Tuesday, April 17, 2012

One for the Murphys-Lynda Mullaly Hunt

One for the Murphys


Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Nancy Paulsen Books, May 10 2012, $16.99

ISBN: 9780399256158



In Las Vegas, three hundred and eighty-four days ago, Carley Connors’s manipulative mom informs her that she is marrying her boyfriend Dennis. However, recently Dennis in a rage beat up twelve yeas old Carley’s mom leaving the woman in the hospital and the tweener in the foster care system.



Case worker Mrs. MacAvoy blathers on how lucky Carley is to be placed with the Murphy family. The child distrusts the seemingly pleasant kindhearted family. However, over time Carley comes to love her caring foster mother who along with her three kids and husband make sure she is welcomed as one of them as does her new BFF Toni. All is perfect until mom wants her daughter back.



This is a strong tweener contemporary drama starring a young girl who contrasts her two lifestyles. Carley is superb as she holds the storyline together with her slow acceptance that the Murphy quintet want her to stay as she struggles to accept they especially the matriarch love her as one of them. Although her wry asides at times seem too mature for her age, though one could argue her past aged her rapidly, tweeners will enjoy the heroine’s transition from no hope for the future to true believer in a wonderful future due mostly to one giving mom.



Harriet Klausner





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