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256
Novel • Fiction
•
Realistic Fiction•
Children`s LiteratureConnecticut • Contemporary
•
Love•
Hate & Anger•
Parenting•
Relationships2012
Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Group for Young Readers (USA)
Middle grade
10-14 years
520L
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, published in 2012, follows Carley Connors, a 12-year-old girl placed in foster care after her mother is hospitalized due to domestic abuse. Carley struggles with feelings of betrayal and mistrust as she adjusts to the loving Murphy family. Her experiences with the Murphys help her understand the complexities of family relationships and build resilience. This book includes incidents of domestic abuse.
Emotional
Heartwarming
Inspirational
Bittersweet
Hopeful
37,932 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Lynda Mullaly Hunt’s One for the Murphys has been widely praised for its heartfelt exploration of foster care and resilience. Readers appreciate its emotional depth and relatable characters, especially the protagonist, Carley. Criticisms include some predictable plot points and occasional sentimentality. Overall, it is considered a touching and thought-provoking middle-grade novel.
Readers who enjoyed Wonder by R.J. Palacio or Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt will find One for the Murphys compelling. Ideal for middle-grade audiences, this novel appeals to those who appreciate stories about resilience and the transformative power of kindness in the face of adversity.
37,932 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
A compassionate and stable foster mother who cares for Carley and her own three sons, teaching Carley about love and kindness through her actions.
Initially a bully to Carley, she later becomes Carley’s best friend and shares her love for drama and Broadway, forming a strong bond through shared experiences.
The oldest Murphy brother who initially feels threatened by Carley but later accepts her as a friend after they bond over basketball.
The youngest Murphy brothers who quickly form a bond with Carley over superhero games and look up to her as a big sister figure.
A complex and tough figure who raised Carley in a challenging environment and whose relationship with Carley is explored throughout the story.
256
Novel • Fiction
•
Realistic Fiction•
Children`s LiteratureConnecticut • Contemporary
•
Love•
Hate & Anger•
Parenting•
Relationships2012
Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Group for Young Readers (USA)
Middle grade
10-14 years
520L
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