punch.
As a book that deals with a kid going into the foster care system this was a really well written book that tugs at the heart strings. Carley is put into foster care after her mother is hospitalized. She's a tough kid having grown up in Las Vegas. She ends up in the Murphy household, where she has 3 foster brothers and a fireman foster dad. She portrays a tough girl exterior in order to protect her heart. The characters in this book stick with you long after the book ends.
I think only one other person on Goodreads has rated this lower than 5 stars so far. I bought this book because it has been praised recently on Twitter for being a great middle grade book by popular teachers like, Penny Kittle. Notice though, that everyone who reviewed it is also an adult, and ultimately it's whether my students take to it, that will determine whether I change my opinion on this book.
Two things in particular upset me:
1. The Red Sox Nation Brainwashing.
I live in Cambridge MA, but usually when I travel I say I'm from Boston. I usually have to defend this lovely city because the stereotype is that everyone says"wicked" all the time and can only talk about sports (Affleck and Damon are responsible for this too). Mr. Murphy is the worst Boston Red Sox fan stereotype. Really, he has to wear a Dropkick Murphy's t-shirt when he watches the Red Sox games?? I get that the author is probably a big fan of the Red Sox but it annoyed me.
2. Flat characters (kinda related to reason #1)
Even the protagonist, Carley Connors, is too predictable in her character development. She goes through something terrible but I did not feel any emotional resonance. The ending also had an obvious "this is what it all means" message that again, annoyed me.
Two things in particular upset me:
1. The Red Sox Nation Brainwashing.
I live in Cambridge MA, but usually when I travel I say I'm from Boston. I usually have to defend this lovely city because the stereotype is that everyone says"wicked" all the time and can only talk about sports (Affleck and Damon are responsible for this too). Mr. Murphy is the worst Boston Red Sox fan stereotype. Really, he has to wear a Dropkick Murphy's t-shirt when he watches the Red Sox games?? I get that the author is probably a big fan of the Red Sox but it annoyed me.
2. Flat characters (kinda related to reason #1)
Even the protagonist, Carley Connors, is too predictable in her character development. She goes through something terrible but I did not feel any emotional resonance. The ending also had an obvious "this is what it all means" message that again, annoyed me.
