One for the Murphys: by Lynda Mullally Hunt, is based on a 12-year-old girl named Carly Connors who is taken away from her mother because she can not provide a safe environment. The novel begins with Carly physically abused by her stepfather and ending up in the hospital. Carly is from Las Vegas and then moves to Connecticut to temporarily live with the Murphys. As Carly arrives at the Murphy house, she meets Daniel, Micheal, Adam, and Eric, but she hesitates to bond with her foster family. Carly experiences many different emotions such as betrayal, anger, and bitterness, but she slowly adapts to her new environment and bonds with the family as the book proceeds.

At first, Carly struggles to express her emotions, make friends, and trust others. As the novel moves forward, though, Carly slowly opens up to the people around her, like the Murphys, her social worker Mrs. Mcvoy, and her friend Tori. Carly's mother believed that showing love and sadness was weak, so Carly was taught to be tough and closed off. As Carly stays with Mrs Murphy, she learns to trust, understand the world around her, and love others without shame. 

Through Carly’s development, the book creates special and inspiring moments like in Chapter 30. In an earlier chapter, Carly calls her social worker Mrs. Mcavoy and implies that she does not like living with the Murphys. Carly was trying to get back to her mother, but she soon regrets it when Mrs. Mcavoy arrives at the Murphys. Carly then has an emotional outburst as she begs to stay with the Murphys. Instead of bottling up her emotions, she finally releases them. This represents just how much Carly has bonded with Mrs Murphy. Carly learns from Mrs Murphy to confront and openly express her emotions. Julie Murphy inspires Carly to be a better person and shows her the beauty of being open with others. 

In the last chapter, Carly leaves the Murphy Family and says, “I turn away, knowing that I might never get to see Julie Murphy again. But I will know her for the rest of my life” (Hunt, 224). Carly will not forget the memories and lessons she has learned. Having started as a completely closed-off character, Carly slowly opens up through the influence of the Murphys. As a reader, I am sad that Carly leaves the Murphys but proud of her transformation. 

Carly’s relationship and journey with Julie Murphy is exceptional. Carly begins as an independent girl who fears being close to others. Eventually, Carly realizes that while leaving people is hard, not knowing them is worse – particularly when they spark a light of determination, love, and strength. One for the Murphys represents the importance of family and how family does not necessarily mean blood. Rather, family are the people who offer support, care, and guidance during difficult times.

April 2024