One For the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Reviewed by Trudy L.
Grade 8

Family. Many meanings come to mind when hearing this word, of unconditional love, trust and at times, annoyance. For twelve-year-old Carley Connors however, her "family", consisting of her new stepfather, Dennis, and her pleasure-seeking, yet loving mother, whenever she thinks of this word, she thinks of a time, an event in which her life changed dramatically.

How had Carley's life turned upside down? She was always used to shopping in Salvation Army boxes with her fun-loving mother who would treat her to ice cream afterwards, congratulating her on how in the world would she live without Carley. Carley's life had turned upside down after a heart-breaking betrayal in which Carley vaguely remembers a scuffle that involved her mother holding down her leg as Dennis was about to kick her, before she soon lost consciousness. Afterwards,she is placed with the Murphys, a family with Mrs. and Mr. Murphy and three boys, in Connecticut, a place different from where her mother and she lived (Las Vegas), and she bonds with them over time, through misunderstandings and faults, and finally, she finds peace within them, a family where she could become be one of the Murphys and belong in their family. Carley goes into 8th grade and also finds a best friend in Toni Byars, and they find out that their personalities are like each other. Unexpectedly, shocking news from her mother changes everything and Carley has to fight between who she loves more, the Murphys or her own mother, who claims that she loves her,and maybe, just maybe, life can go back to how it was before the betrayal.

Carley's strong and funny personality shines throughout the story as she bonds with the Murphys. She sees the world in different ways, such as when she figures out that "love" spelled backwards is,"evol." I loved that! Also, she learns to accept the way things are at the end of the story..not going to spoil the ending. Moreover, the author reveals a surprising revelation near the end of the story that unravels what really happened after Carley lost consciousness. The author's plot is strong and her characters well-developed, except for a few characters such as, Adam, Carley's middle foster brother, whom the author didn't go into much extent.One more thing, Michael Eric, the youngest Murphy, was adorably cute in the way he talked and through his actions.

I would recommend One For the Murphys based upon the author's funny writing style and because I connect with one of the themes of the story, "Keep moving forward." Though pain keeps us on our knees, that's the only way to grow stronger, and for your eyes to be opened to things that you've never noticed before.