Tween Tuesday: One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

5 wonderful double chocolate chip cookies.

Cover Love:  Yes!  I love this cover.  I love the colors, and the solitude of the girl.  However it all works together to not be depressing.

Why I Wanted to Read This:  I first heard about this in an #ewyagc chat I participate in on Twitter.  There was a Penguin tweeter on there that was raving about this book.  Soon after that I was contacted by the AUTHOR HERSELF to participate in the blog tour for this book.Needless to say I was thrilled to say yes.  Here's the synopsis from GoodReads:

A moving debut novel about a foster child learning to open her heart to a family's love

Carley uses humor and street smarts to keep her emotional walls high and thick. But the day she becomes a foster child, and moves in with the Murphys, she's blindsided. This loving, bustling family shows Carley the stable family life she never thought existed, and she feels like an alien in their cookie-cutter-perfect household. Despite her resistance, the Murphys eventually show her what it feels like to belong--until her mother wants her back and Carley has to decide where and how to live. She's not really a Murphy, but the gifts they've given her have opened up a new future.

I Kept Reading Because: I couldn't stop!

Romance?: No, but still a lot of love.

What I Liked (& Didn't):

I am not sure whether the author has first hand experience of being a foster child or just interviewed a lot of them but Carly is very well written.  Her voice is so authentic and real and heart wrenching.  Wow.  It is a very emotional read.

Mrs. Murphy was so vulnerable as well.  She was patient and kind and truly fell in love with Carly.  They were a very good match.

Giving Carly a glimpse into a different kind of family life definitely changed her.  It was so interesting to see things from her perspective.  Although I have taught kids like Carly for years where neglect is the form of abuse they endure, I always for get that they don't get to see a "normal" family life.  This small glimpse of normalcy and calm was so vital and came for Carly at the perfect time in her life.  I think that she was just old enough for this to really make an impression and for her to take steps towards changing her future as well.

Warning:  you will cry at various times throughout this book!  There were happy tears and sad tears but this book brought out the emotions for sure.  It was just so well written.  I am excited to read the next book that Ms. Hunt publishes.  She has got some talent she does!

To Sum Up:  Definitely a book for my library.  This one will be fun to book talk and I know it will get heavy rotation.  Good stuff for sure!

Book received from Penguin for participation in the blog tour for One For The Murphys.  Please check back in May for a guest Food From Fiction post by the author!

Tween Tuesday was created and is hosted by Sarah, the GreenBeanTeenQueen.  Check her out!