She's The Hero!

It started last summer.  I've always read book after book during June, July and August but the summer of 2012 was different.  I was participating in the #bookaday challenge.  I will be this year too; Donalyn Miller wrote about it yesterday on the Nerdy Book Club blog.

I was reading so fast I could not keep up with posts about them on my blog.  Then too, there were a handful of books so powerful I could not begin to express in words their meaning for me or for others readers. They are still in a small stack waiting for me to have the courage to write about them.  One of those books was by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, One for the Murphys. 

Summer ended, school started and the year was off and running.  In the middle of January Lynda Mullaly Hunt posted this tweet on Twitter.  It was a game changer for my students, their teachers and me.

Author's Confession Post--Huge giveaway for teachers and librarians. ARC, Skype, signed copies of One for the Murphyslyndamullalyhunt.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/ful…
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 19, 2013

It was followed by a series of tweets back and forth between Lynda and I.  Again, I can't stress enough the connections made on this social network between authors and illustrators and the people who wish to bring their work to readers.  This ability to converse with writers and artists still amazes me.

@loveofxena Thanks so much for the RT, Margie! Happy, happy Saturday :-)
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 19, 2013

@loveofxena & what a lovely, sweet comment it is--thanks so much, Margie. Do wish I could actually join you for hot chocolate. Some day!:-)
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 19, 2013

@loveofxenaIndeed It would.
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 19, 2013

When the deadline for the offer arrived, Lynda sent out this tweet to her followers.  Readers of her book already knew about her huge heart.  What she did for so many nearly leaves me speechless.

I just couldn't choose ONE!! The giveaway winners are:lyndamullalyhunt.wordpress.com/2013/01/18/ful…
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) January 24, 2013

When her original tweet was followed by this tweet, I literally started dancing.  I could not believe it.  I called one of our fifth grade teachers immediately.  We were like two kids laughing and talking a mile a minute; so excited by this opportunity for our students.

@lynmullalyhunt What!?Walking the dog, came in and saw this.Scurrying to the web site.
— Margie Myers-Culver (@Loveofxena) January 24, 2013

A literacy grant was already in place allowing for the purchase of a paperback copy of One for the Murphys for every fifth grade student.  In the months following the "win" all three classes read the book; the conversations between the students and their teachers were some of the best.  I reread the book, liking it even more, and wrote a review linked here.

Lynda and I continued to stay in touch via email planning for the Skype visit.  As the library filled with students eager to meet the author of a book they had shared together, anticipation was high.  I don't think any of us were prepared for how truly special April 25, 2013 would be.  As soon as I could I sent out a tweet, thanking Lynda Mullaly Hunt for one of the best author visits I have ever experienced.

@loveofxena Thanks, Margie--very sweet. :-)I loved your class--lot of enthusiasm and personality. Loved their reactions and questions. :-)
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) April 25, 2013

@loveofxenaWell, that foundation--enthusiasm-was laid before I met them #kudostoyouI like this mutual admiration society we have going
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) April 25, 2013

@loveofxena Well, it isn't every day you get perfect! :-)
— Lynda Mullaly Hunt (@LynMullalyHunt) April 25, 2013

I wish I could have recorded the event.  The personal level of information Lynda included in her presentation, how the story (One for the Murphys) came to her and how she developed it, her use of photographs and the possible covers for the book, her ease in speaking with the students and answering their questions thoughtfully and going to get her dog for part of the Skype was "one for the books".  It wasn't until I received an envelope filled with student letters two weeks ago that the full impact of her Skype was abundantly reinforced.  Here are some of the comments.

• I really liked the Skype. I had no idea you could not pick your own cover for the book.  The best part was when people read their questions and she really thought.
• I liked the Skype visit for One for the Murphys because we got to ask some really good questions about the book like for example "Why did you pick a girl to be in foster care instead of a boy?"
• My favorite part was when she told us about her next book and how it's about Toni's point of view.
• I really liked when she told us about her childhood.
• It was so cool to learn how she came up with the book. 
• What I really liked about the book was that it was all kinds of mixed emotions, like, happy, sad and tears of joy. 
• I love how she plays with words because it just makes you think harder about things.
• My favorite part was when she showed pictures of her house.
  

I know sixty plus people who will never forget April 25, 2013.  I know sixty plus people who will never forget reading One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.  These are the moments to treasure; an author connecting with her readers.  You are our hero, Lynda and we thank you with all our hearts.

