Publisher: Penguin Group for Young Readers
Publish Date: May 10th, 2012
Source: Purchased
Goodreads
Rating: 4/5 Foster Kids
Synopsis: 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.
-Goodreads
Review: I bought this book not realizing it was a middle grade story, but I’m so glad I did. One for the Murphys tells the story of Carley, who after a horrible night with her mother and step father is put into the foster care system and brought to the Murphy family, who have three boys and have never tried fostering before.
The Murphy family has a great dynamic, especially as some of them are more enthusiastic than others about bringing Carley into their home. While at first they seem way too perfect for Carley’s taste, they aren’t and consistently come across as a real family who is still growing into itself. That being said, Carley has been through a lot and really needed this family to show her all of the great things family life has to offer.
Mrs. Murphy is such a great character and a great example of the things that unconditional love is capable of. She always gives the people she cares about 100% of her effort and if you aren’t exactly considered a middle grade reader anymore, your heart will go out to her through this whole story.
By the end of this story, as I was wiping my eyes and trying to pull myself together, I knew I should really start reading more middle grade. One for the Murphys is a really touching story about finding your place within your own family, which is not always an easy thing to do. This is my favorite middle grade read of 2012.
Buy One for the Murphys
@Amazon (US) @Amazon (CAN) @The Book Depository
Second Opinions:
@The Story Siren
@A Good Addiction
@Word Spelunking
I don’t think I would have guessed that this was a middle grade book from the cover either! I really want to read this book, as becoming Foster Parents and adopting through the state has been something Aaron and I have been considering for some time.
Great story, even I want to read it once. Thanx for posting this blog.
Propylene Glycol