Carley, twelve years old, finds herself living in a foster home, the Murphys. Her own mother is in the hospital recovering from an abusive husband (Carley's stepfather). As Carley processes the fact that her own mother held her foot so the stepfather could beat her, her toughness cannot overcome the kindness Mrs. Murphy pours on her each day.
Carley learns to take two worlds-her mother's world where being tough is supreme-and the Murphys where love and stability abound- and create an unique one for herself.
A very real portrayal of fostering families and the challenge they and the foster child may face.
I wanted the book to end differently . . .but Ms. Hunt presented an authentic picture of foster care.
Warning/Points to discuss: The scene where the stepfather beats Carley and her mother is described; lying; the youngest Murphy child has a seizure and it is described
*Highly recommend.
Guided Reading Level: Y (above 6th grade)
Grade Level Equivalency: 5th
I am looking forward to Ms. Hunt's new book Fish in a Tree about a girl who has dyslexia.
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