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Gr 5–8—After her stepfather beats them up, Carley is placed in foster care while her hard-partying mother recovers in the hospital. Angry, frightened, and determined to be unhappy, the 12-year-old finds the Murphy family quite a change. At first she's difficult, but the kindness of Julie, the mother; easygoing Jack, the father; and the slow acceptance of their three sons predictably turn things around. There is never any doubt that the generous Mu...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Carley Connors arrives at the Murphys' home for foster care after a brutal beating by her stepfather leaves her mother hospitalized and Carley bitter and betrayed. The Murphy family is not what she is used to -- nor what she expected: she calls Mrs. Murphy "freakish" for making a special trip to buy plain orange juice just for her, for example. Carley would feel more at home with a "mother who smokes cigars and makes [her] sleep in the basement" than with this ...Log In or Sign Up to Read More

Carley Connors arrives at the Murphys' home for foster care after a brutal beating by her stepfather leaves her mother hospital...Log In or Sign Up to Read More