One for the Murphys
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4.7, 314 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
From the author of the New York Times bestselling novel Fish in a Tree!
Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she's blindsided. This loving, bustling family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed, and she feels like an alien in their cookie-cutter-perfect household. Despite her resistance, the Murphys eventually show her what it feels like to belong--until her mother wants her back and Carley has to decide where and how to live. She's not really a Murphy, but the gifts they've given her have opened up a new future.
"Hunt's writing is fearless and One For The Murphys is a story that is at once compassionate, thought-provoking and beautifully told. From the first page, I was drawn into Carley's story. She is a character not to be missed or forgotten." —Jacqueline Woodson, National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming
Winner of the Tassy Walden Award for New Voice in Children's Literature
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
When 12-year-old Carley Conners is put into foster care, she is angry and distrustful of the picture-perfect Murphy family. Carley's mother is in the hospital after a savage beating by Carley's stepfather, and while Carley has forgotten some details of that night, she partly blames herself for what happened. Mrs. Murphy works hard to gain Carley's trust, and Carley comes to love her foster mother deeply. Life with the Murphys contrasts with Carley's old life of poverty with a mother who often dismantled her confidence. At times melodramatic and perhaps overly emotionally manipulative, Hunt's debut novel is nothing if not a tearjerker scenes at home with the Murphy family, as well as those in which Carley builds a tentative friendship at school, are undeniably affecting. Hunt's writing is strong and her characters well-developed and believable; if Carley's narration and frequent quips sometimes read as too polished, readers will still be drawn into this story of a girl's struggle against the ingrained belief that she is undeserving of kindness and generosity. Ages 10 up.
Customer Reviews
Hope Beyond Hope
Lynda Hunt presents a story that will have readers on their toes, filled with hope and then mixed with sorrow. Hunt does an incredible job of examining the tough wound of childhood trauma, and the ache and emptiness it can cause within a soul. Her picture of Carley is painted beautifully, and by the end of the book the reader will find themselves a part of Carley’s, and the Murphy’s, story. We will all wish we could be “One for the Murphy’s” in the end. Overall, I recommend this book. To every teacher, future and present. To every mother. To every person that may can relate to Carley’s story. This story will bring tears - but it will also bring healing, and in the end, you will find yourself hoping beyond hope - and knowing, through Hunt’s wonderful message, that you can make it passed any storm. Any trial. And any pain. And that you choose your own destiny.
I hope you enjoy it
I like this book a lot. When I was at least eight I heard about this book but it was always taken from my schools library. People may have loved it.
I LOVE THIS BOOK. I got it from Barnes and Noble Bookstore and I have always enjoyed reading it.
Carley Connors is placed in a foster home where she meets the Murphy family, Adam, Micheal Eric, and Daniel. Mrs. Murphy tried to take care of Carley, but she misses her mom at the family. She always thinks of stuff when she’s away.
This story takes us away from Carley. This book reminds me of the book ‘Pictures of Hollis Woods”
Thank you Author for writing this book :)
I loved it and you should too.
😭 I cried like crazy at the end, this is serious 😭
All of this is real. I read it and love it. :)
Great read!
I’ve been intrigued with this one, and it is definitely one of the best stories in my library of great titles. SPOILER ALERT: the ending really gets your tears following 😭😭
