Get out your Kleenex

I hardly ever, ever, ever get choked up at a book, but One for the Murphys by Lynda Mulally Hunt was an exception.  After being horrifically betrayed by her mother and abused by her stepfather, Carley is placed in a foster home: Mr. and Mrs. Murphy and their three sons.  She really doesn't want to be there and is convinced that she's not worthy of the love and respect shown to her, especially by Mrs. Murphy, who seems (to Carley) too good to be true.  Carley eventually warms up to the family and even makes a friend at school, but then...but THEN...she visits her mom in the hospital and no longer is sure of where she belongs - with her mom (stepdad is now out of the picture), whom she still loves but who got her in this foster situation?  With the Murphys, who offer a warm, safe environment?  Short chapters keep this book moving quickly, and Carley's first-person narrative will tug at your heart.

She wants to be my friend...what's the catch?

I really liked the strength of the main character, Kate, in Hot Girl by Dream Jordan.  Kate is fourteen, and after getting moved from one foster home to another, her life is finally settling down - she gets along pretty well with her foster parents, her grades are good, and she's got a great friend, Felicia.  After Felicia goes on a trip for the summer, Kate's on her own.  She's not sure why she's befriended by super stylish fly-girl Naleejah, but Kate's not complaining when the make-over Naleejah gives her catches the eye of Charles, Kate's long-time crush.  Something is up, though, and if Kate can't keep her actions under control, she's liable to lose the stability her current foster home is finally offering.  What is she willing to risk?  The voices, thoughts, and conflicts in this book are wonderfully authentic and the character development is great.  A super book, especially for older middle school to high school girls.

A book to savor

I tend to read quickly - probably because there are so many books I want to get to - but I wanted to slow down while reading The Mailbox by Audrey Shafer.  I knew what the story was about, but I was surprised by how moving it was.  Gabe is a sixth-grader who has been shuffled between foster homes for years.  He finally ends up living with Uncle Vernon, a Vietnam veteran he's never met, who's cranky, gruff, and amazingly caring.  One day Gabe comes home and discovers his uncle has died.  Gabe is overwhelmed and tells nobody, but then the body disappears and he starts to receive mysterious notes.  As Gabe corresponds with the secret letter writer and copes with his uncle's death, he's surrounded by a the routine of school, a good friend, a wonderful dog, and caring and compassionate adults.