To Go Or To Stay

Fiction is a bridge, a path, a window, a door and an invitation taking us to the past and the future, into the possible and the improbable, providing heart-pounding action, puzzles to ponder and scary thrills and chills.  We meet people from all walks of life, of all ages.  Creatures, real or imagined come and go; some are silent, others speak freely.

True-to-life, realistic, fiction gives us a chance to "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" building empathy or to see a reflection of ourselves helping us to not feel alone.  Readers know when storytelling is at its finest, coming from the pages of a book to surround them; the attachment strong and sure.  In her debut novel, One for The Murphys (Nancy Paulsen Books, Penguin Books for Young Readers, May 2012) Lynda Mullaly Hunt gives her readers that kind of compelling story peopled with unforgettable characters.

 Sitting in the back of the social worker's car, I try to remember how my mother has always said to never show your fear.  She'd be disappointed to see me now.  Shaking.  Just going without a fight.

Carley Connors has learned to be pretty tough (at least on the outside) and self-reliant having spent the twelve years of her life with her mom in Las Vegas.  They've recently moved to Connecticut staying in her late grandfather's condo along with her abusive step-father of 384 days.  Against her own better judgment Carley begins slinging verbal taunts his way one evening which lands both she and her mother in the hospital.  Carley leaves to stay in foster care. Her mother stays too badly injured to leave.

Living with the Murphy family is almost too good to be true.  The two youngest of the three boys, redheaded Adam and little Michael Eric welcome Carley into their lives easily; inviting her to join in their play and loving her superhero games with them.  Mrs. Murphy, Julie, the anchor of the family, offers Carley, a rare kindness, understanding and gentleness she has never known.

All is not smooth sailing though.  Daniel, the oldest, near her age, wishes she would leave feeling unsettled by all the attention she is receiving.  A fire chief, spending most of his days and some nights at the firehouse, Mr. Murphy wants what is best for his family.  He is unsure about her presence in his home.

As days stretch into weeks again and again Carley is struck by the contrasts of living with this family, attending middle school and making a best friend to the only life she has ever known with her mother.  She is torn between the past and loyalty and the love she is receiving and yes, beginning to give in return.  And Carley hides secrets; a secret about the night she was beaten and the secret of her foster care from her classmate.

As her mother's health improves she makes a request of Carley intensifying her inner conflicts even more.  She is going to be forced to make a decision she does not want to make. Fortified by support from her steadfast Broadway musical-loving friend, Toni, and the unconditional love of Mrs. Murphy, Carley begins to acknowledge her true strengths, coming to the realization she never has to settle for second best.  She, Carley Connors, holds the key to her future.  She has, she can and she will be someone's hero.


Within fifty chapters, through Carley's voice and thoughts we enter her life, completely and without reservation.  We experience her personal turmoil laughing at her witty jokes (sometimes made to hide her hurt), feeling her fears and crying when her heart breaks.  Through dialogue so real it breathes each of the other characters come alive before our eyes.  It is Carley's interaction with each of them and they with each other that raises this story to its memorable status.  Lynda Mullaly Hunt uses no extra words; every word counts, giving meaning to the moment.  Here are a couple of the many passages I marked in this book.

He pauses and says, "I whaled him, Mommy, but he deserved it."
I think that it's funny to have "whaled him" and "Mommy" in the same sentence, and I decide that I like Adam.
She tilts her head. "What have we said about this?"
"I'm supposed to protect him 'cause he's my brother."
"That's right.  Brothers stick together, right? Family looks out for family."
I stand in a place with no space.
My stomach has such a longing in it that I want to throw up.
The tone, the look on her face and the look on his, a gentle brush of his hair.
A kiss on top of the head. I struggle to decipher a foreign language.  She's looking at him like she's seeing the best thing ever. Even though he's done something wrong.


And that's the thing.  Most of the time, it wasn't like my mother told me I was anything---good or bad.  But when Mrs. Murphy tells me I'm smart, I am.  When she tells me I'm funny, I am.  When she tells me how thoughtful I am, I become that way.  I swear, if she told me I was a duck, I'd be checking in my high tops for webbed feet.


One For The Murphys written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is one of the most powerful books I have ever read about foster care and family.  Having read it twice I can say with all honesty with each reading the story and characters grow in richness.  Flawed but fearless in their fondness, love, for one another each person will linger in your mind.

To discover more about Lynda Mullaly Hunt follow the link embedded in her name above.  Here is a link to a teacher's guide she developed for this title.  Below is the book trailer and an interesting and amazing video interview.  Here is a link to another interview Lynda Mullaly Hunt gave at Cynsations.