Review: One for the Murphys

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Complete. Emotional. Destruction.

Carley is a foster child coming out of a pretty bad situation with her mother and stepfather. She's placed in the home of the Murphys, who are a well-oiled machine of love and kindness, and the story progresses with Carley's resistance, her resilience, her slow acceptance, and beyond. It's a beautiful book that's important without being preachy, and strikes a near perfect balance.

I have my issues with the book, many of which are outlined here, but I also didn't view this read as a factualish account, but more a story about love and kindness rather than about the foster system itself. As someone who really wants to be a foster parent in the future, this warmed me in a lot of ways, and warned me as well. No one expects it to be easy, I'm sure.

Still, regardless, this is a really beautiful book. It's going to tug at your emotions a lot, and it might do the same for the right kid picking it up, too. This is this year's Pie for me in a lot of respects - it's a great read with a great lesson and a great takeaway, and one everyone should give a good look at.



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