I’ve seen One for the Murphys at Barnes & Noble dozens of times, but finally decided to get it yesterday, especially because a regular commenter on For the Bookish (hi, Brooke!) said it was really good. And she was definitely right. In fact, One for the Murphys was even better than I was expecting!
After Carley’s stepfather takes quite a beating to her and her mother, Carley ends up in foster care while her mother is regaining her strength. Through thick and thin, the Murphy family loves Carley and shows her what a family is. I loved the family dynamic in this book. Although at first Carley thinks the Murphys are, they’re not a perfect family. But everyone has their place and loves each other. Carley even teaches the Murphys about family, too.
I thought that One for the Murphys would be more predictable than it was. In fact, almost everything in this book came at a complete surprise for me. But I wasn’t disappointed at all. Nothing ended or turned out exactly like I had hoped, but in a way, it turned out even better.
I would have liked the book to be even longer (but I’d say that about any of my 5-star reviews!) I liked that Carley met some friends at the school she was going to while she was with the Murphys, but I think I would have liked to have known a little more what her life with her mother was like.
Lynda Mullay Hunt did a really great job at changing my opinions about both Carley and Mrs. Murphy – and even Carley’s real mom! In the beginning, Carley didn’t want to accept Mrs. Murphy because she was the mother she never had. I was completely on board with Carley, because she if I were in her position, Mrs. Murphy would bug me, too. But then I was thinking, “Mrs. Murphy is doing everything she possibly can to open up her home and her heart to Carley, and Carley keeps shutting her down. How can she be so kind??” So I was sad for both of them… but then, in the end, there was a sudden twist that made perfect sense!
I also hated Carley’s mom with a passion.
Overall, I would totally read this book again, in a heartbeat. It’s already been added to my favorites shelf!
5 stars!
I know a couple of you read One for the Murphys – what did you think of it? If you haven’t, do you want to?
I can’t believe you gave me a shout out! I’m blushing so bad. I remember really likeing that book. I habent read it in a long time but I rememebr mostly what happened. I agree on all the points you made. I need to own this book. I might put it on my birthday list. I love the gif you used to lol.
its 6:30 am where I live. I hardly slept at all last. You could say I am a tiny bit nervous :p. I have a play audition today. Its for the little mermaid. I’m hoping for the role of one of the sisters.or something good( I talk about it more in my letter).
Haha. 🙂 I’m so glad you recommended this book to me!!
You should! I want to own a lot of books I haven’t read. I want to start borrowing more books from the library and then buying the ones I LOVE. There are some books I’ve bought, and then they’re not really favorites.
I’m sure you’ll do amazing! I’ve never been in a play (I think I would be too nervous to be on stage, lol), but my friend is Belle in Beauty and the Beast this year. I think it would be cool to be on the crew and make the sets and everything.
I can’t wait to hear if you got one of the parts! Don’t be nervous. I’m sure you will. It sounds like a lot of fun! 😉
Thanks! Yeah me too. But then sometimes I just never get around to buying the book. I really do need to get this book though. Its so good. To bad the author never has regular giveaways. They always seem to be teacher giveaways which is really annoying. I see this awesome giveaway and then it says teachers and librarians only. Did you know she just came out with a new book? It got published last month.
Thanks. I’ve been in quite a few( again letter) but I always get really nervous. Wow. I don’t think I will be getting the lead or anything. she must be pretty good. I can’t sing the best either. I can’t go very high. I always seem to get group roles. I’ll tell you when I know!
I’m a king! Lol. I have quite a few solos in songs but don’t have a lot of scenes. It looks like a pretty good part though. And I get to hang ouyt with a girl my age all the time( she’s the queen). This will be fun! Id rather be the king than the queen. We have a son named prince perfect.
Yeah. I looked up Lynda Mullay Hunt’s website. Her new book, Fish in a Tree looks really good. I should get it sometime. My library is pretty small, so they have to call the other libraries to get it in.
I seriously can’t WAIT to get your letter!!!!
Yeah, she is. The play is April 30th. I can’t wait to see it.
Congratulations, Brooke!! Or should I say, your majesty! 😉
It sounds like a lot of fun! I can’t wait to hear more about it in your letters.
Brooke, her new book is Fish in a Tree. It looks interesting.
Thanks Trisa!
It does look good. It looks like a good summer read. Yeah. My library is like medium sized. I need to get a few books from other librarys soon.
Lol. I can’t wait until you get my letter.
Cool. We only have a week to rehearse. Our first performance is this Friday. Thanks! Lol. I grant thee permission to speaketh. It is always really fun! I’ll tell you all about it in my next letter.
I GOT YOUR LETTER!! AHHH I’M SO EXCITED. I can’t wait for you to get mine!! 😀 I just put it in the mail!
i need to read this book! so many people have read it and liked it!
You really should! It’s so good! 😀
I read One For The Murphys and I love it! I really have to do a review on it. oh, and, I tried again through your contact page, but I don’t know if you got it (again) 🙂
I need help badly. We have to do a science fair project, and I can’t find anything to do. Any ideas please?
I can’t wait to see your review. I LOVED it.
I did get it, I replied to it yesterday.
Hmm… I’ll have to think of some ideas for your science fair project! I’m sure you’ll find something really fun!
I didn’t see it. (the email)
Have you read the Land of Stories? It’s really, REALLY, REALLY good!
Oh, and, what’s a good song that has figurative language in the lyrics? I can’t find one.
I really want to read this now! 🙂 And I agree with Trisha– Land of Stories is AMAZING!
I haven’t read Land of Stories :-/ What is it about? I’m going to look it up! 🙂
Dear John by Taylor Swift has a lot of figurative language. “You paint me a blue sky; And go back and turn it to rain; And I lived in your chess game; But you changed the rules everyday.” 🙂 It’s one of my favorite songs, lyrically.
On my goodness! So excited! Do you like my letter. I hope it wasn’t weird. Wow you are fast! I can’t wait to get your letter! I hope I get it before I leave. I could write you a reply while I am traveling! So excited! I can’t wait to write a reply!