One for the Murphys

When Carly Connors in placed in the foster care system at the age of twelve after an incident at home with her mother and step-father she is blindsided.  The Murphy family with whom she is placed is drastically different from how she grew up and although it takes a little while, she finally begins to know how it feels to belong and what it feels like to be loved.

Things take a turn when suddenly Carly must choose between her birth mother and a woman who has become more of a mom to her than anyone else.  One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is an emotional story about a foster child’s feelings of abandonment and later of hope and renewal.  This is also an inspirational story about how strangers can help someone in need.

I really enjoyed this story partly because of the subject matter – there are very few books for young people about foster care and partly because the author was able to make this story so realistic, I felt it could happen in real life.  And although parts of the story are heartbreaking, there is a layer of hope that is entwined throughout the story.

Check out the author’s website here!
Title: One for the Murphys
Author: Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Publication Date: 2012
Page Number: 256 pgs.