One for the Murphys

By Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Reviewed by Seha Park
Fall 2016

Review: One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
ISBN: 0142426520

The story: Carley Connors is twelve years old and growing up with her mother in Las Vegas. But Carley gets betrayed by her mother who is the most important to Carley. She stays in a foster care and believes that the happy family never exists. She feels that she could not belong to Murphys, when she becomes a foster kid of Murphys because they are so warm. So she tries not to be close with Murphys, which has three boys. At first, Carley feels remorse for what she’d been Murphys because there was a boy, Daniel
who has similar age with her. But Mrs. Murphys relieves her anxiety, tries to hear her voice, and helps her adapt to Murphys. Carley protects the boys from bully, teaches Daniel how to play basketball, and puts them to sleep, reading the book they chose. Carley starts to open her mind. The three boys and Carley depend on each other for help and also makes a new friend, Toni after solving misunderstanding. Now she feels like she could be one of the Murphys and everything is going well. But she thinks that she is ruining a happy family since she heard that Mr. and Mrs. Murphys are fighting because of her. Carley calls Mrs. MacAvoy and meets her mother in the hospital. Her mother asks her that she wants to live with Murphys or not. Carley is not sure whether she wants to stay with Murphys or to start living with her mother again. Finally, she moves back into Las Vegas with her mother, even though she really misses Murphys. (264)

My opinion: People will like this book in regardless of their ages. It is a heartwarming story and shows the true meaning of a family. And the most impressive part of this book was when Mrs. Murphys protects Carley from some questions from the police that could remain as a pain. Eleven year old is the best age for this book. They would be able to realize what a veritable family is. They would probably have a similar worry and need an advice for it in that age. I would choose this book many times over even if I could go back in time. I think that Carley learned how to keep or make relationships while she moved in to Murphys. And I think keeping a good relationship is one of the most important abilities in life. The number of stars this book deserves to get is nine. Everything was great. I could know how the foster kids feels when they meet a new family, how they live, how they could be treated, and how a new family should approach to them in detail, but that a child’s delicate heart often used to get hurt by an immature adult was so pitiful. (200)

STUDY QUESTIONS AND VOCABULARY:

FIRST SECTION

1. Why did Carley think it was funny when refs made a call against her?

1a. Because other mothers used to tell her that it was inappropriate, which only made her louder but Carley’s mother had tell the refs to go back to reffing blind man’s basketball. (pg.14)

2. Lying is wrong, but why Mrs. Murphy thought that she is supposed to lie?

2a. Mrs. Murphy believes that God never wants to hurt someone else’s feelings. (pg.26)

3. Why did Carley get scared at shopping mall?

3a. She felt like Mrs. Murphy can see the things she had kept hidden. (pg.41)

4. What is the similarity between police officers and firefighters?

4a. They must be brave. (pg.58)

5. What was Carley’s thought about Toni’s T-shirt?

5a. Toni’s T-shirt is warning to people about her personality. (pg.74)

long (pg.12)

fluster (pg.25)

flake (pg.39)

rant (pg.53)

poignant (pg. 70)

MIDDLE SECTION

6. How did Carley realize that she loves Michael Eric?

6a. Carley didn’t want Michael Eric to die and prayed to God for saving him from seizure. (pg.83)

7. How can you know that Carley is indecisive over her mom and Mrs. Murphy?

7a. There are two songs on the CD’s list. The one is about her mom and the other one is about Mrs. Murphy. She is wondering which song she’ll choose when she goes to sleep. And she felt that she is in their care.(pg.96-97)

8. What is Toni’s real name and how could she tell Carley her real name?

8a. Toni’s real name is charity. She could tell her real name only to Carley. Because she thought Carley is her best friend. (pg.116)

9. Why did Carley call to Mrs. MacAvoy?

9a. Because Carley heard that Mr. and Mrs. Murphy were talking about. They talked about she will stay or go back to her mom. And they predicted that she will leave their house so Carley felt like she must get out before they say to her. (pg.126-127)

10. Why did Carley emphasize the everything is an attitude to make Daniel understanding why he needs to act like he can do anything when he walks onto basketball court?

10a. Because other people will start treating Daniel that way, if he put off vibes that he can handle himself, even if he knows he can’t. It is the point of lying to myself. (pg.143)

urgent (pg.79)

wilt (pg.90)

tormenting  (pg.106)

humiliating (pg.122)

magnify (pg.145)

                               

LAST SECTION

11. What can Carley and Toni have whatever they want in their lives?

11a. It’s only a matter of deciding. (pg.154)

12. WHat did Carley do when Mrs. Murphy was puking in the bathroom?

12a. Carley gathered the kids around her and read the book what they picked up. (pg.169)

13. What is a happy family that Carley knows?

13a. It is about the feeling like someone cares if she’s okay. (pg.185)

14. What would Carley want to be in the future?

14a. Carley wants to go to college and to do become a teacher. Then, she will be someone’s hero and have a happy life. (pg.200)

15. What did Toni give to Murphy at a going-away party and what did Carley promise Toni ?

15a. Toni gave Carley New York jacket and wicked CD. Carley promised that if Toni could be Elphaba on stage in New York someday. She will be there. (pg.216-217)

delirious (pg.153)

excruciate (pg.174)

paramount (pg.189)

linger (pg.210)

blotchy (pg.224)