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A review by dotorsojak
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
3.0
3 stars
I don’t read middle-school, YA books very often, so it’s a little difficult to assess this fairly. Still, I like the book overall. It’s bit sentimental, a bit of a tear-jerker, but it also includes lots of authentic touches.
Carley, the 8th grade first person narrator, is a relatable, interesting young girl who has a penchant for irony and word-play. She seems to be a no-nonsense person, but gradually Hunt (LMH) reveals to us that she is actually starved for love and affection. What pleased me most about the book were the secondary characters, though everyone’s attitude towards Carley was a little too heartwarming for my taste. Even Daniel, the oldest of her foster brothers and at first a suspicious enemy, comes to cheer for her in the end.
My favorite supporting player was the frenemy, Toni. Indeed the development of the Carley/Toni friendship is the most affecting and believable part of the book. I suspect that LMH wants some of her readers (i.e. adults reading the novel) to identify with adult character Julia Murphy, but “Mrs. Murphy” is just too perfect and understanding to be true. Her husband, the foster dad, though not given much to do other than watch Red Sox games, is a more believable character. I also really liked the teacher character, Mr. Rueben, though this may just be a function of my having been a teacher myself.
The book is predictable in lots of ways—we quickly figure out that Toni is going to turn out to be the BFF—but the ending is not totally obvious. Of course if you know anything at all about the foster-care system, then there is only one way the book can end. However, much depends on how LMH will portray Carley’s biological mother. If she is to be a total villain, then one outcome, if not, then another. Once you get to the last pages of the book, there are three or four spots where LMH could have ended. Ultimately, she keeps going and I don’t think the book is stronger because of her inclination to tie up loose ends. I’m sure I’m not spoiling anything by saying the novel is a major tear-jerker.
Ultimately, this is a book about love and how one can and should express that love. It has a nice message, but part of that message is that love is not always sweetness and light. Also sometimes one has to give up things, even love.
I don’t read middle-school, YA books very often, so it’s a little difficult to assess this fairly. Still, I like the book overall. It’s bit sentimental, a bit of a tear-jerker, but it also includes lots of authentic touches.
Carley, the 8th grade first person narrator, is a relatable, interesting young girl who has a penchant for irony and word-play. She seems to be a no-nonsense person, but gradually Hunt (LMH) reveals to us that she is actually starved for love and affection. What pleased me most about the book were the secondary characters, though everyone’s attitude towards Carley was a little too heartwarming for my taste. Even Daniel, the oldest of her foster brothers and at first a suspicious enemy, comes to cheer for her in the end.
My favorite supporting player was the frenemy, Toni. Indeed the development of the Carley/Toni friendship is the most affecting and believable part of the book. I suspect that LMH wants some of her readers (i.e. adults reading the novel) to identify with adult character Julia Murphy, but “Mrs. Murphy” is just too perfect and understanding to be true. Her husband, the foster dad, though not given much to do other than watch Red Sox games, is a more believable character. I also really liked the teacher character, Mr. Rueben, though this may just be a function of my having been a teacher myself.
The book is predictable in lots of ways—we quickly figure out that Toni is going to turn out to be the BFF—but the ending is not totally obvious. Of course if you know anything at all about the foster-care system, then there is only one way the book can end. However, much depends on how LMH will portray Carley’s biological mother. If she is to be a total villain, then one outcome, if not, then another. Once you get to the last pages of the book, there are three or four spots where LMH could have ended. Ultimately, she keeps going and I don’t think the book is stronger because of her inclination to tie up loose ends. I’m sure I’m not spoiling anything by saying the novel is a major tear-jerker.
Ultimately, this is a book about love and how one can and should express that love. It has a nice message, but part of that message is that love is not always sweetness and light. Also sometimes one has to give up things, even love.