One For the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

This book should come with a small box of Kleenex. It is sure to make you cry. 

It starts as Carley Connors is released from the hospital into foster care. Carley does not want to go. At first she is angry, suspicious and terrified. She can't believe that happy families like this even exist. Eventually Mrs Murphy, Michael Eric, Adam, Daniel and Mr Murphy niggle their way into her heart.

I couldn't help but love all the characters: Carley, each individual in the Murphy family, Toni, and even Carley's mother.

This is a story about accepting who you really are and learning to be the best person you can be. This book is about the power of love and forgiveness. It's also about so much more than this. It is a testimony to the superpower each one of us has to make the world a better place. 

This is one I will recommend to everyone, especially my grown up friend Karen who loves these kinds of stories. 

Sigh....