Hunt, Lynda Mullaly.
ONE FOR THE MURPHYS
New York : Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012
IL 5-8, RL 3.5
ISBN 0399256156

(3 booktalks)

Booktalk #1

Carly Connors is a foster child who has been placed in a family of three boys, one of whom, Daniel, closest in age to her, (12), is resentful of the attention she will take from his mother. The Murphys seem to be one of those “perfect” families.  Mrs. Murphy is a very tuned-in mother with boundless love to give. What’s not to like about this placement?

 Although welcomed by the younger brothers Adam and Michael Eric especially, Carley knows she could never belong in their world. It is too happy family perfect.  Having been blindsided by a placement in a foster home, one in CT and not LA where she was used to living. Carly uses her street smart sense and puts up a fortress of protection for her emotional self. “Be Someone’s Hero” is the engraved sign hanging over the bed in her room at the Murphy’s.  There are several quiet heroes and even superheroes in this debut novel and the ending will leave the reader twisting in two directions, just like Carley.  Don’t miss the significance of the endpapers after you finish this read; I want to go, I want to go, I want to go, I want to go, I want to ….  (Booktalk written by Kathleen Fencil, GSF Committee  Bedford Middle School)

Booktalk #2

“But most of all, I'll remember how she loved me. I turn away, knowing that I might never get to see Julie Murphy again. But I will know her for the rest of my life.” Carley Connors suddenly gets placed in foster care, where the Murphys take her in as their own, especially the mom Julie. Little by little, Carley becomes attached to their three little boys. And when her mother wants her back, Carley has to let go of the only thing that’s ever been consistent in her life. Carley will have to learn the truth about why she was originally put in foster care, and she will be forced to look at life in a brand new way.  One for the Murphys is a moving story full of grief, sadness, and love. You will feel like you’re with Carley the whole way through. This well-written book will open your eyes about foster care and the many children placed in it every day.  (South Carolina Junior Book Award nominee 2015,  Prepared by: Cameron Johnson, Lugoff Elgin Middle School, cameronandmilo@gmail.com )

Booktalk #3

Carley has grown up in Las Vegas with her mother and has never known a stable family life.  That is until she ends up with a foster family after her new stepfather puts her and her mother in the hospital.  Can the Murphys show Carley what forgiveness, love, and family really mean before she destroys herself or them?  Will Carley choose to stay with the Murphys or go back with her mother?  Read this touching, emotional, realistic fiction story to find out.  (Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award, 2015)

Mothers and daughters -- Fiction.

Stepfathers -- Fiction.

Family problems -- Fiction.

Family life -- Connecticut -- Fiction.

Connecticut -- Fiction.